89. Love Yourself

Nikolai

Ava's eyes closed and I tightened my hold on her waist and her legs.

"He is yours to kill." I looked at Javier, jutting my chin towards Maggot before I left the cottage with my brave mate in my arms.

I was in awe of her strength. I knew she would come at least once before the eight days were up. But she still managed to shock me with the strength that she carried inside her. All of us were shocked.

I saw something in her eyes that day that made me realize something. I felt like I had been enlightened. She was done with her past now. She was done being the submissive, meek Avalyn she had been moulded into. Ava had broken out of that enclosure and was ready to metamorphose into the strong, confident and brilliant woman who would lead this world by my side. I just hoped she recognized that too and would listen to me with an open mind this time around.

Halfway on our way to the cottage we were staying Ava's eyes fluttered open. Her hair turned back to brown and her eyes were b