" Alex, alex, please stay ," I screamed in agony, because th whole thing looked so real to me and that scared me.
__
I woke up with a gasp, my chest hammering so hard I felt like it might burst. The remnants of the dream clung to me, suffocating, sticky, like the blood and shadows hadn't left, like Alexander was still there, holding me close, his lips brushing my cheek. My sheets were twisted around me, damp with sweat, and my body trembled from the intensity of the vision.
Before I could even process where I was, Charles rushed into the room. His face was full of worry, and the moment he saw me sitting up, hair damp and disheveled, eyes wide and unblinking, relief softened his expression.
"I heard you gasping," he said softly, stepping closer. In his hand was a glass of water, condensation sliding down the smooth surface. He held it toward me with a steady, gentle hand, as if simply giving me the water could anchor me back to reality.
I reached for it, my fingers brushing his briefly, and I shivered, the touch sending a small wave of comfort through me. I drank slowly, letting the cool water soothe the raw edges of my throat and the tremor in my hands.
Charles stayed close, his voice calm, soft, and steady. "It's alright, Evie. You're safe. You're okay," he said. His hand rested lightly on my shoulder as I shifted, still shaking. "Breathe. In… and out. Take your time."
I followed his instructions, each breath grounding me further, reminding me that I wasn't in that nightmare anymore. I wasn't drenched in blood, Alexander's arms weren't holding me, the shadows had receded. Slowly, I relaxed, my muscles softening, my trembling easing.
"Better?" he asked gently, a faint smile on his lips.
I nodded, still shaky but calmer. "Much… thank you, Charles."
He nodded, stepping back slightly, leaving me with a final reassurance. "If you need anything, I'm right here."
Meanwhile, I could almost feel Alexander in my thoughts, and I knew he was elsewhere in the mansion, probably sitting in the study, tense and composed as always. He had that leather chair beneath him, the desk in front, a crisp envelope in his hand. I could picture it—the wax seal, the elegant paper inside. An invitation from his father. The Quinn family reunion. Next week. And somehow, he had already thought of me.
Sure enough, shortly after, he appeared at my door. My heart skipped a beat when I saw him holding the invitation. He knelt on one knee, just in front of me, and held it out with that same calm, determined look I'd always known.
"Evie," he said softly, voice low and almost tender, "next week… my father's reunion. The mansion. I want you to be there with me. I want you to be… my lady for this reunion. Will you?"
I felt my heart hammering in my chest. The seriousness in his eyes, the care, the protective tension—it was overwhelming. I nodded, a smile breaking across my lips despite my nerves. "Yes," I whispered.
He took my hand, lifting it gently, and kissed the back of it. His eyes never left mine, and in that moment, I felt everything. Relief, affection, devotion—he was saying without words that he would protect me, that I was his.
The next morning, I woke with a mixture of excitement and nerves. I wanted to go with him, of course, but my wardrobe was all wrong for the reunion. I told him, a little frustrated.
"I want to go with you," I said, "but I… I don't have a dress for something like that."
Alexander smiled reassuringly, that soft, confident smile that always calmed me. "That isn't a problem," he said. "We'll get you something perfect."
I felt a thrill of excitement. Together, we prepared, and his presence alone was calming.
The next day, we went to the mall. I held his hand as we walked through the crowds, feeling a little nervous and out of place at first, but his grip anchored me. "See?" he said softly, squeezing my hand. "Nothing to worry about. Just pick what you like, and we'll make it work."
I laughed a little, the tension leaving my shoulders as we moved through the stores. I tried on dress after dress, each one making me feel different—nervous, excited, confident. Alexander was patient, offering opinions only when I asked, never pushing, always attentive.
When I twirled in a deep blue gown, the fabric flowing around me, I saw his gaze soften. "That one," he said simply, eyes fixed on mine. "It's perfect for you."
I blushed, feeling warmth spreading through me. I nodded silently, knowing that with him by my side, even something as intimidating as the reunion would feel manageable.
He carried some of the bags, and on the drive home, I rested my head against his shoulder, letting the warmth of his body and the rhythm of his breathing calm me further.
"Thank you," I whispered.
"For what?" he asked, glancing at me with a faint smirk.
"For making it all feel… easy," I said.
He chuckled softly. "It's easy because you're with me. That's all that matters."
The rest of the drive passed in quiet, comfortable intimacy. The memory of my nightmare had faded slightly, replaced with anticipation and excitement. With Alexander, even the chaos, even the shadows, couldn't touch me—not truly.
By the time we returned home, I felt confident, excited, and ready. Alexander placed a gentle hand on my knee, thumb brushing lightly over my skin. "Ready for the reunion?" he asked, teasing but protective.
"With you?" I whispered. "Always."
His gaze softened, the usual controlled, calculating Alexander replaced with a tender, almost vulnerable version that made my heart flutter. "Good," he murmured. "Because I don't want anyone else by my side, Evie."
That evening, as the sun dipped lower, casting its warm glow through the windows, I realized something important. That shopping trip wasn't just about picking a dress—it was about sharing a moment with him, building a memory together. And with Alexander, no matter what came next—reunion, danger, shadows, or blood—I knew I could face it all.
Because tonight, he wasn't just my protector. He was my partner. My confidant. My strength.
And together… we would navigate whatever came next.