HIS FORBIDDEN CLAIM

CHAPTER 43— The Way He Holds Her

The storm outside had quieted, but inside the Blackwood mansion, the air was still heavy—almost fragile.

Kaela sat up slowly against the pillows, a soft gasp escaping her lips as dizziness brushed over her. Her body still felt weak, but the pounding fear from last night had faded into something else… something warm.

Something terrifying in a different way.

Vionn was sitting at the edge of the bed, his broad shoulders hunched forward, elbows on his knees, head in his hands. His hair was a mess—like he’d run his fingers through it a thousand times. He hadn’t changed since he brought her home. He hadn’t slept.

He’d been watching her. Protecting her.

Worrying about her.

She swallowed carefully. “Vionn…”

His head snapped up.

Relief hit his face like a violent emotion he couldn’t hide. He leaned closer, not touching her yet—like he feared he might break her.

“You’re awake…” His normally controlled voice cracked. “Kaela, I—”

He stopped, breath shaky.

She blinked slowly. “You look… tired.”

He let out a humorless breath. “You scared me half to death.”

Kaela’s pulse fluttered. This was the same man who had fought an army for her. The same man who never let emotion show… now crumbling right in front of her.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

Vionn shook his head. “Don’t you dare apologize.”

His voice was low, fierce.

“I should’ve protected you sooner. I failed.”

She reached for him—hesitantly at first—and when her fingers brushed his, his eyes widened. He didn’t pull away. Instead, he turned his hand and interlaced their fingers tightly… like he needed the contact to breathe.

“You didn’t fail me,” she whispered. “You saved me.”

He stared at her, disbelief warring with something deeper. “Kaela… you don’t understand what losing you would have done to me.”

Her heart stumbled. “Then… tell me.”

He exhaled slowly, as if the truth was too big to fit through his chest.

“I thought I could keep you at distance. I thought pushing you away would keep you safe…”

His thumb brushed the back of her hand, soft and reverent.

“But when Adrian took you—when you were gone—there was nothing left but fear. I’ve never been afraid like that.”

Kaela felt tears prick behind her eyes. “Vionn…”

He leaned closer, till their foreheads almost touched.

She could feel his breath—warm, uneven—just inches from her lips.

“You can hate me for everything I’ve done… everything I haven’t said…”

His voice dropped to a whisper, trembling.

“But don’t leave me. Not like that. Not ever again.”

Kaela lifted her free hand and touched his cheek gently.

His breath caught.

“You didn’t lose me,” she whispered. “I’m here.”

He closed his eyes and leaned into her touch like he’d been starved for it.

Silence settled—soft and intimate—before he opened his eyes again. And the look in them… it wasn’t cold. It wasn’t guarded.

It was love he didn’t dare name yet.

He moved slowly, as though asking with every second for her permission.

Kaela’s fingers slid up into his hair, answering for him.

His forehead rested fully against hers now, noses brushing, breathing each other in.

“Kaela…” His voice was barely sound. “You mean more to me than I ever allowed myself to feel.”

Her lips parted. “Then feel it.”

A shuddering exhale left his chest.

His hand lifted, cupping her jaw, thumb tracing the soft curve of her lips.

She leaned into his palm, heart thrumming.

He kissed her forehead—slow, tender—and she felt something inside her break open.

Then his lips brushed her cheek… her temple… each touch a vow he didn’t speak aloud.

When he reached her lips, he paused.

So close.

So careful.

Their breaths tangled.

Kaela whispered against his mouth, “Don’t stop.”

He didn’t.

Vionn pressed his lips to hers—soft at first, like he feared she might disappear. Then he kissed her again, deeper, slower… pouring every fear, every relief, every unspoken desire into the moment.

His hand slid behind her neck, holding her gently in place, like she was the most precious thing he’d ever touched.

Kaela’s fingers clutched his shirt, pulling him closer—not out of weakness… but want.

When they finally broke apart, both breathless, foreheads still pressed together—

Vionn gave her a small, broken smile.

“My Kaela…”

She felt the words in her soul.

Not a claim.

Not a command.

A truth.

And she smiled back, her voice soft but sure:

“Always.”