Hellbound Heart

Sebastian redirected the conversation back to Azy, curious about what the boy had wanted to say to Iza. "What was it that you wanted to say to your aunt, Azy?"

Azy turned his attention towards Elle. After a few moments of silence passed, he dropped his head with a polite bow and he addressed her.

"Princess..."

"This little..." Sebastian interrupted with feigned frustration, but Azy turned to him, his expression serious. "I'll call her Aunt after you two are married again, Uncle," Azy stated, causing Elle to chuckle at his words. Why was this book so cute? He was seriously saying those words so seriously like that and he was just adorable!

However, her laughter ceased when she saw the genuine sincerity in Azy's eyes as he focused on her. "Thank you... thank you so much for healing Mom, Princess."

His words struck a chord deep within her heart and Elle's heart melted at his gratitude. Without hesitation, she opened her arms wide, inviting Azy into a warm embrace. Azy responded eagerly, throwing himself into her arms. She held him tenderly as she whispered, "I may have only offered temporary healing, but you're very welcome, my dear."

"You are so... amazing, Princess," Azy continued, his words filled with shy admiration.

…

Back in Alicia's room, Alicia's tears finally subsided. Zeke lovingly wiped the remnants of tears away. His gentle touch accompanied by silent kisses on her eyes.

Even though his eyes regained their calmness, she could still sense the slight trembles in his fingers as they caressed her face.

When she gazed into his face once more, Alicia couldn't hold back any longer. She wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his broad chest, inhaling deeply the scent she had longed for. His presence, his warmth—it was a sensation she had been yearning to feel again. The intensity of her longing was overwhelming, as if the very depths of her soul had been starved for him.

Zeke held her tighter, his heartbeats echoing loudly in the stillness of the room, his breathing shallow.

"I've missed you so much," Alicia confessed, her voice filled with raw emotion. She no longer held back the words that had been brewing inside her, the depth of her longing for him laid bare.

Zeke remained silent, but she could feel his breath hitch, his embrace tightening. Without uttering a word, he communicated volumes. His love, his yearning, his unspoken devotion—she felt it all in the way he held her.

"Alicia..." He spoke her name softly. In that moment, they held onto each other as if their lives depended on it, unwilling to let go. The depth of their connection transcended words.

In each other's arms, they found solace, love, and the reassurance that their separation had only served to deepen their love. The world around them faded into insignificance as they clung to one another, cherishing the precious gift of being together once more.

It had been over five long years since Zeke last held Alicia in his arms. During that time, he had encountered her presence only in his dreams, hearing her voice as a distant echo. Those dreams had served as his solace in a world consumed by blood, power, and death. But now, in this moment, as he held her, Zeke finally felt alive again. He felt like he had returned home, no longer a monster but just himself, the man he was meant to be.

This woman, Alicia, held his heart and soul in her hands. He now understood that if ever he were to lose himself in the darkness, she would be the one to guide him back to his true self. She possessed the power to bring him back from the brink, to remind him of what and who he truly was.

For what felt like an eternity, they remained locked in each other's embrace, until Alicia's gasp broke the spell that enveloped them.

"Az... Azy... Did you already..." Alicia's words trailed off as she caught sight of the gentle expression and the proud smile tugging at Zeke's lips.

"Our son is just as you described... he's as incredible as you," he affirmed, his voice filled with pride.

Alicia's heart swelled with joy at his words. "I wish I could have witnessed it... your first meeting."

Zeke cleared his throat, his smile growing crooked but tinged with a shy charm. "Well, Alex ended up teasing me because I was so stunned that I forgot to say anything when he called me 'dad'."

Alicia's mouth formed an 'o' shape, her eyes shimmering with happiness. "And...?" she prompted eagerly, wanting to hear more about her husband and son's very first encounter.

"I told him I was his dad, and he didn't hesitate to hug me." He sounded really happy but then the look in his eyes dimmed slightly as he uttered his next line. "He then asked me to come see you immediately." A flicker of worry shadowed Zeke's features. "He was so worried and desperate..."

The memories began to flood back into Alicia's consciousness. She finally recalled the feeling of being in grave danger just before she had passed out.

"You are in grave danger, Alicia," Zeke told her, his eyes dimming. He hated that he had to broach this topic so soon after their reunion, but he had no choice. He needed to tell her everything while they still had the opportunity. So, he proceeded to explain the events that had transpired, her real situation, including Izabelle's temporary healing and his plan to take her away from Azy.

Pressing his forehead against Alicia's, Zeke whispered, his voice filled with remorse, "I'm sorry I couldn't find another way other than this. I'm sorry..."

But before he could continue, Alicia silenced him with a tender kiss, causing him to grow still. Her lips spoke volumes of understanding and acceptance. "I know you tried everything, Ezekiel," she reassured him. "I know you exhausted every possible method and concluded that this is the only way."