Bound By Power

Epilogue (II)

Elena's eyes sparkled with awe as she turned in circles, her long hair swaying behind her. "This place... it's like a storybook," she whispered, breathless.

Damien didn't answer. He simply watched her-her smile, her joy, her light-and his chest ached with something he couldn't name. "It is," he finally said, voice low. "And you're the main character."

They spent their first evening watching the sunset from their private balcony, sipping fresh coconut water as the sky blushed in shades of lavender and coral. Elena tucked her feet under her and leaned on Damien's shoulder. The world felt far away-quiet, soft, and undisturbed.

---

The next morning, they boarded a small plane that flew them deep into the heart of the Amazon rainforest. As the canopy stretched endlessly below them, Elena pressed her face to the window, wide-eyed like a child.

The jungle welcomed them with its untamed symphony: chirping cicadas, distant howls, and the rustle of life hidden behind every leaf. Guided by locals, they wandered through dense emerald trails, marveling at towering trees and exotic wildlife. Damien, usually composed and unreadable, laughed when a colorful parrot swooped near Elena, startling her into a shriek.

They rode an open-roof jeep for the safari, cameras in hand, snapping pictures of everything-monkeys swinging from branches, butterflies landing on Damien's shoulder, and a baby jaguar watching them silently from behind thick vines.

"You're going to show these pictures to the baby one day," Elena beamed, scrolling through the images on the camera screen.

"And tell them their mother was the bravest explorer I've ever known," Damien replied with a smirk.

---

On the third day, they explored the bustling markets of Rio-woven hammocks, handmade jewelry, vibrant fabrics, and paintings that captured the soul of Brazil. Elena picked out a tiny woven bracelet, pink and green, and tied it on Damien's wrist.

"For good luck," she said.

"You're my good luck," he whispered back.

They bought wooden toys and little clothes from a local shop, Elena carefully selecting the softest onesies with tiny stars embroidered on them. Damien watched her, a small smile tugging at his lips, even as a strange heaviness tugged at the back of his mind.

That night, the two of them sat under the open sky in a rooftop restaurant, wrapped in fairy lights and quiet music. The ocean stretched endlessly before them as they shared a slow, candlelit dinner. Elena laughed, sipped sweet wine, and occasionally rubbed her stomach unconsciously, even though no bump had formed yet.

Damien reached across the table and took her hand, threading their fingers together.

"Do you feel it already?" he asked.

"I don't need to feel the bump. I already feel the love," she replied softly.

---

Their final night in Brazil arrived with a comforting drizzle outside their beachside villa. The two of them sat curled under a blanket in front of a small fireplace, a mug of hot cocoa in Elena's hands, and Damien's arms around her shoulders.

"So..." she began, eyes glinting mischievously, "we have to talk about names."

Damien groaned. "Again?"

Elena grinned. "If it's a girl... I want to name her Anara. It means blessing in a beautiful language."

Damien lifted an eyebrow. "Not bad. But if it's a boy, I say we name him Evander. It means pure and strong."