Chapter 29: Chapter 29

Nani hirunkit

The silence in my room was stifling, wrapping around me like a heavy blanket. I stared out the window at the garden, the faint moonlight casting silver shadows on the grass. Normally, the sight would calm me, but tonight, it did nothing to ease the storm inside me.

Would Sky agree?

The question ran through my mind over and over, as if repeating it might somehow summon an answer. I could almost picture the furrow in his brow, the tension in his jaw as he tried to hold the world together.

I sighed, running my hands through my hair. This wasn’t just about that bad guys anymore, or even the danger we were in. This was about us—about wanting a life together that didn’t feel like it was built on fear. I wanted more than this constant state of survival. I wanted to live. And, more than anything, I wanted him and my life back.

I wanted to be his partner, not just someone he felt responsible for. I wanted to stand beside him, not behind him. I want to be equal to him. And I wanted him to trust me enough to see that.

The door creaked open, pulling me out of my thoughts. I didn’t need to look up to know who it was. Only one person walked into my room unannounced.

“Sky,” I said softly, turning toward him.

He stood in the doorway, framed by the dim light of the hallway. There was something different about him—an exhaustion deeper than the usual weight he carried. His shoulders were stiff, his eyes darken with something I couldn’t quite name. He didn’t speak as he stepped inside, closing the door behind him.

He moved toward me slowly, deliberately, until he was standing right in front of me. His hand reached out, taking mine in his. His grip was firm but trembling, as though he were holding on to me and holding himself together at the same time.

“Sky?” I prompted, my voice laced with concern. “What’s wrong?”

He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he dipped his head slightly, his gaze fixed on where our hands were intertwined. His thumb brushed over my knuckles and he fiddled with my blessing red thread in my right wrist, his touch soft but filled with an intensity that made my heart ache.

“I can’t do this, Nani,” he said finally, his voice breaking. “I can’t lose you.”

The rawness in his tone hit me like a punch to the chest.

I reached up, cupping his face gently, forcing him to look at me. His eyes—those sharp, unyielding eyes that had always seemed so sure of themselves—were softer now, clouded with fear and doubt.

“You’re not losing me,” I said firmly. “And you’re not going to.”

His jaw clenched, and he closed his eyes briefly, as if trying to steel himself. “I don’t want this life for you,” he murmured. “This isn’t the life you deserve. It’s dangerous, it’s ugly, and it’s…” He trailed off, shaking his head.

“Sky,” I interrupted, my tone steady but soft. “I chose this life. I chose you. Don’t you see that?”

His eyes snapped open, searching mine. I leaned closer, pressing my forehead against his, grounding us both in the closeness. “You said my life is yours,” I whispered. “So here I am. I trust you to keep me safe. But you need to trust me, too. Trust me to help you—to help us. Please.”

His breath hitched, his hand tightening around mine. “You’re asking me to risk everything,” he said, his voice cracking.

“I’m not asking you to risk anything,” I said softly, my other hand sliding up to the side of his face. “I’m asking you to trust me. The way I trust you.”

For a moment, he said nothing. He just stared at me, his thumb brushing over my cheek as if memorizing the feel of my skin. Slowly, he leaned in, pressing his lips to my forehead in the gentlest kiss.

When he pulled back, his voice was low but steady. “Promise me,” he said, his eyes locked on mine. “If we do this, you’ll follow the plan. You’ll listen to everything I say. And you’ll put your safety above anyone else’s. Do you understand?”

“I promise,” I said, my voice trembling with emotion.

“Say it again,” he demanded, his hand moving to cradle the back of my neck. “I need to hear it.”

“I promise, Sky,” I repeated, my hand resting over his heart. “I trust you. And I’ll do everything you say. We’ll get through this together.”

For a moment, it felt like the world stilled around us. It was just the two of us, his forehead resting against mine, our breaths mingling in the quiet.

“You’re mine,” he whispered, his voice raw and filled with something deeper than possession. “And I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure you stay mine.”

I smiled faintly, my hand sliding up to cup his cheek. “I’ve always been yours, Sky wongravee.”

He exhaled shakily, pulling me into a tight embrace. His arms wrapped around me like a shield, as if he could protect me from everything with just his touch. I melted into him, letting his warmth chase away the cold knot of fear in my chest.

He pulled back slightly, tilting my chin up so he could look at me. His thumb traced along my jawline, his eyes softening as he leaned down to kiss me—slow, deliberate, and filled with a quiet desperation that left me breathless.

When we finally broke apart, his forehead rested against mine again.

------

Sky wongravee

The room was quiet, save for the faint sound of our breathing. Nani lay in my arms, his head against my chest, his fingers absently tracing patterns on my skin. The warmth of his body was grounding, but beneath the calm, I felt the storm brewing.

Tomorrow would come. And with it, the weight of every decision we’d made tonight.

I tilted my head, looking down at him. His lashes fanned across his cheeks, his face relaxed but carrying the shadow of stress he couldn’t fully hide.

“Nani,” I murmured, my fingers brushing lightly along his arm.

He shifted slightly, lifting his head to meet my gaze.

I studied him for a long moment, my hand sliding up to cradle his face. His skin was warm under my touch, and when his eyes softened, something inside me unraveled.

“I need you to know something,” I said quietly, my thumb brushing against his cheek. “Whatever happens, whatever comes after, you are the one thing I can’t lose. Do you understand me?”

His brow furrowed slightly, and he reached up, wrapping his fingers gently around my wrist. “You’re not going to lose me,” he said firmly. “I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.”

His words were meant to reassure me, but they only deepened the ache in my chest. I leaned forward, pressing my lips to his forehead and lingering there as I exhaled slowly.

“You say that like it’s a promise,” I murmured.

“It is,” he replied, his voice steady.

When i pulled back, his eyes met mine, and for a moment, everything else faded away.

I kiss him then, slow and deliberate. My hand sliding to the back of his neck to pull him closer. His lip parted against mine, his hand moving to rest against my chest, and i could feel the hesitation in his touch-the lingering worry, the weight of everything we were carrying.

"Nani," I said softly, pulling back just enough to meet his gaze. "We will do this together".

His expression softened, and he nodded.

I kissed him again, this time deeper, more urgent. His hand slipped up to my shoulders, gripping lightly as he leaned into me. His body is pressing against mine.

My weight settling over him. Our kisses grew slower, deeper, filled with an intensity that left  us both breathless.

His hand move tentatively at first, tracing over my arms, my back, before sliding under the hem of my shirt. His touch was warm, grounding, and when his fingers brushed against my skin, I felt a shiver run through me.

"Sky," he whispered, his voice barely audible.

I leaned down, my lips brushing against the curve of his jaw, his neck, as my hands move to frame his face. "I've got you," I murmured, my voice low and steady. "You are safe with me."

His breath hitched as my hands slid lower, exploring the lines of his body, learning every curve and edge. His responses were hesitant at first, but then he arched into me, his fingers tangling in my hair as he pulled me closer.

The moment that followed were slow, deliberate, a careful exchange of touches and whispers. It wasn't just about the physical-it was about the connection, the trust, the unspoken promise between us.

When we finally broke apart, our breaths uneven, i pressed my forehead to his, my finger brushing against his cheek.

"I love you," i said softly, the words slipping out before i could think about them.

He smile faintly, his eyes shining as he cupped my face. "I love you too." he whispered.

We stayed like that for a moment. Tangled in each other. The world outside forgotten. For the first time in what felt like forever.

For now, it was just us

And it was enough.