“Neither could I,” Aurora replies, her eyes distant, though a small smile softens her youthful face. “I never thought I’d see you again, Naya,” she says as she turns to address me, which leaves me stunned.
“You know my name?” I ask, feeling foolish.
She smiles. “Of course I know your name—the girl who always sneaked away. I usually ignored everyone at Grimhill Manor to live in my own bubble, but I took notice of you. I never paid any attention to your eyes though,” she speaks freely from her mind, leaning forward to inspect my eyes.
I shift uncomfortably in my seat, causing Grey to release a faint growl.
“Ah…yeah,” I reply awkwardly. I don’t think I’ve ever felt this awkward before, but it feels nice being around other people.
We’ve all endured the same trauma, deepening the bond between us. I feel a friendship slowly growing, even though we won’t be here to see it bloom entirely.
Not knowing what else to say, I speak out loud. “Did you hear that Grimhill Manor burned down?”
Now it’s Aurora’s and Asher’s turn to shift uncomfortably. Myeyebrows raise.
“What is it?”
The room thickens with a tension between the four of them, as if they know something we don’t. It feels surreal being in the same room as my roommate at Grimhill Manor, and the woman who always was so absorbed in her books—the master’s favorite doll. We’re all grown up, healthier, and better mentally.
My eyes shift to Asher, his tousled hair covering one of his amber-colored eyes. He’s donned a warm sweater and a pair of black khaki pants, and he looks anywhere but at me. He’s the one who killed Frederick Grimhill—officially ending the trafficking ring and setting us free.
“Speaking of that…” Everlee trails off.
“What?” I ask again, a nervous flutter in my chest.
“Asher and I…we burned down Grimhill Manor. Erased the demons,” Aurora whispers.
Asher’s hardened eyes meet mine as he embraces Aurora, waiting for judgment, but I can’t offer any. All I feel is a relief, an insane amount of gratitude for this man I don’t even know.
“Thank you,” is all I can say, hoping all my gratitude shines through my words.
His shoulders sag in relief at my words, nodding curtly.
“It’s time to decorate the tree!” Everlee exclaims excitedly.
We all stand up, making our way to the bare Christmas tree and the box beside it. Together, we laugh and drink our hot chocolates, dancing to the Christmas music playing through the speaker Draven put on, and decorate the tree. I haven’t felt so at ease in a long time, looking at the lights from the tree twinkling as it casts a warm glow across the room.
Everlee places a delicate star on the top of the tree, Draven lifting her up so that she can reach it. Grey’s arm wraps firmly around my waist, pulling me even closer to me.
A serene sensation fills me. This—this is what happiness lookslike, in the arms of the man I love, surrounded by friends who share the same burdens. Here, all the darkness falls away after years of living in it, and I can only see the light at the end of the tunnel now.
This feels like home, one I never thought I would find, and yet here we are.
Grey leans down to kiss me, and I let the joy of the moment inside my soul, storing it inside me to remember when things feel tough.
“I love you,” he whispers, and I echo the words.
Yes, this is home.
––––––––
THE QUIETNESS FEELS PEACEFULas we finally retreat to our room for the night, having enjoyed a long evening together with Everlee, Draven, Aurora, and Asher. Everyone has gone to sleep, leaving only me and Grey awake.
The fire crackles in the stone hearth, eliciting a warm and comfortable atmosphere in the room.
“I got something for you,” Grey whispers in my ear. “A Christmas gift.”
“But I didn’t get you anything,” I tell him, disappointed.
