Chapter 225

225 Homecoming

Mara

The second I saw his face-filthy, bruised, beautiful-I couldn’t breathe. Relief slammed into me so hard my knees nearly gave out. My punch had landed before recognition did, and now all I could do was cry.

He caught me, arms wrapping around me like they were meant to hold every shattered piece of me.

“Why did you stay away so long?” I sobbed into his chest. My voice cracked open with all the nights I’d spent alone, staring into silence and imagining the worst.

I had been ready to leave everything behind. My bags were packed. I would’ve walked straight into Mistwood, dangers be damned, just to find him. Just to see him.

“Mara,” he whispered against my hair, the way someone says a prayer they thought they’d never get to say again. His lips. pressed to the side of my head. Then his hand found my belly-gentle, reverent-and lingered on the small bump.