I held her in my arms, heart racing as she remained quiet, staring at nothing in particular. Since I carried her out bridal style, she didn't utter a single word. Not even when we got in the backseat and Agnus drove off.

She remained completely still as if her body was here but her soul? Her soul was trapped in the recesses of her own mind. I ran my fingers through her hair, heart aching at the hell she went through. God how much I wished I arrived sooner. When I got to her and saw the bruise on her jaw that was already darkening to a deep purple, I wanted nothing more than to kill Kyron with my bare hands.

My jaw clenched at the thought of that piece of shit putting his hands on her but I closed my eyes knowing Celine killed him and if there was anything that I learned today was that protection.. It was never about locking her away from the world.

All along the way it's been about making sure she never had to face the world alone. That no matter what, I would be there. So I stood and let her kill him because I understood from the look in her eyes that she needed it. The worry, the constant stress and torment of wondering when Kyron would strike had given her countless restless nights. The only way she would free herself from it was by killing him.

"Landon did it, I know you are aware of it by now.. But why did he do such a thing?"Celine asked in a barely audible voice, making my chest ache.

I pressed my lips against her hair and told her about everything that happened while I was looking for her. Her body tensed so much by the time I finished, she felt rigid in my arms. But I only held her tighter.

"He was 5 years old.. God.. That's horrible" Celine murmured.

I squeezed my eyes shut.

Of course.

Of course, even after nearly dying, she was thinking about Landon's pain.

I exhaled slowly.

My Beautiful Flame.

My impossibly compassionate Flame.

Even now...

Still kind.

Still thinking about everyone else.

I opened my eyes and held her closer. "That still didn't give him the right to do what he did."

"No, it doesn't justify it but I understand him.. Eli. We both can try to understand him but we cannot truly know how it feels to feel what he did that day. He didn't lose just his mom but his dad too, all in the span of a few seconds. This would mess with anyone's head" Celine sighed, pulling back to look at me with a myriad of emotions.

I sighed hating how right she was. "I know, baby"

"He confessed where the location was. If he hadn't, I wouldn't have been this understanding towards him. But if our son managed to get to him.. It means there's still good in him. He didn't turn out like Kyron completely." Celine said quietly, her eyes flashing with vulnerability.

I leaned my forehead against hers tenderly, my jaw clenched at the painful reminder of what Landon did and caused. But Celine was right. Maybe if Elysium had listened and stayed in his room, Landon would have died by his gun or mine. But he pulled back from the path of destruction he was treading on for our son. Maybe there was hope for him.

"I forgive him.. Not because what he did was right but because he chose right in the end. And I don't want to hold ill feelings towards him. I just want a peaceful fresh start" Celine said as she leaned her head against the crook of my neck.

I ran my fingers through her hair,
processing her words. "I'll forgive him.. But he needs help."

"And we will give it to him. We will employ the best psychiatrist and psychologists. He will heal, Boss" Agnus said from the driver seat. I had almost forgotten we weren't alone.

I inclined my head but the weight of what he went through still wore me down. I just wished I had known.

"Listen to me, El." Celine whispered, staring up at me with a knowing look.

"You are not responsible for what happened. You are not responsible for what your parents chose to do. I think they made decisions in their own pain and sorrow. They couldn't have known what would have happened years later. I'm not asking you to forgive them immediately but to take the time to process everything and give them a chance to redeem themselves if you wish to" Celine said, making my hold on her tighten reverently.

God what did I do to deserve such a compassionate, understanding and loving woman?

"And what happened to me wasn't your fault. You protected me as much as you could. It was your words that helped me disarm Kyron. Even when I was physically alone with him, you were with me. In my thoughts, heart and mind" Celine said with a soft gaze.

My eyes softened as I looked down at her.

"I know.. But it frightened me."

There was no anger in my words. No pride. No shame.

Only raw honesty.

She cupped my cheek gently in response and said "No matter how well you tried to protect me, you couldn't have predicted the stunt Kyron pulled"

I kissed her forehead. "I know but my instincts don't understand that."

Another kiss.

"They only know that you disappeared."

My voice softened as emotions rose "And for those few hours.."

I swallowed.

"...I thought I had lost you."

She gave me the smallest smile. And then she spoke. "You won't ever lose me."

I nodded and exhaled quietly, taking refuge in her warm embrace.

"No matter what."

She looked directly into my eyes. "You can't lose me. Not when we are both so deeply bonded."

My throat tightened.

"No matter how far I have gone, you will always find me and bring me back like you did today." Celine said, placing a soft kiss close to my lips. Her thumb brushed gently along my cheek.

"Because we chose each other and we will keep choosing each other, always." She whispered the words so tenderly they felt like a vow caressing my soul.

I closed my eyes. Her words reached places even divine power couldn't touch.

"You will always have me by your side" I whispered softly.

I opened my eyes and stared at her with all the love I held for her and yet It felt like my eyes weren't enough to convey the depths of my love for her. We would be alright together. It wouldn't be easy but together? We would overcome it all. And hopefully Landon would heal, enough that one day he could build a better present and future for himself. We would all be by his side. Even Agnus would be there for Landon. When I explained the situation to him on our way to Celine, his chocolate brown eyes, usually so playful, turned so sorrowful and hurt when he discovered Landon's betrayal and painful childhood.

No matter how much these two argued, Agnus loved him as much as I did. I knew he would be there too. And hopefully mom and dad would realise their mistakes, make amends and let us leave the guild for good. I wanted a peaceful life now more than ever. For Landon too.

Celine's forehead touched mine again. "I'll always be with you too"

She offered me a tiny smile."We vowed Eternity, remember?"

A breath escaped me.

Almost a broken laugh.

Almost a sob.

"Eternity."

I repeated the word softly and held her closer as Agnus drove us home. Back to our son. To our new future together.

I glanced toward the window. "For the time being, you are not staying late at the company again"

She immediately looked incredulous. My little over achiever.

I chuckled. "Yes."

I kissed her temple.

"That rule is eternal too."