30. New Beginnings

Luca

Luca's eyes fluttered open, the first rays of sunlight filtering through the curtains and casting a warm, golden glow over the room. For a moment, he simply lay there, his mind still hazy with the remnants of sleep, his body aching with the dull, persistent throb of healing wounds.

But then, as his gaze drifted to the side, all thoughts of pain and discomfort vanished, replaced by a rush of love and contentment so strong that it stole the breath from his lungs.

There, lying beside him, was Rowan, his mate, his love, his everything. The fae prince's face was peaceful in slumber, his long lashes casting delicate shadows against his cheeks, his lips parted slightly as he breathed in and out in a slow, steady rhythm.

Luca felt his heart swell with emotion, a lump rising in his throat as he drank in the sight of his beloved. It had been two days since the attack at Willowbrook, two days since they had faced down the forces of darkness and emerged victorious, if not unscathed.

But even now, with the memories of that terrible battle still fresh in his mind, Luca couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude and wonder, a deep and abiding thankfulness for the precious moments he and Rowan shared.

Unable to resist the urge to express his affection, Luca leaned in, his lips brushing against Rowan's in a gentle, feather-light kiss. "Good morning, my love," he whispered, his voice rough with sleep and emotion.

Rowan stirred, his eyelids fluttering open to reveal those stunning violet eyes that never failed to take Luca's breath away. A sleepy smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, his hand coming up to cup Luca's cheek in a tender caress.

"Mmm, good morning to you too," he murmured, his voice soft and warm with affection. "I could get used to waking up like this every day."

Luca felt a grin tugging at his own lips, a playful spark kindling in his chest. "Oh, really?" he teased, his fingers dancing along Rowan's side in a mischievous tickle. "Even if I do this?"

Rowan let out a yelp of laughter, his body squirming and wriggling as he tried to escape Luca's relentless attack. "Luca!" he gasped, his eyes sparkling with mirth and joy. "Stop it, you brute!"

But Luca was merciless, his own laughter mingling with Rowan's as he continued his playful assault. The sound of their shared joy filled the room, chasing away the lingering shadows of the past few days and replacing them with a warmth and light that seemed to suffuse every corner of their little haven.

Finally, breathless and giddy, Luca relented, his arms wrapping around Rowan's waist and pulling him close. He buried his face in the crook of his mate's neck, breathing in the sweet, familiar scent of him.

"I love you," he whispered, his voice muffled against Rowan's skin. "I love you so much, Rowan. I don't know what I would do without you."

Rowan's arms tightened around him, his hand coming up to stroke the short, silky strands of Luca's hair. "I love you too, Luca," he murmured, his voice soft and filled with a quiet, unwavering conviction. "More than anything in this world or the next."

They lay like that for a long moment, their bodies entwined and their hearts beating in perfect sync. Luca could feel the steady thrum of Rowan's pulse against his own, could feel the warmth and strength of his mate's embrace seeping into his very bones.

But even as he savored the peaceful, perfect moment, Luca couldn't ignore the nagging sense of unease that lurked at the back of his mind, the knowledge that their battle was far from over.

"Now, what do you say we get up and face the day? I don't know about you, but I'm starving."

Luca chuckled, the somber mood broken by Rowan's playful, irreverent tone. "You're always starving," he teased, his own lips twitching with a hint of a smirk. "But yeah, let's get some food in you before you waste away to nothing."

Together, they rose from the bed, their movements perfectly synchronized as they went about their morning routine. Luca couldn't help but marvel at the easy, natural way they moved around each other, the way they seemed to anticipate each other's needs and desires without even having to speak.

It was a testament to the strength of their bond, to the depth of the love and understanding that flowed between them like a never-ending river.

As they stepped into the shower, the hot water cascading over their bodies and washing away the last lingering traces of sleep and fatigue, Luca felt a sense of peace and contentment settle over him, a feeling of rightness and belonging that he had never known before.

Here, in this moment, with Rowan by his side and the promise of a future together stretching out before them like an endless, shining road, he knew that he was exactly where he was meant to be, doing exactly what he was meant to do.

