Bria POV:

I didn't know what to do , didn't know what was the first thing to do after his confession but, I knew one for certain, he wasn't to be blamed for who he had become . His father was . I reached for Caius's hands and he wrapped them around me , lifting me so that my legs wrapped around his waist and I buried my face in his neck as I hugged him.

We remained liked that for awhile , just with him standing holding me and me hugging him hoping that maybe , just maybe I would be able to take even a flicker of the pain he carried . Eventually he placed me on the bed and climb in after me , pulling me on top of him and I kissed him and this time the kiss wasn't rough, it was soft, gentle , slow as if he was savouring the moment and then he kissed my forehead and wrapped his arms around me as he whispered,

"Ты - свет, что сияет в самых темных уголках моей души".

" what does that mean ? It's the second time mi hear yuh seh that".

" you are the light that shines in the darkest corners of my soul " , he replied his voice soft and drained and I layed there , my head resting on his chest listening to the steady beating of his heart and fighting back the tears that clogged my throat .

I awoke to the golden morning light streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the room in a soft, warm glow. I blinked sleepily, my body cocooned in the plush sheets that held Caius's lingering scent. But when I turned, the space beside me was empty, the sheets cool to the touch.

A frown creased my brow. It wasn't unusual for him to rise early, but there was something about the silence that made my heart flutter with unease.

I slid out of bed, my bare feet sinking into the thick, luxurious rug, and padded to the bathroom. After splashing cold water on my face and brushing my teeth, I did my hair, brushing it back into a ponytail.

When I stepped back into the bedroom, I stopped short, my breath catching in my throat.

Caius stood there, just inside the doorway, his tall frame silhouetted against the morning light. He looked... different. Vulnerable, almost.

His shoulders were tense, his jaw clenched, and his blue eyes were fixed on me , an intensity in them I couldn't quite read.

"Caius?" I murmured, my voice soft, uncertain.

He moved then, his long strides carrying him across the room until he stood before me. His hands twitched at his sides, his fingers curling and uncurling as if he didn't know what to do with them. His chest rose and fell in uneven breaths, and his gaze dropped to the floor, refusing to meet mine.

My heart raced. I had never seen him like this, so unsettled, so... exposed.

"Yuh ok? Wah happen to yuh?"

His lips pressed into a thin line, his jaw tightening before he took a shuddering breath. And then, to my utter shock, he sank to his knees before me , his head bowed, his broad shoulders rigid.

"Caius! what wrong wid yuh?" I reached for him, but his hand shot out, catching mine and holding it firmly in his grasp. His fingers were cold, his palm slightly damp. He was shaking.

He looked up then, his eyes burning with an emotion so raw, so powerful, it stole my breath away.

"I breathe for you", he said, his voice rough, almost broken. "I exist for you".

My heart twisted, tears pricking my eyes. " Caius ....",

He shook his head, his grip on my hand tightening. "Fuck", he muttered, his shoulders tensing.

"Your faith... it talks about purpose, right? About how everyone has one?"

I nodded, unable to find my voice, my chest tightening at the vulnerability in his words, wondering where this was going .

He swallowed hard, his eyes never leaving mine . "Well... my purpose is you, Bria Tomlinson", His voice cracked, and he looked away, his jaw working as he tried to steady himself.

"So... convert me, or whatever the hell you need to do. Just... don't leave me Bria ".

His head dropped, his shoulders trembling. "I don't want to be lost, Bria. Not after...", His voice was a broken whisper, the pain in his words slicing through me .

"Not after I've felt what it's like to live with you... to exist for you... to love you".

My knees buckled, and I sank down before him, my hands cupping his face, forcing him to look at me . His eyes were wet, his lashes damp, and I felt my heart shatter at the sight of his pain, his fear. "Caius... I'm not going anywhere", I whispered, my thumb brushing his cheek. " mi deh right yahsuh ".

His eyes searched mine, his fingers trembling as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. My heart skipped, my breath catching as he opened it to reveal a delicate silver band with a small, shimmering diamond.

"t's not... it's not an engagement ring", he stammered, his voice rough.

"It's... a promise". He swallowed, his eyes dropping to the ring.

"A promise that I'll fight. That I'll be better , that I will try to change ... for you".

My vision blurred with tears, my chest aching with so much affection and emotions I could hardly breathe. He took my hand, his fingers trembling as he slipped the ring onto my finger, his eyes fixed on the silver band.

When he finally looked up, his eyes were shining, his face vulnerable, open. "You're my purpose, Bria", he whispered, his voice raw.

"You're... everything".

My lips parted, a sob catching in my throat as I looked at the ring, the simple, beautiful band that gleamed in the morning light. My heart swelled, all the emotions that I was feeling crashing over me like a wave .

I looked back at him, his face filled with fear and hope, his eyes pleading, desperate for me to understand. A tear slipped down my cheek, and I smiled, my heart thundering in my chest.

"I love you", I whispered, my voice shaking.

His eyes widened, his lips parting, and I saw the relief flood his face, his shoulders sagging as he let out a shuddering breath.

I leaned forward, my lips brushing his, soft and gentle, my hands tangling in his hair as I pulled him closer. He kissed me back, his hands wrapping around me , holding me as if he were afraid I would vanish, as if he needed to feel me to believe I was real.

We stayed like that, on the floor of our room, tangled together, the morning light bathing us in warmth as our hearts beat in sync.

And as I held him, felt the rapid thump of his heart against mine, I knew that no matter what lay ahead,I would never let him be lost again. I knew that our starting had been nothing close to normal or sane but, I knew one thing.

I cared for this man and I was going to help him , I was going to drain the darkness from his soul .