Chapter 335 The morning

Chapter 335: Chapter 335 The morning

Talia’s POV

I woke to warmth on my face.

It was soft and golden, and it pulled me from the depths of sleep like a gentle hand reaching into the darkness. I blinked, and I felt the light against my skin. It was warm and soothing, and I felt safe and at peace.

I could feel the heat of sunlight on my skin. I mean, real sunlight.

Not the gray sky of the Ashen Lands, not the flickering torchlight of the dungeon, and not the darkness of the tunnel. Just the sun that felt warm and golden and real.

I opened my eyes, and I saw the morning light streaming through the window. The fire had burned down to embers, and the room was filled with a soft, golden glow. Dust motes danced in the light, and I could see the shadows shifting as the sun climbed higher in the sky.

I smiled, as I remembered that I was home.

I turned my head, and I saw him.

Kaelen was lying beside me, with his eyes still closed. His face was peaceful in sleep, and I could see the love in the lines of his face. His arm was still wrapped around me, and I felt the warmth of his body against mine. His breathing was slow and steady, and I could feel his heart beating against my back.

I watched him for a moment, and I felt the tears burning in my eyes. He had been through so much. He had followed me into the darkness, and he had brought me out. He had fought beside me, and he had carried me when I could not walk. He had never given up on me, not once.

I reached up, and I touched his face. His skin was warm beneath my fingers, and I felt the stubble on his jaw.

He stirred, and I saw his eyes opening. They were gray and soft, and I saw the love in them.

"Talia?" he whispered with a soft smile, and his voice was rough with sleep.

I smiled, and I felt the tears streaming down my face. "Good morning, Kaelen."

He blinked, and I saw the confusion in his eyes. Then he looked at the window, at the sunlight streaming through the glass, and I saw the realization dawning on his face.

"We are home," he said, and his voice was filled with wonder.

I nodded, and I felt the tears streaming down my face. "Yes, Kaelen. We are home."

He pulled me closer, and I felt his arms wrapping around me. "I did not think I would ever see sunlight like this again," he said. "I did not think I would ever feel this again."

I pressed my face into his chest, and I felt the warmth of his body against mine. "Neither did I, Kaelen. Neither did I."

We lay there for a moment, holding each other, and I felt the warmth of the sun on my skin. It was real. It was all real. The Ashen Lands were behind us, the dungeon was behind us, and we were home.

We did not speak for a long time, because there were no words that needed to be said. We just lay there, holding each other, and I felt the warmth of the sun and the warmth of his body.

The room was quiet, and the world was still. I could hear the birds singing outside, and I could smell the fresh air coming through the window. The curtains stirred in the breeze, and I could see the leaves on the trees outside.

I closed my eyes, and I let myself feel the moment.

"I never thought I would feel this again," I whispered.

Kaelen pressed his lips to my forehead. "Feel what?"

I opened my eyes, and I looked at him. "Peace," I said. "I never thought I would feel peace again."

He smiled, and I saw the love in his gray eyes. "You deserve this, Talia. You deserve all of this."

I shook my head. "We deserve this, Kaelen. All of us. You, me, my mother, Piper, Jax, Silas, Cain. All of us."

He pulled me closer, and I felt his arms tightening around me. "Then let us enjoy it," he said. "Let us enjoy this moment."

I nodded, and I pressed my face into his chest.

The sun was warm on my skin, and the world was quiet.

I was home. I was finally home.

And for this moment, that was enough.

"Kaelen," I said, and my voice was soft. "What time is it?"

He looked at the window, and I saw the smile on his face. "Late morning, I think. We slept through the night."

I laughed, and I felt the joy in my chest. "We slept through the night. We actually slept through the night."

He nodded, and I saw the happiness in his eyes. "Yes, Talia. We did."

I looked at the window, at the sunlight streaming through the glass, and I felt the hope rising in my chest. "I should check on my mother," I said. "She might be awake."

Kaelen nodded, and I felt his arms loosening around me. "Go. I will be here when you come back."

I looked at him, and I felt the love in my chest. "Thank you, Kaelen. For everything."

He smiled, and I saw the love in his eyes. "You do not have to thank me, Talia. I will always be here."

I leaned in, and I pressed my lips to his. He kissed me back, soft and gentle, and I felt the warmth spreading through my chest.

"I love you," I said.

He smiled. "I love you too, Talia."

I climbed out of bed, and I walked to the window. I looked out at the valley, at the mountains in the distance, and at the blue sky above.

The sun was warm on my face, and I felt the tears streaming down my cheeks.

I was home.