I woke up to the warm feeling of Eli's arms around me, my head against his bare chest and his steady heartbeat bringing me back to the present.

My body was spent. Completely. Aching all over but it was a good kind of ache. The ache that came with six orgasms in different positions - From missionary, doggy style, cowgirl to fucking me slowly sideways, reverse cow girl and finally in the shower against the wall.

My voice was hoarse from moaning and screaming in pleasure. I have never been more glad for a sound proof room than yesterday. What truly made me feel so much pleasure though was the reverence with which Eli touched me. No matter the position, he held me like I was the most precious treasure in his life whispering praises and sweet words of compliments.

From caressing my skin, tongue worshipping my throat, neck and nipples to cradling me close to him with each hard and rough thrusts. I felt adored, desired and worshipped beyond measure.

When I was completely spent, he took care of me in the shower, taking his time to wash me clean gently and reverently. He even massaged my entire body afterwards with chamomile oil, kneading and stroking my aching muscle, asking me multiple times if I was okay. Even in between the intense love making sessions, he simply held me in his arms when I needed a break, peppering kisses against my jaw and cheek. Content with just holding me.

That is, before we went back at it again like bunnies.

But the care and warmth I felt in his arms last night felt profoundly peaceful to my soul. Soothing. After dressing me up in a pair of shorts and his shirt, he even made my favourite bowl of ramen by the time dawn came and went downstairs to take care of Elysium for breakfast. Thankfully, he didn't have school today since it was a school holiday. But Me? There was no way I was going to work today, I needed sleep, him and cozy moments spent together with Elysium.

Which is precisely why Eli came back to me right after having breakfast with Elysium. He always knew what I needed. I never had to say anything to him. The moment he removed his shirt and settled in bed again, wrapping me in a warm embrace, I fell asleep peacefully, lulled by his soothing heartbeat.

It was already quarter past eleven right now but I didn't have the heart to get out of bed yet. I sighed contently and traced patterns on Eli's bare chest.

The moment I touched him, I felt his hold tighten. "Good morning, my little Flame. How are you feeling?" Eli whispered, hands stroking my hair gently.

"Good morning, Mi Sol (My Sun)I'm alright, you?"I whispered back, staring up at him with a soft gaze.

His eyes searched my face. "I'm fine, are you sure you're okay? Is your body hurting?"

I smiled softly and placed a soft kiss on his jawline before hugging him tighter "I'm more than okay, El"

"Alright, baby" Eli exhaled, placing a soft kiss on my temple, his thumb rubbing soothing circles on my side.

For a while afterward neither of us spoke.

There was no need.

The silence felt comfortable.

Sacred.

My fingers traced his tattoos tenderly, a quiet moment of contentment in the arms of the man I loved beyond measure.

"I made Agnus put trackers in all of your shoes, same thing for Elysium but as a precaution in case word got to my father. Agnus put one tracker in Elysium's favourite ring without anyone else knowing. As for you, I want you to always wear that when you're going out" Eli whispered, pulling out one of my green scrunchies he bought me a long time back from the bedside drawer.

"Where did you get that? I thought I lost it"I mumbled as I took it from him.

"I took it so I could ensure Agnus put a tracker on it. Only him and I know about this. Not even Landon. It's better this way as a safety measure" Eli responded quietly deep in thoughts.

"But what about Agnus? What if he says something?"I asked, sitting up and tying my hair with the scrunchy.

"Agnus doesn't feel any sort of debt towards father, he will easily deflect or simply respond that he cannot reveal the operations of his boss. Something father will begrudgingly respect. But I wouldn't put it past my father to use any means possible to find out about the trackers. Father is manipulative when he wants to. I cannot take any risk of him extracting information from anyone that could reach Kyron easily. Landon would never betray me willingly either but Father knows exactly where to hit someone to get what he wants and he raised Landon so it's safer this way." Eli said, jaw clenched. I knew he was still upset with his father about what happened.

Wanting to soothe him, I grabbed his hand in mine, gently tracing the veins on his hand. "Kyron won't win. We won't let him, okay?"

Eli nodded, eyes softening. "I just don't want you to get hurt. The trackers are to ensure I always know where you are."

"I don't even want to fathom the idea of him getting to you. But if it happens.." His obsidian eyes turned pained, the hand I'm holding tightening around mine before he continued "if he manages to get to you, Little Flame. I'll find you. I will turn Mexico upside down if needed"

My heart raced at his words, it was a realistic possibility considering Kyron's meticulous and calculated demeanour, he could get to me even if we took measures against him. He was a killer who's been hiding for ages after all but I was also always a fighter through and through.

"If he manages to get to me, El. I promise you I'll give him hell." I said with conviction. I have had enough self defense classes and training in my life to know how to get out of any potential kidnapping. Mom and dad had ensured that much. They were both famous and thus paranoid about my safety since early childhood.

Eli's eyes shimmered with pride and satisfaction. "I don't doubt it a single second."

"But remember, you hit where it hurts. Disarm him. Strike his throat, hurt his eyes. Hit anywhere you can. He might be physically stronger but your brilliant mind, little Flame is your greatest weapon against him." Eli added, voice calm and calculated.

I nodded, settling back against his chest lost in thoughts. As much as yesterday was forever imprinted on my mind, I wasn't lost to the reality of our situation. It's been almost a week now and yet the Silver Strangler.. Kyron hasn't shown a glimpse of life. Nothing at all. That unnerved me. He was more patient than I anticipated but then again if a man can wait years to meticulously take out the ones responsible for his sister's death, he can definitely wait patiently to get to me.

The thought of how his eyes looked malicious when he was choking me made goosebumps rise on my arms. If he got to me, he would take his pent up frustration out for sure.

"Hey.. Look at me" Eli gently titled my chin up, eyes boring into mine.

"You're a fighter, little Flame. I have never seen anyone as strong as you. You don't give up. That's not something you have ever done. Even in high school, you never once gave up no matter what others thought about you. You pushed against their judgmental stares and became who you wanted. A wonderful ballerina. An amazing mother. Don't let him get to you. Fear is his primary weapon. Counter that fear with faith in yourself. You're not alone. We are going to make it through, no matter what"His soft reassuring words calmed my soul, my heart slowly beating in a normal rhythm.

I exhaled quietly. "You're right, we will make it."

"Side by side" Eli vowed placing a soft kiss on my forehead.

"Side by Side" I whispered back, praying to God that we did.

I wanted our life together. And I would fight for it no matter what.