“Abel, it’s me, Lizzie. I’m right here.”
He squeezed my fingers. “Good,” he said, his voice raspy.
The nurse returned just then, probably having noticed over the camera that he was moving. She started running several tests, checking all of his vitals, and it was a while before he and I were alone again. By that point, he was sitting up higher in his bed, his eyes were open, and he was ready to talk.
“You healed much faster than the doctors thought possible,” I said. I dropped my voice to a whisper. “You should have died up there. I’ll never forget what you looked like. So much blood. So many wounds.”
Abel rubbed his thumb on the back of my hand. He sent me a smile and motioned to the bag where his belongings had been stored. “There should be a necklace in there somewhere.”
I dug through the bag and pulled out the necklace. Attached to the chain was a bit of metal that looked sort of like a question mark. “What’s this?”
“Nicole got it for me. It’s the only one of its kind and is a magical antique—even older than your amulet.”
“What does it do?”
“It prolonged my life. Protected me. Helped me survive things normal people wouldn’t. And then sped up my healing.” He closed his eyes. “It was Coolidge’s idea. It took him several days to track down its owner and arrange to borrow it for a week. He knew I would be the only Arete who engaged in hand-to-hand combat.”
Abel reached for me with his other hand, holding both of mine. “And he knew it would kill you if something happened to me. It was his gift to you.”
Tears filled my eyes. That seemed to be happening a lot lately, especially where Abel was concerned. I bent and kissed his forehead, unable to believe that my former professor who had obviously disliked Abel would do something like that for him. If it wasn’t for Coolidge, Abel would have died.
I sniffled for a moment and said, “I guess you can’t hate Coolidge anymore, huh?”
“Nah, this doesn’t change anything.”
I laughed, knowing he was teasing. “I love you,” I said.
“I love you too.”
He hooked a hand around my waist and pulled me close. And then, being careful not to mess up his bandages, he pulled me onto the bed next to him, kissing my face and jaw and neck, his hands massaging my back. “I really, really, really love you.”
I chuckled, enjoying the tingles that erupted from his touch. This man was sexy, even when severely injured.
“Wait,” I said. “Doesn’t this hurt?”
He laughed. “Don’t you know, sweetie? I’m high on love. And morphine.”
“Yeah . . .” I nodded knowingly. “You’re definitely high on something.”
Still, it was hard not to take several minutes to make out with the most wonderful man in the world. One who loved me and cared for me and liked me as much as I did him. One who had been through everything with me. I couldn’t believe how lucky I was to have him on my side.
After a few moments, I sensed it as Abel tired. I placed a careful kiss on his lips, then returned to my chair when his eyelids started drooping. He needed his rest, and I had a ton of books on my phone to read while he slept.
Abel was going to be fine. We had each other, and I’d completed my missions to destroy hounds and stop Lord Kenan.
I was ready to start living my life.
The End
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Author Note:
Wow! I can’t believe we’re at the end of the Koven Chronicles! And just a year after I started it. So crazy. I hope you’ve enjoyed this journey. It sure has been a fun one. :-) My next project is Abel’s series . . . which still hasn’t been named, ha ha. I’ve got to get on that. :-) And on the book covers too. :-)
As an FYI: Abel’s series covers some of the same time frame as Lizzie’s, but there won’t be a lot of crossover. I don’t want to rewrite every single scene from his point of view, and I don’t think you’d be interested in reading that. :-) But it will fill in a lot of the blanks you’re probably wanting for his story . . . as well as give you stuff you didn’t know you were missing. :-)
In case you’re interested, I’ve been writing and releasing exclusive stories just to Patreon supporters, including one where Omar is forced to permanently kill another hound—something that I never explored in the Koven Chronicles. Come support me and gain access to awesome stories!
Have a great day! And please consider posting a review on Demon of Darkness. I’d forever appreciate it if you would.
Much love,
Andrea
About the Author
Andrea Pearson, author of several series including the Koven Chronicles, Mosaic Chronicles, and Kilenya Chronicles, lives with her husband and children in a small valley framed with hills. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor of science degree in Communications Disorders.
Andrea spends as much time with her husband and children as possible. Favorite activities include hiking, painting, watching movies, collecting and listening to music, and discussing books and authors.
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Books by Andrea Pearson
Mosaic Chronicles:
Discern
Praxis
Perceive
Observe
Reclaim
Conceal
Obscure
Enshroud
Withhold
Forsake
The Kilenya Chronicles:
Forsaken Prince
Ember Gods
August Fortress
Rise of Keitus
Eyes of the Sun
Golden Symbol
Kilenya Romances:
Samara
Midian
Koven Chronicles:
The Shade Amulet
The Black Masquerade
Temple of Flames
Crimson Hollow
Forbidden Knowledge
Demon of Darkness
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