His Little Fae

Doorways (I)

"Real love is when you can't exist without someone
When you'd rather die than be apart.

When the whole world goes dark and nothing else matters but the person standing in front of you."
___________________

I had gone to visit Gabriel one more time after that entire fiasco with Livius settled and everything that came after was concluded. There was still an odd scent of blood that hung in the air that no one questioned but my subconscious still took note of. After a brief conversation, and several curse words, it became even more clear that he had no intention of ever telling me where the remaining Fae were.

I told him I'd come back in three days and he'd shrugged. After another pointless back and forth, I scowled, gave him the finger, and strode out of the dungeons.

That was five days ago.

Since then, Livius has more or less raised no issues with my visits to our prisoner, and has been more concerned with how to deal with the lurking vampires and eerily silent fae along with when to schedule my coronation with the ongoing threat.

When he'd said that word, my heart sank. Coronation.

I never thought I'd ever have one of my own, but I'd been proven wrong. Of course, I had made things a bit more complicated when I told him I wanted a wedding, thereby pushing it back even further. He bitched about it for a hot second, before fully glancing at me. I'm not sure what he saw in my eyes, but he quickly sighed, changed his mind, and planned accordingly.

Speaking honestly, I'm a bit miffed I'll never get an actual proposal, but there were bigger things to worry about.

Like... how Victoria was actually a nice fuckin person when you save her life and she starts liking you. Or how Sebastian was trying to convince me to make him my "Man of Honor" even though Livius made it clear that all these plans were months ahead. Plus, what is that?

Still, I had gotten so preoccupied with all this, and with Livius' presence, and with Mrs. Valentina's doting, and Victoria's friendliness that I'd forgotten about my words to Gabriel. He probably thought I'd decided not to return. I doubted he would tell me anything really, but maybe if I started flinging him around, he'd start talking.

When Livius rolled over in bed that morning and asked what I'd be doing today, I mentioned visiting him. If I was to hold him accountable when he lied to me, then that meant I had to tell the truth as well, even if he wouldn't like it.

Besides, we both knew when the other lied now, so it was pretty much pointless. He'd just stick a guard to me for the next three weeks, and then I'd get mad at him, and then the bond would slap us both around for being angry.

Still, after he got dressed in his usual well-tailored suit and I did him the kind favor of tying his tie, he'd peppered me with kisses and told me to stay safe. I still remembered the feel of his arms around my waist and how empty I felt when he let go.

I wish he hadn't. I wish he'd stayed that day. I wish he didn't have a meeting with his company. I wish he'd been home. Or simply close by.

When he said "I love you," I had smiled, given him another peck, like I always did, and returned the words. That was a relief at least. But if I had known it would've been the last time for a while, I would've done more.

I would've curled my arms around his lean torso, pressed my cheek against his chest, and listened to the relieving sound of his strong heartbeat beneath his suit. I would've taken his hand and tugged him back to bed even though he was late. I would've never let him leave.