As Luca and Rowan entered the kitchen, their laughter and playful banter filling the air, Luca stopped short, his eyes widening in surprise at the sight that greeted him. There, sitting at the table and engaged in warm, animated conversation, were his mother and Rowan's mother, Queen Elara.

"Mom?" he said, his voice filled with a mix of confusion and delight. "What are you doing here? And with Queen Elara, no less?"

His mother looked up, her eyes sparkling with joy and affection as she rose from her seat to pull him into a tight, fierce hug. "Oh, Luca," she murmured, her voice soft and filled with emotion. "Can't a mother come and visit her son and his mate without an ulterior motive?"

Luca chuckled, his arms tightening around his mother's waist as he breathed in the familiar, comforting scent of her. "Of course," he said, his voice muffled against her shoulder. "But it's not every day that I find you chatting with the Queen of the Seelie Court like you're old friends."

His mother pulled back, her hands coming up to cup his face as she gazed at him with a look of pure, unbridled love. "Well, we have a lot in common, Elara and I," she said, her voice filled with a quiet, knowing amusement. "We're both mothers who love our sons more than anything in this world or the next."

Luca felt his heart swell with emotion, a lump rising in his throat as he saw the truth of his mother's words shining in her eyes. He had always known that she loved him, that she would do anything to protect him and keep him safe. But to hear her say it out loud, to feel the depth of her devotion and care… it was almost more than he could bear.

Beside him, Rowan let out a delighted cry, his face lighting up with joy as he caught sight of his own mother. "Mama!" he exclaimed, rushing forward to throw his arms around the Queen in a tight, exuberant hug. "What are you doing here? Is everything okay back home?"

Queen Elara laughed, her arms wrapping around her son's waist as she held him close. "Everything is fine, my darling," she said, her voice filled with a warm, reassuring affection. "But I have some news that I think will make you very happy."

Rowan pulled back, his eyes wide and curious as he searched his mother's face for any hint of what she might be talking about. "What is it?" he asked, his voice filled with a mix of excitement and trepidation. "What's going on?"

The Queen's smile widened, her eyes shining with a fierce, unbridled joy. "I've come to discuss the completion of your bond with Luca," she said, her voice filled with a quiet, reverent awe. "And to start planning your wedding ceremony in the Seelie Court."

Luca felt his breath catch in his throat, his heart pounding with a sudden, overwhelming surge of emotion. A wedding ceremony. A chance to pledge his eternal love and devotion to Rowan in front of their families and friends, to make their bond official and unbreakable in the eyes of the gods and all who knew them.

It was a dream that he had never dared to voice, a hope that he had kept buried deep within his heart. But now, with the Queen's words ringing in his ears and the love of his life by his side… it felt like anything was possible, like the future he had always longed for was finally within his grasp.

"A wedding," he whispered, his voice rough and choked with emotion as he turned to Rowan, his hand finding his mate's and twining their fingers together. "I… I don't know what to say. It's everything I've ever wanted, everything I never even knew I could have."

Rowan's eyes were shining with unshed tears, his smile so wide and bright that it seemed to light up the entire room. "Me too," he said, his voice soft and filled with a quiet, unwavering conviction. "I want nothing more than to be yours forever, Luca. To pledge my heart and my soul to you in front of the whole world."

Luca felt a lump rising in his throat, his eyes stinging with sudden, unexpected tears. He had always known that Rowan loved him, that their bond was strong and true and unbreakable. But to hear him say those words, to feel the depth of his devotion and commitment… it was almost more than he could bear.

"I love you," he whispered, his voice rough and choked with emotion as he leaned in to press his forehead against Rowan's, breathing in the sweet, familiar scent of his mate. "I love you so much, Rowan. And I can't wait to marry you, to spend the rest of my life by your side."

Rowan's smile was soft and sweet, his eyes shining with a fierce, unwavering love. "I love you too, Luca," he murmured, his hand coming up to cup Luca's cheek in a tender, reverent caress. "More than anything in this world or the next."

For a long moment, they simply stood there, lost in each other's eyes and in the quiet, perfect intimacy of the moment. But then, with a small, contented sigh, Rowan turned back to his mother, his expression curious and eager.

