Chapter 32

32

T halia stood there, frozen, her heart racing as Finn walked away from her. The weight of his words pressed down on her chest like a boulder, crushing her with every step he took. She couldn’t believe what had just happened, what he had said — what he hadn’t said.

The taste of his kiss still lingered on her lips, searing and sweet, a reminder of everything they’d shared and everything he was trying to take away from her.

I will not stand for it. Not now. Not after everything we have been through.

Her legs moved before her mind could catch up.

“Finn!” she called, her voice cracking with the effort. She could feel the tears threatening to spill over, but she pushed them back. She wouldn’t let him see her cry. Not like this. Not when she was this furious. She deserved answers.

He kept walking, his broad shoulders stiff and his pace deliberate. Like he thought he could outrun her as he took the stairs two steps at a time, or he could outrun the pain that hung between them like a thick fog.

“Finn!” she called again, her voice louder this time, angrier.

He stopped just outside his chamber. Slowly, he turned to face her, his expression unreadable. The moment their eyes locked, Thalia’s heart jumped, but she forced herself to keep her footing.

“He cannot just say goodbye like it meant nothing, like what we had meant nothing,” she murmured to herself in a frenzied whisper.

Thalia closed the distance between them in a flurry of emotions, her anger surging with every step she took.

“What is wrong with you?” she snapped, her voice trembling with frustration. “How can you just walk away like that? Again! How can you say goodbye so coldly? After everything that’s happened — after all we’ve been through!”

Finn’s jaw clenched, his eyes darkening with something she couldn’t quite place, but he remained silent.

“Why did you help me?” she demanded, her hands balling into fists at her sides. “Why did you come back just to help me find Arabella? Why do you keep doing this, Finn? Being so kind one moment and then so bloody cruel the next?”

Her voice cracked, the tears finally spilling over despite her best efforts to keep them at bay. She wiped at her eyes angrily, hating that she was showing this much vulnerability in front of him, but the words kept spilling out.

“Why did you make me love you, only to let me go?” Her voice was barely a whisper now, the weight of her confession hanging heavy between them.

Finn’s expression shifted at her words, something flickering in his eyes that made her heart stutter. He took a step toward her, then another, until he was standing right in front of her. Thalia glared up at him, her chest heaving with every breath, the anger and hurt boiling inside her like a storm.

She opened her mouth to speak again, but before she could say another word, Finn’s hands were on her, his grip firm but gentle as he pulled her toward him.

And then he kissed her.

It wasn’t the soft, hesitant kiss from earlier. This was different — urgent, raw, filled with all the emotions they had both been holding back. Thalia gasped against his lips, her mind going blank as the fire between them ignited once again, hotter and more intense than ever before. She clutched his shirt, pulling him closer, needing him, wanting him with a desperation she hadn’t realized she was capable of.

When Finn finally pulled back, his forehead rested against hers, both of them breathing heavily, their hearts pounding in unison. His hands cupped her face, his thumbs brushing away the tears that still clung to her skin.

“Don’t lie to me, Finn. Don’t keep things from me. I know you weren’t lying that night we met your friends. You love me.” Her breathless challenge tugged at the corners of his mouth.

“I do love ye, Thalia,” he said, his voice rough and hoarse, like the words were being torn from him. “I love ye more than I’ve ever loved anyone in my life.”

Thalia’s breath caught in her throat, her heart swelling with a mixture of disbelief and hope. She blinked up at him, her lips parting in shock. “Then why —”

“Because ye deserve a choice,” Finn interrupted, his voice low but fierce. “I never wanted to trap ye in this life, to make ye stay when ye could have more. When ye could have freedom.”

“Freedom?” she echoed, her brow furrowing. “Do you think I want freedom from you?

Finn closed his eyes for a moment, his grip on her tightening. “I dinnae want ye to feel like ye have to stay with me because of our arrangement. I want ye to choose me. Only if it’s what ye truly want.”

Thalia’s heart pounded as she stared at him, his words sinking in. She could see the conflict in his eyes, the war he was fighting within himself. He wasn’t trying to push her away because he didn’t care.

He was trying to give me an out — to let me go because he thought it was what was best for me.

But that wasn’t what she wanted. Not even close.

She reached up, her fingers curling around the back of his neck, pulling him closer. Her voice was steady when she spoke, each word a declaration. “I don’t want freedom, Finn. I want you. I’ve said it before. I say it now, again.”

Finn’s breath hitched, his eyes searching hers for any sign of doubt. When he didn’t find any, he exhaled slowly, his hand moving to cradle her cheek. “If ye choose me, Thalia… I’ll never let ye go. Ye will always be mine. Wholly.”

There was a warning in his voice, a promise wrapped in fire and steel. He was telling her that if she made this choice, there would be no turning back. He would claim her — completely, without hesitation, without mercy.

