For a long moment, neither of them moved. They just stared at each other, the weight of everything that had happened settling around them.
Lucas was the first to break the silence.
"Come here," he said softly.
Leona moved closer, and Lucas pulled her down to sit on the edge of the table beside him. He shifted so they were facing each other, his hand still cupping her face.
"I almost died today," he said.
"I know."
"And you saved me. Risked everything to save me."
"I couldn't let you die."
"Because you love me." He said it like he was testing the words, seeing how they felt.
Leona's heart was racing. "Yes."
"Say it again."
"I love you, Lucas Crisen." This time the words came easier, more natural. "I love you, and it terrifies me, and I have no idea how we're going to make this work, but I don't care anymore. I'm tired of fighting it."
