Chapter 124: I love you.
~Ava's POV~
I reach out my hand, wanting to touch Raphael's hair. It feels strange to move my body after being trapped with Alasia, the Rift and the lantern for so long. My fingers tremble as they make contact with his soft white curls.
Raphael moves and lifts his head. His eyes widen when he sees me awake. Those beautiful gray eyes that I've missed so much are now filled with shock and disbelief.
"Ava," he whispers. His voice sounds different. There's an echo to it that wasn't there before, like two voices speaking at once.
"I'm here," I say. My voice comes out hoarse from lack of use. "I'm really here." I am still stunned. It has been so long.
He reaches for a glass of water on the bedside table and helps me drink. The cool liquid soothes my dry throat.
"How do you feel?" he asks, his eyes never leaving mine.
"Strange," I admit. "Like I've been sleeping for a very long time. But also like I've been watching everything from inside that lantern."
His face changes slightly. It's subtle, but I notice. There's something different about him. The way he holds himself, the way he speaks. I remember what I had heard—Raphael and Grey had merged. They were now one being.
"You're different," I say, studying his face.
He nods slowly. "I am not just Raphael anymore. Grey and I... we became one to save you." He looks sad and lost. I want to console him.
"I know," I whisper. "I saw it all. I heard everything while I was in the lantern."
Raphael looks surprised. "Everything?"
"Well, most of it. I watched you train with Drogon. I saw how hard you worked to control your new powers."
He takes my hand in his. His skin feels cooler than I remember, but still familiar. "It was the only way to bring you back. The ritual under the full moon required both our powers combined."
I squeeze his hand. "Thank you for not giving up on me."
A small smile appears on his face. "I would never give up on you, Ava."
There's a knock on the door, and Drogon enters the room. His face brightens when he sees me awake.
"The sleeping beauty awakens," he says with a warm smile. "How are you feeling?"
"Like I've been put back together," I reply honestly.
Drogon nods. "In a way, you have been. Your soul was trapped in the Rift and then the Lantern while your body remained here. The ritual reconnected them."
"Will I be normal again?" I ask, feeling uncertainty creep in. I am scared.
Drogon exchanges a look with Raphael before answering. "You will need time to adjust. Your body and soul were separated for months. But yes, with time, you should feel normal again."
I try to sit up, and Raphael helps me, placing pillows behind my back. I notice the chamber for the first time. It's decorated with light-colored fabrics and fresh flowers.
"How long have I been here?" I ask.
"Two days," Raphael answers. "The ritual was successful, but it took time for your soul to fully reconnect with your body."
I remember seeing others at the ritual. "Callie? Anastasia? Gwen? Are they here?"
Raphael nods. "They've been taking turns watching over you. Gwen has barely left your side. I had to convince her to get some rest."
My heart warms at the thought of my friends waiting for me to wake up. "And the Fae children? The ones who were at the ritual?"
"They helped channel the moonlight," Drogon explains. "Their connection to nature made them important for the ritual. They've returned to their homes now."
I look at Raphael again, really studying him. His features are the same, but there's something in his eyes that speaks of Grey too.
"I need to learn about you," I say quietly. "About who you are now."
He understands immediately. "I am still me, Ava. But I am also Grey. His memories, his strengths, they are part of me now. It's like having two lifetimes of experiences."
"Does it hurt?" I ask, concerned.
He shakes his head. "Not anymore. At first, it was overwhelming. That's why I needed the training with Drogon. To learn how to balance both parts of myself."
Drogon moves toward the door. "I'll let the others know you're awake. They've been worried."
After he leaves, I reach for Raphael's face, tracing his features with my fingertips. "I missed you so much."
"I missed you more," he says, leaning into my touch. "Having you trapped. Your body here so close yet unreachable... it was torture."
"But you carried me everywhere," I say with a small smile. "You never put the lantern down." I say, trying to distract him. I don't want to be reminded of Alasia. If I did, then I would have to think of them.
He looks surprised again. "You really could see everything."
"Everything," I confirm. "I saw how hard you worked. How you never gave up."
Tears fill his eyes. "I couldn't lose you, Ava. Not after everything we've been through."
There's another knock, and the door bursts open. Gwen rushes in, her face lit up with joy.
"Ava!" she cries, running to the bed. She stops just short of jumping on me, remembering my condition. "You're really back!"
I open my arms and she hugs me gently. "My sweet pumpkin," I whisper, stroking her hair.
Callie enters after her, tears streaming down her face. "Welcome back, my lady," she says, her voice breaking with emotion.
More visitors arrive—Anastasia and the mysterious woman I couldn't recognize from the ritual, and others. The chamber fills with voices and laughter and tears of joy.
Through it all, Raphael stays by my side, his hand never leaving mine. I feel the connection between us, stronger than before. Despite everything that's changed, our bond remains.
I have not felt Maya. I have tried reaching out to her but I have gotten nothing back. I can't help but wonder if the Rift, or the curse, did more than just trap me. What if it hurt her? What if I came back... alone?
Later, when everyone has gone and we're alone again, Raphael lies beside me on the bed, careful not to disturb my still-recovering body.
"What happens now?" I ask, resting my head on his chest.
"Now we heal," he says simply. "Both of us. I'm still learning to control these new powers, and you need to regain your strength."
"And after that?"
He kisses the top of my head. "After that, we live, Ava. You as queen by my side. We face whatever comes next, together."
I close my eyes, feeling safe in his arms. After months of being trapped, watching life happen around me without being able to participate, I'm finally back where I belong.
With my mate, who crossed the boundaries between life and death to bring me home.
"I love you," I whisper. "Both parts of you." I add, so he understands I don't judge him. Not just yet.
His arms tighten around me. "And we love you. More than anything in this world or any other."
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