Thalia’s pulse raced, but she didn’t flinch. Instead, she met his gaze head-on, her chin lifting in defiance, a spark of challenge lighting in her eyes. “Then so be it,” she said, her voice steady and strong. “I’m not afraid of you.”

Finn’s eyes darkened, a throaty chuckle escaping him as he lowered his head, his lips brushing against hers in a way that sent shivers down her spine. “Aye, lass,” he murmured, his voice thick with heat. “Ye’ve never been one to back down from a challenge.”

Thalia grinned against his mouth, her heart racing with exhilaration. “I’ll never back down from you.”

The tension between them snapped, and they crashed into each other again, their mouths meeting in a kiss that was fierce and hungry, like two forces that couldn’t be kept apart any longer. The world around them faded into nothingness, and all that mattered was this moment — this connection, this fire that burned between them.

She felt him move as he reached behind him and opened the large door, and her heart raced as Finn’s lips met hers again, the kiss fierce and hungry, filled with a need that had been building between them for far too long.

She felt the fire of his touch, the way his hands gripped her waist and pulled her closer as if he couldn’t bear to be apart from her for even a moment. Every inch of her was alive, burning for him, and when his lips left hers and began trailing down her neck, she let out a soft gasp, her fingers tangling in his hair.

“Thalia,” he murmured against her skin, his voice rough with desire. “Are ye sure?”

She didn’t hesitate, her answer immediate, her heart pounding in her chest as she whispered, “Yes, Finn. I’m sure.”

That was all he needed. His arms wrapped around her tighter, and before she knew it, he had lifted her up, carrying her into his chambers as if she weighed nothing and pressing her back against the nearest wall. His lips found hers again in a kiss that was nothing short of desperate, and Thalia could feel the intensity in every movement, every touch. Her body responded to him in ways she hadn’t known were possible, and she felt a heat low in her belly that made her ache for him even more.

They were tangled in each other, hands roaming, exploring, pulling at clothes in a frenzy of passion. Finn’s breath was hot against her skin as his lips traveled down to her collarbone, and Thalia let out a soft moan, her head falling back as she surrendered to him completely. She had never wanted anyone the way she wanted him, had never felt this level of need, this depth of connection.

“Ye drive me mad, woman,” Finn growled, his voice thick with emotion as his hands gripped her hips. “I cannae control myself when I’m near ye.”

Thalia’s breath hitched, her heart swelling at his words. She wanted to tell him that she felt the same, that she had been losing herself to him from the moment they met, but words felt too small, too inadequate for what she was feeling. Instead, she reached for him, her hands running over the hard planes of his chest, her fingers exploring every inch of him. She could feel the muscles beneath his shirt, the strength in him, and it made her pulse quicken even more.

They moved together, their bodies pressed so tightly against each other that there was no space left between them, and when Finn finally pulled her into his arms, carrying her toward the bed, Thalia’s breath caught in her throat. Her heart raced as she looked up at him, his eyes dark and intense as they gazed into hers.

“Thalia…” His voice was thick with emotion, and the way he said her name sent shivers down her spine. “Ye will have to tell me to stop if ye daenae want this to happen.”

“Finn,” she whispered, her hands sliding up his chest and over his shoulders. “I’m yours. I’m all yours.”

That was all it took. The rest of the world fell away, and it was just the two of them — tangled together, their bodies moving as one. Thalia had never felt anything like this before — the intensity, the heat, the connection that seemed to flow between them with every touch, every kiss. She felt as if she was burning, and Finn was the only one who could quench the fire.

Their movements were frantic, urgent, as if they were both afraid that the moment would slip away if they didn’t hold onto it tightly enough. Finn’s hands roamed over her body, leaving a trail of heat in their wake, and Thalia found herself arching into him, her breath coming in quick gasps as she lost herself in the sensations he was drawing from her.

He caressed her wet need with his deft fingers, teasing her with pleasure until she felt the ball of tension rest low in between her hips. “Finn, no. I want it to be you this time.”

He shifted, his shirt and trousers were off, and he expertly untied her bodice and pulled off her skirts. They were bare, nothing between them, utterly vulnerable to each other.

Thalia reached out for him, and he crawled up her body slowly until his hard arousal rested between her thighs. She felt him throb for her, and he hovered over her, the sight of him taking her breath away with desire.

“I need you,” she said, and he slowly eased himself into her. The size of him unlocked something within her. She let out a cry of pain and pleasure as he reached her apex.

“Christ, Thalia… Are ye okay?” he managed to growl out and the feeling of him retreating from her caused her to grip onto his shoulder tightly.

