Chapter Twenty-Four
Torran
He melted into the kiss without hesitation, thankful that his mate had somehow decided that he had done what needed to be done.
It wouldn’t ease his conscience, and Torran would regret his actions that day for the rest of his life, but knowing that he still had his mate at the end of it all would make it much easier to stomach. He would sleep better with her at his side, he knew that.
“Do you know what the strange thing is?” she asked, breaking apart.
Torran looked at her in alarm as tears started to trickle down her cheeks. “What’s that?” he asked, doing his best to brush them aside as they started to fall.
“I feel like this will help provide me with some closure.”
He frowned, not understanding.
“I told you, I’ve been essentially mourning the loss of Damien since he changed. When he became the man that you knew. Or when he decided to stop pretending he was someone else, however you want to think of it. Since that time I’ve been sad over the death of who he was, but a part of me maintained hope that maybe one day he’d realize what he’d become and go back to normal.” She laughed, a sad sound. “Now that he’s actually dead however, I think I can actually, truly move on.”
“I’m sorry you had to go through all this, Lilly.” He pulled her close, allowing her to cry into his shirt for a bit.
His mate was strong, however, and soon she was wiping the last tears away and pecking him on the cheek as a sort of thanks for being there for her. As if he would be anywhere else.
“Me too. That gang of his, they were all assholes,” she said. “I had no proof, but I heard them talking. They did all sorts of terrible things to other people. The world will be better off without them. I always hated them for sucking Damien into their world. Now at least they won’t harm anyone else.” She rubbed his cheek. “I know that’s not enough to put you completely at ease, but hopefully you can find some small bit of solace in knowing you prevented a lot of people from coming to harm from them.”
“You’re right, it doesn’t do much. But that’s not the same as saying it does nothing,” he told her. “Every bit counts.” He looked down. “I’m just sorry your child won’t have someone to call Dad.”
Lilly stepped closer, nuzzling up to him. When he refused to look her in the eye she reached up and grabbed his chin, forcing his head around with surprising strength. “Look at me,” she commanded.
He did, hating himself for it the entire time.
“My child may not have their biological father, no. That is regretful, but there was no way I was going to introduce them or allow Damien to be a part of their life.” Her expression softened. “But you called me your mate.”
“You are,” he whispered. “Only you.”
“I guess that means I’m not going anywhere anytime soon.”
“I hope not.”
She smiled. “Well then, you’d better do a damn good job at preparing.”
“Preparing for what?” He was confused.
“Being a daddy.”
Torran’s knees wobbled and he searched frantically for a chair as the world spun around him. “What did you just say?”
Lilly squatted in front of him, both hands on his knees. “Torran, you are the most kind, gentle, and caring soul I think I’ve ever met. Yet you’re strong, full of knowledge and wisdom, and on occasion you’re even funny too.”
He stuck his tongue out at her. They both knew it was a little more frequent than that. A little.
“Plus you’re also a freaking dragon, and I can’t think of a better protector for my little boy or girl. We have a lot to sort out and get used to, but I’ve grown to like having you around, and I think you would make an excellent father figure to my child.” She paused. “And if you play your cards right, maybe you can have that big family you wanted.”
He was too wrapped up in emotion from her saying that she would allow him to help raise her child to respond to the rest of it all.
“I don’t deserve this,” he said softly.
Lilly looked at him sharply. “Excuse me?”
“You’re such a better person than I am. Better than anyone I know.”
“Well duh. I’m perfect.” She grinned to show she was joking. “Don’t you dare sell yourself short. One of the things I like most about you is your confidence. Not the arrogance you pretend, but the confidence to do what’s necessary, and your inner strength. I know you’re taught not to accept that you’re a good person, but I can see it, and I like it. So hold on to that.”
“I can do that.”
“You’d better. It’s what won me over.”
Pulling her close, Torran reveled in her presence as she crushed herself against him. They both needed a hug right then, and he made no move to end it prematurely. In the coming days and weeks they would need each other. Both of them had a lot of adjusting to do to their newfound lives and impending parenthood.
Parenthood.
Holy shit, he was going to be a dad! Torran couldn’t believe it.
“Thank you,” he whispered, kissing her and stroking her curly blonde hair.
“Just remember your promise.”
“Which one in particular?” he asked, holding her close.
“After the baby is born you’re taking me flying!”
For the first time since he’d come back Torran laughed. A moment later Lilly joined him.