"So, what do we need to do?" he asked, his voice filled with a quiet, thrumming excitement. "How do we make this official in the eyes of the Seelie Court?"

Queen Elara's smile was warm and knowing, her eyes crinkling at the corners with a hint of mischief. "Well, first things first," she said, her voice filled with a quiet, playful amusement. "We need to start planning the ceremony itself. The guest list, the decorations, the food…"

She trailed off, her expression growing thoughtful as she tapped a finger against her chin. "And of course, we'll need to invite all of your friends and loved ones from Willowbrook. They've been through so much with you, and I know they'll want to be there to celebrate your special day."

Luca felt his heart swell with gratitude and love, a warm, glowing feeling spreading through his chest at the thought of all the people who had stood by their side through the darkest of times. Benjamin and Adrian, Roman and Peter, Gareth and his father… they were more than just friends, more than just allies. They were family, bound by a love and a loyalty that could never be broken.

"That would be amazing," he said, his voice rough with emotion as he met the Queen's gaze with a look of quiet, sincere gratitude. "I can't imagine getting married without them there, without having the chance to share our joy and our love with the people who mean the most to us."

His mother nodded, her eyes shining with a fierce, proud light. "And of course, the entire Wolfheart pack will be there as well," she said, her voice filled with a quiet, unwavering conviction. "We wouldn't miss it for the world, Luca. Not when it means so much to you and Rowan."

Luca felt a lump rising in his throat, his eyes stinging with sudden, unshed tears. He had always known that his pack loved him, that they would stand by his side through thick and thin. But to hear his mother say it out loud, to know that they would be there to witness the most important moment of his life… it meant more than he could ever put into words.

"Thank you," he whispered, his voice rough and choked with emotion as he reached out to take his mother's hand, squeezing it tight in a gesture of silent, heartfelt gratitude. "Thank you for everything, Mom. For being here, for supporting us, for loving us… it means more than you could ever know."

His mother's smile was soft and tender, her eyes shining with a fierce, unwavering love. "Oh, Luca," she murmured, her voice filled with a quiet, aching affection. "You never have to thank me for that. You're my son, and I will always love you, no matter what."

Luca felt his heart swell with emotion, a warmth and a love so fierce and so overwhelming that it stole the breath from his lungs. He had always known that he was lucky, that he had been blessed with a family and a pack that loved him unconditionally, that would stand by his side through even the darkest of times.

But even as Luca savored the warmth and joy of the moment, he couldn't help but notice the flicker of concern that passed over Queen Elara's face, the way her smile faltered ever so slightly as she glanced at Rowan with a look of quiet, solemn intensity.

"What is it, Mother?" Rowan asked, his brow furrowing with worry as he caught the change in his mother's expression. "What's wrong?"

The Queen sighed, her eyes filled with a deep, aching sadness as she reached out to take her son's hand, squeezing it tight in a gesture of comfort and support. "It's Riordan," she said, her voice low and heavy with emotion. "He survived the battle, Rowan. And though he has been severely weakened, I fear that he will stop at nothing to regain his power and seek his revenge."

Luca felt a chill run down his spine at the mention of Riordan's name, a cold, creeping dread that made his stomach clench and his heart race with fear. He had seen firsthand the cruelty and malevolence of the dark mage, had watched as he sought to destroy everything and everyone that Luca held dear.

And the thought of facing him again, of putting Rowan and their loved ones in danger once more… it was almost more than he could bear.

But even as the fear and the doubt threatened to overwhelm him, Luca felt a flicker of something else stirring within him, a quiet, stubborn determination that refused to be extinguished. He was a warrior, a protector, a champion of the light. And he would not let Riordan or anyone else stand in the way of the happiness and the future that he and Rowan had fought so hard to build.

"We'll be ready for him," he said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, unwavering conviction. "We've beaten him before, and we'll beat him again. Together."

Rowan turned to him, his eyes shining with a fierce, unshakable love. "Luca's right," he said, his hand tightening around his mate's in a gesture of solidarity and support. "We're stronger than Riordan, stronger than anything he can throw at us. And we won't let him take away the life and the love that we've worked so hard to create."