“Yes, please don’t stop. I —” she started to say, but he entered her again and again, and with each slow thrust, she felt her body release so he could fill her even deeper.

His pace quickened, and she felt the world narrow down to the feel of his body against hers, the sound of his ragged breathing in her ear, the way his hands gripped her as if he never wanted to let her go. Thalia’s heart pounded in her chest, her mind spinning, and all she could think was that she never wanted this to end. She never wanted to let him go.

Another growl worked its way up his chest, and he loosed a tight moan, her name on his lips, and her body arched for him, angling him in a way that completely took her breath away. She moaned with satisfaction and raked her nails down his back.

“Christ, Thalia… Come on, love… Let me see ye,” he managed to snarl out through his thrusts that were harder and faster with each passing moment, and she felt herself feel the edge of the cliff she was on. She was ready to fall, she wanted him to be the one. She wanted this. She wanted him, forever.

Her mind went blank with ecstasy as waves of hedonistic pleasure crashed over her. He was not far behind her as he continued to move inside of her, filling her deeper and harder still. Each ragged breath came in quickly and with more need than his previous breath. His grip held the headboard above her as he arched himself to reach as deep as she could possibly handle, and with another sigh of desire, he released into her with wild, uncontrolled arousal.

His breaths were crazed, but he still searched for her mouth. When it was over, they lay together, their bodies tangled in the sheets, the heat of the moment still lingering between them. Thalia’s head rested against Finn’s chest, her fingers tracing lazy patterns across his skin as they both caught their breath.

Finn’s arms were wrapped tightly around her, holding her close, and she could feel the steady rise and fall of his chest beneath her cheek. For a long moment, neither of them spoke, the silence between them comfortable, filled with the unspoken understanding that something had shifted — something important.

After a while, Thalia tilted her head to look up at him, her heart still racing from the intensity of what they had shared. “What now?” she asked softly, her voice barely more than a whisper.

Finn looked down at her, his eyes softening as he brushed a strand of hair from her face. “We tell the others,” he said quietly, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “We tell them ye arenae leaving.”

Thalia’s heart swelled at his words, and for the first time in what felt like forever, she felt a sense of peace wash over her.

We aren’t leaving. I am not leaving. I am staying here with Finn and the people I have come to care about.

With a soft smile, she nodded. “Aye,” she agreed, her voice steady. “Let’s tell them.”

When they returned to the great hall, hand in hand, the others were already gathered. Thalia could feel the curious gazes of her sisters and the other women, their eyes flicking between her and Finn as they entered. There was a palpable tension in the air, as if everyone was holding their breath, waiting for the inevitable goodbye.

But instead of a farewell, Thalia smiled.

“We’re not leaving,” she announced, her voice firm and clear though her heart was racing with nervous excitement. “We’ve decided that we should stay.”

For a moment, there was silence — complete and total silence, as if no one quite knew how to react. And then, like a dam breaking, the room erupted into a mix of cheers, laughter, and shouts of joy.

Scarlett was the first to reach her, throwing her arms around Thalia in a tight hug. “I’m so glad, lass,” she said with a wide grin. “We all are.”

Nylah came next, her eyes shining with happiness. “I told ye,” she said with a knowing smile. “Ye belong here.”

Thalia’s sisters, who had been standing nearby, looked at her with a mix of relief and excitement. Arabella practically jumped into her arms, her small face lighting up with a wide smile. “We are staying now?” she asked, her voice filled with hope.

“Yes, darling,” Thalia said, hugging her sister tightly. “We’re staying.”

Arabella squealed, her joy bubbling over, and soon the rest of Thalia’s sisters joined them, surrounding her in a flurry of hugs and laughter. Diana, ever the eldest and the most level-headed, placed a hand on Thalia’s shoulder and smiled. “We were prepared to go,” she said softly, her tone serious, “but I’m glad ye’ve chosen to stay. We’re glad.”

Thalia stood there, her breath catching as she took in the scene. The great hall, once filled with anxious energy and sadness over her impending departure, was now buzzing with excitement. The warmth of the fire crackled behind her, but it was nothing compared to the heat that flooded her chest, knowing that this here was home.

As the congratulations and well-wishes continued to pour in from the women gathered around her, Thalia couldn’t help but glance across the room at Finn. He was standing by the fireplace, his broad figure bathed in the warm glow of the flames, his eyes never leaving hers as his friends gathered around him too. His expression was unreadable, but there was a softness in his gaze that made her heart skip a beat.

For a moment, it was as though the rest of the world faded away. It was just them — Thalia and Finn — in the midst of this joyous celebration. The others’ voices became distant, their laughter a soft hum in the background, as Thalia’s gaze locked with Finn’s.

The weight of the world seemed to lift form her shoulders. She had found her place, her home. And it was him. He was where she had always belonged.