Todos los capítulos de Between Thirst and Love : Capítulo 81 - Capítulo 89

Damien's POVThe lake house was quieter than I remembered.Perhaps it was because Elara and I had returned under such different circumstances. The last time we had been here, we had watched lanterns drift across the night sky, their golden light reflecting on the water. For a little while, we had forgotten the secrets between us.Now, Elara sat by the window, staring out at the lake without seeming to see it.I wanted to ask what she was thinking, but I doubted she would answer. Since the attack on the Donovan mansion, she had become withdrawn, speaking only when necessary. Even then, her voice carried a distant quality, as though part of her remained somewhere far beyond my reach.I couldn't blame her.She had endured more than anyone should have to, and I had given her enough reasons not to trust me.A knock interrupted my thoughts.I opened the door to find a servant holding a sealed letter.'This was delivered by a gentleman who requested that it be placed directly into your hands

Chapter 83: A Promise to ProtectDamien's POV'I love you too.'Her whisper was barely audible, but I heard it.Every word.I lay perfectly still, my eyes closed, afraid that the slightest movement would reveal I had heard her confession. For a moment, I wondered if I had imagined it, if my longing for those words had finally become so unbearable that my mind had decided to grant me the one thing I wanted most.But I knew better.I had heard her.Elara loved me.Even after everything I had done, after the lies, the secrets, and the pain I had caused her, she still loved me.A smile threatened to form on my lips, but I suppressed it. I couldn't let her know I was awake. Not yet.She had whispered those words into the darkness, believing they would disappear into the silence between us. She hadn't intended for me to hear them, and I wasn't going to take that small piece of honesty away from her by confronting her about it.Not when she was still hurting.Not when she still looked at me

I lay with my head resting against Damien's chest, listening to the steady sound of his voice as he spoke about something I had already forgotten.Honestly, I was more interested in the warmth of his arms around me than whatever he was saying.His fingers moved lazily through my hair, occasionally brushing against my cheek. I had one arm wrapped around his waist, my leg tangled with his beneath the sheets, and for the first time in what felt like forever, my mind was quiet.No questions about my past. No fear of what awaited us. No worrying about the secrets that seemed determined to follow me everywhere.Just Damien.I tilted my head to look at him.'I've missed this'His fingers paused in my hair. 'Miss what?''This.' I gestured vaguely between us. 'Being with you. Holding you like this. Talking to you without wanting to strangle you every five minutes.'He let out a quiet laugh.'I'm sure you've wanted to strangle me more than five minutes at a time.''Don't tempt me.'His familiar

Damien's POVFor a moment, I couldn't move.Elara lay on the floor before me, her brown hair spilling across the wooden boards, her eyes wide with shock. The dagger protruding from her back seemed impossibly small compared to the damage it had caused.No.No, no, no.This couldn't be happening.Not to her.Not after everything we'd survived to get here.'Elara?'Her name escaped my lips, barely more than a whisper.She didn't answer.Something inside me snapped.I dropped to my knees, ready to reach for her, when movement caught my attention from the corner of my eye.The hunter who had thrown the dagger was running toward the exit.He thought he could escape.He thought he could stab my wife and walk away.A low growl tore from my throat.I rose so quickly that the air shifted around me. Before he could reach the door, I caught him by the back of his neck and slammed him against the wall.He struggled, clawing at my arm.'Please—'I didn't want to hear it.I thought of Elara's fright

Damien's POVI had never imagined I would stand beside my brother on his wedding day feeling as though a part of me were missing.Cassian stood before the mirror, adjusting his cuffs for what had to be the tenth time. His usual playful expression had been replaced by nervous anticipation, and I found myself almost smiling at the sight.Almost.'If you keep staring at yourself like that, Eveline might change her mind before she reaches the altar,' I remarked.He turned toward me, narrowing his eyes.'I'm beginning to regret asking you to be my best man.''And I'm beginning to understand why you needed one.'Cassian laughed, but the sound softened when he looked at me.'Thank you for coming.'I straightened his collar.'You're my brother. Where else would I be?'He studied me for a moment, as though he wanted to say something more, but eventually nodded.The ceremony was beautiful.Eveline looked radiant as she walked toward him, her expression bright with happiness. Cassian watched her