34

NICKLAUS’S POV
But the witches stood strong, their collective energy merging into a radiant shield of light. The brilliance of their magic intensified, blinding in its beauty, as they pushed back against the darkness. A surge of power rippled through the air, and the monstrous entity began to fade, its form dissolving into nothingness until it was no more than a memory.
Relief washed over the crowd, followed by a wave of applause and admiration for the witches’ power and unwavering resolve. The bonfire crackled, casting dancing shadows that seemed to whisper tales of triumph over darkness.
Later, after bidding farewell to our friends and returning to the sanctuary of Gabrielle’s room, I helped her settle into bed. Tucking her in, I pressed a gentle kiss on her forehead, whispering, “Goodnight, my love. Sleep well.”
As I made my way back to check on the aftermath of the event, I spotted my beta standing near the edge of the bonfire’s fading glow. Curiosity piqued, I approached him, my heart still racing from the intensity of the evening.
“Well, well, well,” I teased, nudging him playfully. “Seems like someone found a certain witch quite fascinating.”
He rolled his eyes, a slight blush creeping onto his cheeks. “Oh, please. It’s not like that, Nicklaus. She’s an enemy, after all.”
I arched an eyebrow, a mischievous glimmer in my eyes. “Ah, enemies can sometimes be intriguing, can’t they? Sparks of passion amidst the chaos.”
He let out a sigh, shaking his head.
Letting it slip, I bid him goodnight and thanked him for a job well done.
GABRIELLA’S POV
I slowly opened my eyes, greeted by the gentle rays of sunlight filtering through the curtains.
Stretching my limbs, I let out a soft yawn, the remnants of slumber still lingering in my mind. As I took in the tranquility of the morning, a delightful aroma reached my nose, instantly making my stomach growl in anticipation.
Turning my head, I saw Nicklaus seated by the bedside. His eyes fixed on me with a loving gaze that melted my heart. The sight of him so early in the morning, wearing a warm smile, filled me with a sense of warmth and joy.
“Hey, darling, good morning,” he greeted, his voice carrying a hint of excitement.
A smile tugged at the corners of my lips, and I responded in a sleepy yet affectionate tone, “Hey, good morning.”
His gaze never wavered as he leaned forward, his eyes filled with adoration. “I made pancakes for breakfast as an apology.”
Surprised and touched by his gesture, I sat up in bed, my curiosity piqued. “Oh really? That’s so sweet of you. Apology for what, though?”
Nicklaus hesitated for a moment, his expression softening with sincerity. “You didn’t say anything, but I know last night you wanted me to stay. I’m sorry I couldn’t be there with you.”
His words struck a chord deep within me, and I felt a lump forming in my throat.
He had understood the unspoken longing in my heart, the desire to have him by my side throughout the night. Tears welled up in my eyes as I realized just how much he cared, how attuned he was to my emotions.
Blinking back the tears, I managed a small smile. “How did you know? How did you know that I spent the night yearning for your presence, longing for the comfort of your arms? I missed you so much.”
Nicklaus rose from his seat, closing the distance between us. He enveloped me in his embrace, his arms encircling me with tenderness. “I know because I felt the same way, Gabrielle. I couldn’t sleep either. The empty space beside me felt cold and empty without you.”
His words resonated deeply within my soul, filling the room with a sense of vulnerability and profound love. In that moment, I realized that our connection transcended physical proximity.
It was a bond forged by understanding, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to each other.
Gently pulling back from the embrace, Nicklaus held my gaze, his eyes filled with an unspoken promise. “I’m sorry, baby. I had trouble sleeping as well. I truly am sorry.”
A wave of warmth washed over me as I looked into his eyes, the sincerity in his voice echoing in my heart. I reached out my hand, and my fingers intertwined with his. “It’s okay, Nicklaus. We’re in this together, no matter the distance. Our love is stronger than any obstacle.”
Nicklaus’s grip tightened, his thumb caressing the back of my hand. “You’re right, Gabrielle. We will always find our way back to each other, no matter what.”
Embracing the comfort of his words, I took a bold step and leaned in, pressing my lips against his in a tender and lingering kiss.
The room seemed to fade away, leaving only the soft touch of his lips against mine and the sweet taste of our shared love.
As our lips danced in perfect harmony, a wave of affection washed over us. Our bodies melted into each other, our embrace growing tighter.
Nicklaus’s hands traced gentle patterns on my back, sending tingles of desire and adoration through my veins.
With each passing moment, the world outside ceased to exist. There were only the two of us, locked in a passionate embrace, our hearts beating in sync.
Our lips moved in a dance of passion and tenderness, as if trying to express the depth of our emotions through the language of touch.
The kiss spoke volumes, conveying unspoken promises of eternal love and unwavering devotion. It was a moment of pure connection, where words became unnecessary in the face of such intense intimacy. Our souls were entwined, finding solace and bliss in the warmth of our embrace.
Breaking the kiss, we exchanged smiles filled with warmth and understanding. “Shall we enjoy our breakfast together, my love?” Nicklaus suggested, his voice carrying a gentle eagerness.
I nodded, a soft chuckle escaping my lips. “Yes, let’s savor this moment and indulge in the delightful breakfast you prepared,” I replied, a twinkle of excitement dancing in my eyes.
Nicklaus grinned, his eyes gleaming with affection as he picked up the tray of pancakes and fruits from the bedside table.
He settled himself beside me, placing the tray on his lap. With gentle care, he took a fork and speared a small piece of pancake, holding it up to my lips.
“Open wide,” he playfully teased, his voice filled with a mixture of tenderness and amusement.
I complied, parting my lips as he fed me the warm and fluffy pancake. The flavors danced on my taste buds, a perfect blend of sweetness and comfort.
As I savored each bite, my eyes never left Nicklaus’s face. His eyes sparkled with joy, reveling in the simple act of nourishing my body and soul.
After a few bites, I couldn’t resist returning the gesture just like yesterday. Picking up a piece of pancake with my own fork, I lifted it to Nicklaus’s lips.
His lips parted, and I carefully fed him, relishing the intimate connection we shared. The act of feeding each other symbolized our care and affection, a tangible expression of our love.
As we continued to exchange bites, our conversation flowed effortlessly. We talked about our plans for the day, shared stories from the past, and reveled in the comfort of each other’s company.
The simple act of sharing a meal became a cherished ritual, a moment of unity and nourishment that transcended physical sustenance.
With each bite, I felt a sense of closeness and intimacy, as if the world around us faded into the background, leaving only the two of us in our own little bubble of love.
We laughed, we teased, and we reveled in the joy of being together.
The breakfast was soon finished, but our connection lingered, the warmth of our love filling the room. Nicklaus leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to my lips, his affectionate gesture a testament to the depth of his feelings. It felt like he had been waiting for the opportunity to kiss me.
“Thank you for this beautiful morning, Gabrielle,” he whispered, his voice laced with gratitude.
I smiled, my heart swelling with love for this incredible man. “Thank you for understanding my emotions even when I didn’t speak, Nicklaus. Your presence fills my days with so much joy.”
“Thank you for appreciating the little things.”
As we sat there, entwined in each other’s arms, we knew that no matter the challenges that lay ahead, we had each other.
Our love was a beacon of strength and resilience, guiding us through the ups and downs of life.
And so, in that moment, we reveled in the simple beauty of love and connection, cherishing the breakfast that had brought us closer together.
We sat together in comfortable silence; a part of me felt restless about something that was bothering me, and I had to tell him.
“Nicklaus… there’s something I’d love to discuss with you,” I muttered after using the first few minutes to overthink.