Chapter 205 The Argument Pt 2

Chapter 205: Chapter 205 The Argument Pt 2

Talia’s POV

I could picture us already, as a small column of riders moving through the forest under the cover of darkness, with the only sounds the soft thud of hooves on earth, and the creak of leather saddles.

I nodded. "That is smart."

I could see the relief in his eyes, and the small flicker of approval that I had agreed with his decision. He was always trying to protect me, even in the small things.

He smiled, just a little.

Then he told me about the rest of the plan. "I will go in with the warriors, and i will handle the attack. While you will stay back with Piper and wait outside."

I stared at him in shock,

I felt my heart drop into my stomach, and I could not believe what I had just heard. He wanted me to stay behind while he went into danger? He wanted me to wait while he risked his life?

"What?" I said, finally.

"I need you to be safe," he said. "I cannot lose you."

I stood up.

The words came out before I could stop them, and I could feel the anger rising in my chest. I had come too far to be pushed aside now.

The fire in the hearth roared behind me, casting my shadow long and dark against the wall, and I felt like that shadow was finally matching the woman I had become, someone who would no longer stand quietly in the background while the people she loved made decisions about her life without her.

"I am not staying back, Kaelen, I am going in with you." I countered.

"Talia..." Kaelen started to say.

"No." My voice was firm.

I looked him in the eyes, and I let him see the determination in mine. I was not the same scared girl who had arrived at Blackmoor Valley. I had grown, I had fought, and I had earned my place beside him.

"I am not that girl anymore. I did not train with

Cain for days, just to sit on the sidelines. I did not survive the trials and the battle, and everything else, just to wait outside while you do all the fighting."

"Talia, listen to me... " Kaelen called.

He tried to interrupt, but I was not going to let him. I had been silenced for too long, and pushed aside for too long. This time, I was going to be heard.

"No, you listen to me." I stepped closer, and I looked him in the eyes.

I could see the frustration in his eyes, but I could also see the love that he was scared. He was scared of losing me, and I was scared of losing him too.

"This is my mother, my mission, and my fight. I am going in, and you are not going to stop me."

Kaelen’s jaw tightened. His eyes flashed with frustration. "You do not understand, Talia. I cannot lose you."

"You will not lose me," I said, and my voice was softer now. "Because we are going to do this together as partners, as mates, and as equals."

We stared at each other.

Neither of us spoke for a long moment. I could hear my own heartbeat in my ears, loud and insistent, but I did not look away.

The tension was thick in the air, and I could see the war in his eyes. He wanted to protect me, and he wanted to keep me safe. But he also knew that I was not going to back down.

He pulled me into his arms and kissed me.

His lips were warm and insistent, and I felt the passion in his touch. It was like he was trying to pour all of his fear and love into that single moment.

It was fierce and desperate. And when he pulled back, he rested his forehead against mine.

I could feel his breath on my lips, warm and unsteady. He was still afraid, but he was willing to trust me. And that meant more than anything.

"Fine," he said. "Together."

I smiled. "Together."

He kissed me again, softer this time. His hands moved to my waist, pulling me closer. I wrapped my arms around his neck, and I let myself sink into the warmth of his embrace.

I needed this honestly, and I needed him.

We lay down on the bed together, tangled in each other’s arms.

I could feel the steady beat of his heart beneath my ear, and I let it anchor me. This was where I belonged, in his arms, with him.

He held me close, and I rested my head on his chest.

His heartbeat was still very steady beneath my ear, and I let myself memorize the sound of it, the feel of his chest rising and falling against my cheek, because I knew that in the days ahead there would be moments when I would need to remember this peace to keep myself from falling apart.

The fire crackled in the hearth, and the shadows danced on the walls.

I had argued with him, I had fought for what I wanted, and I had won.

And now, we would face this together, no matter what.