94

Isabella

"No, this is my fault," I said to Damon. "I ran away. I ran like a coward. I left them. I left them to Rodrigo, and he ruined this place. You tried, but... it looks like there's only so much you could do. The city... it needs me. I get that now. But I ran from it. I ran from my place, and everything fell to ruin."

Damon caressed my cheek and bent his head to peck me on my forehead. "You are here now," he said, and everything became clear. I was here, and I was here to fix things. I wrapped my arm around his waist and buried my head in his chest.

His scent did wonders as my nose practically rejoiced to have him close to me again, breathing in his French coffee and sage smell.

I loved him.

I heard someone clear their throat behind us, interrupting the perfect moment we were having.

"I'm sorry, King," the voice said. While I was about to get angry, I realized that we couldn't just stand around and hug each other forever. Duty pulled at the sense of duty in my mind.

The