Page 49 of Damian
Even on the van ride back to Chackbay, we were in our own heads. The landscape changed from the rugged beauty of the mountains to the more cultivated plains. Our minds were far from the scenery, though. Thoughts of the last few days and the future churned in our minds. I rode beside Damian this time. He draped his arm around me, and I settled into his comforting body. His presence was a steadying force, and I found solace in his warmth and strength. With him by my side, the long drive passed by quickly. The miles slipping away as we drew closer to our home.
A call ahead to the herd by Anjal kept everyone in their homes while we dropped Violet and Tara at Peter’s home. Tara said that Violet shouldn’t experience the overwhelming moment of meeting a new herd just yet.
Alexander hugged his momma tightly. His small arms wrapped around her in a desperate attempt to cling to the familiar. Peter agreed to take him, at least for the first night.
After a long drive, I ached for a soak in a bathtub. The new life I’d grown accustomed to reared its ugly head. The exhaustion from the journey and the emotional toll of the last few days made me long for a moment of respite in the chaos.
Everyone went their separate ways. My daughters went home with their mates. Peter, Frank, and Alexander went to Frank’s. The dispersion was a necessary part of settling back into our routine, but it left a lingering sense of emptiness, the bonds we had formed feeling stretched thin.
Georgia looked emotionally and physically tired from the journey. Having seen none of the world, her stare remained glued to the window of the van. I can’t imagine what went through her head during the journey. The unfamiliar sights and sounds must have been overwhelming. Her mind must be grappling with the enormity of the change.
I paid little attention to Damian’s home—my new home—once we entered. My focus remained on Georgia, watching her reaction to everything around her. The modern conveniences, the unfamiliar setting—it was all so new to her.
Georgia’s innocence at everything around her kept my attention. Her wide-eyed wonder was a reminder of the vastness of the world and the many things we take for granted. She touched everything with a tentative curiosity, exploring her new surroundings with cautious excitement. Something I never had the pleasure of. When I entered the world, my only concern was survival.
“Georgia, this room is for you.” Damian told her after turning the light on. “There’s a bathroom to the left. Emjay will show you how everything works.” His tone was gentle and patient while he introduced her to her space.
He left us to discover the modern conveniences on our own. I showed Georgia how to use the faucet, the light switches, and other basics. Her amazement at the running water and the bright electric lights was infectious, each discovery a small victory.
As the night wore on, Georgia settled into her new room, and I finally allowed myself to relax.
Chapter 37
Damian
“I created you to love you. You were never meant for pain, but this world is filled with so much of it. I gave you each other so that you might know how much I love you. Never forget how loved you are.” ~ Helios
Emjay finds me in the kitchen with a plate of sandwiches. The aroma of freshly made food fills the room, mingling with the comfort of the moon streaming through the windows.
“Is Georgia hungry?” I ask, while rubbing my beard.
Emjay shakes her head, and a soft chuckle escapes her lips. “She said she couldn’t eat anything. Not right now. Her stomach is too twisted with all the new toys she’s found.” The excitement and curiosity in Georgia’s face had been clear as she explored the house, every new discovery like a small adventure.
“What about you? Are you hungry?” I ask, pushing the plate toward her.
She picks up a sandwich and takes a bite. The smile on her face while she chews reaches her eyes, a genuine expression of contentment that warms my heart.
I stroke my beard again. The familiar motion grounds me. If I could rub the hairs from my face, they’d have disappeared since finding Emjay. Her presence in my life has brought a sense of peace and belonging that I never thought possible.
“You can have your own room if you’d like…but I’d prefer you stayed with me.” I say, my tone soft but earnest. We’d shared a sleeping bag for the last couple of nights, and I dreaded losing the warmth of her body next to mine. The thought of sleeping alone again felt like a step back into the cold, lonely nights I used to endure.
Emjay gulps, the sound loud in the quiet kitchen. “We can just sleep. Until you’re ready for more.” I add quickly, not wanting to pressure her. I want her to feel safe and comfortable, to know that she has a choice.
She gulps again; her gaze searching mine for reassurance. “I don’t know if I’m ready, but I need to know if being with someone I love—intimately—is something worth experiencing.” Her timbre trembles slightly with fear and optimism.
I hadn’t missed the words: someone I love.
I drop my sandwich and take her in my arms, holding her close. The smell of her hair, the softness of her skin against mine. It’s all I need to feel complete. “Do you remember what Helios told us?” I whisper, my lips brushing against her ear.
She nods, her breath warm against my neck.
“You were created to be loved. We both were. Let me love you, Emjay.” My voice is steady, filled with the certainty that this is right, that we were created to love one another.
“Okay,” she whispers, barely audible but filled with a quiet determination.
We stand there for a moment, wrapped in each other’s arms, the world outside fading away. In this moment, nothing else matters but the love we share and the promise of a future together.
I take a chance and scoop Emjay up in my arms, bridal style. She squeals with delight, a bright and infectious sound that fills the room as I carry her into the master suite. The door swings closed behind us with a gentle push of my foot, leaving the outside world far behind.