Last of Her Kind (Book 1, Part 1, of the LAST series)

pain of the protectors

“I’m sorry,” I repeated, my voice breaking between laughs and sobs. “I swear, I’m not... or maybe I am. Maybe I am losing it.”

“You’re not. Even if you were, I’d still be here,” he said, pulling me into a tight embrace. His voice was warm, grounding me as he held me close. “You’re safe with me, oani. I’m not going anywhere.”

I sniffled, the laughter finally subsiding. My breaths came out shaky as I pulled back slightly, looking up at him. “Do you really think it’ll be okay?”

“With everything in me,” he said, his voice firm. “You’ll never be alone. Not now, not ever. And if, by some chance, you do find yourself trapped in that nightmare again, I’ll be right here to bring you back. To bring you home.”

“You swear it?” I whispered, my eyes searching his for reassurance.

“I swear it,” he said, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. “You are my home, and I am yours.”

A wave of exhaustion washed over me, and Sorin seemed to sense it. “You need to rest,” he said gently. “You haven’t been sleeping.”

“I can’t,” I said, shaking my head. “Every time I close my eyes, the nightmares are all I see.”

Sorin sighed and took my hand, leading me over to the bed. He pulled back the covers and sat against the headboard, opening his arms to me. “Come here,” he said softly.

I hesitated, my body tense with the fear of what sleep might bring. “It won’t make a difference.”

“Trust me,” he said with a smirk. I sighed, nodding as I crawled into his arms. The moment he wrapped them around me, I felt an immediate sense of safety, his warmth seeping into my skin as he held me close.

“When this is all over,” he whispered, “we’re going somewhere, just the two of us.”

I smiled at the thought. “Where would we go?”

“To the water,” he said simply.

“The water?” I raised an eyebrow, laughing softly. “Why there?”

“Why not?” he replied with a playful grin. “The water is peaceful. The sound of the waves, the smell of the salt air... it’s always been one of my favorite places.” He pulled me closer, his hand gently tracing patterns on my arm. “Now sleep. I’ll be here, keeping the nightmares away.”

And for the first time in a long time, I believed him. My eyes slowly fluttered shut as his steady heartbeat lulled me into the first peaceful rest I’d had in what felt like forever.

***

I inhaled, stirring awake. A hand rubbed my back soothingly, causing me to smile. Looking up, I was met with Sorin’s tired, yet beautiful eyes looking at me. He smiled. “Any nightmares?” his voice rasped.

I shook my head. “Not one. Did you get any sleep?”

He shook his head. “I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

Could he be anymore…amazing? I was so happy. Leaning up, I placed a delicate kiss on his lips. He cupped my face, biting my lower lip.