Queen Elara's smile was soft and proud, her eyes filled with a quiet, aching affection. "I know you won't," she said, her voice filled with a deep, abiding faith in her son and his mate. "And you won't be facing him alone, either. The Seelie Court stands with you, Rowan. And we will do everything in our power to ensure that Riordan and his minions are brought to justice once and for all."

Luca's brow furrowed, a flicker of confusion and concern passing over his face. "His minions?" he asked, his voice low and filled with a quiet, simmering anger. "You mean the three dark magic users who caused so much pain and suffering? The ones who helped him to take Rowan in the first place?"

The Queen nodded, her expression grim and filled with a quiet, righteous fury. "Yes," she said, her voice low and filled with a deep, unwavering conviction. "But you needn't worry about them any longer, Luca. They have been imprisoned in a place from which they can never escape, their ability to harm others forever stripped away."

Luca felt a wave of relief wash over him, a weight lifting from his shoulders at the knowledge that at least some of the evil that had threatened their world had been vanquished for good. But even as he savored the small victory, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of unease, a sense that the battle was far from over.

Beside him, Rowan seemed to sense his disquiet, his hand tightening around Luca's in a gesture of comfort and support. "Hey," he said softly, his voice low and filled with a quiet, aching tenderness. "It's okay, Luca. We're going to get through this, I promise."

Luca felt a lump rising in his throat, his eyes stinging with sudden, unshed tears. He knew that Rowan was right, that they had faced worse odds and come out stronger on the other side. But the thought of losing his mate, of watching helplessly as Riordan tore away the happiness and the love that they had fought so hard to build… it was almost more than he could bear.

"I know," he whispered, his voice rough and choked with emotion as he leaned in to rest his forehead against Rowan's, breathing in the sweet, familiar scent of his mate. "I just… I can't lose you again, Rowan. I can't go through that, not now, not ever."

Rowan's smile was soft and tender, his hand coming up to cup Luca's cheek in a gesture of quiet, perfect intimacy. "You won't," he murmured, his voice filled with a deep, unwavering conviction. "I'm not going anywhere, Luca. I'm yours, now and forever. And nothing, not Riordan or anyone else, is ever going to change that."

Luca felt his heart swell with emotion, a fierce, unshakable love burning bright and strong within his chest. He knew that Rowan was right, that their bond was stronger than any darkness or evil that sought to tear them apart. And with his mate by his side, he knew that he could face anything, could overcome any obstacle and emerge victorious on the other side.

"I love you," he whispered, his voice rough and filled with a quiet, aching intensity. "I love you so much, Rowan. And I promise, I will always be there to protect you, to keep you safe from harm, no matter what."

Rowan's smile was soft and sweet, his eyes shining with a fierce, unwavering love. "I know you will, Luca," he murmured, his hand tightening around his mate's in a gesture of quiet, perfect trust. "And I will always be there to do the same for you. Because that's what love is, isn't it? Being there for each other, no matter what."

Luca felt a warmth and a joy so fierce and so overwhelming that it stole the breath from his lungs, a love that seemed to fill every corner of his heart and soul until there was no room for anything else. And in that moment, he knew that Rowan was right, that their love was a force that could overcome any darkness, any evil that sought to tear them apart.

"You're right," he said softly, his voice filled with a quiet, unwavering conviction. "And that's why we can't let Riordan or anyone else dim the brightness of our future together. We have to keep moving forward, keep fighting for the life and the love that we know we deserve."

Queen Elara smiled, her eyes shining with a fierce, proud light. "Spoken like a true king," she said, her voice filled with a quiet, knowing amusement. "And speaking of which… I believe we have a wedding to plan, do we not?"

Luca felt a grin tugging at his lips, a flicker of excitement and anticipation chasing away the lingering shadows of fear and doubt. "We do indeed," he said, his voice filled with a quiet, thrumming joy. "And I don't know about you, but I can't wait to get started."

Rowan laughed, the sound bright and joyful and filled with a fierce, unbridled happiness. "Me neither," he said, his hand tightening around Luca's in a gesture of quiet, perfect unity. "So, where do we begin?"