Chapter 378: Thank You For Loving Me

"What other way?" Lilith challenged. "We’ve exhausted every option. This is it. The transformation works or I die. There’s no plan C."

Sebastian wanted to tell her she was wrong. Wanted to tell her that Victoria was preparing backup plans and Elena had knowledge they hadn’t tapped yet and there were always more options.

But he couldn’t.

Because Lilith deserved honesty. Especially tonight.

"If the transformation doesn’t work," Sebastian said slowly, "and you....if the worst happens, I need you to know something."

"What?" Lilith asked.

"That loving you was worth it," Sebastian said. "Even if it ends tomorrow. Even if we only get these few months together. It was worth it. You were worth it."

Lilith’s eyes filled with tears. "Sebastian...."

"Let me finish," Sebastian said. "You came into our lives and turned everything upside down. You challenged us. Made us better. Made me want to be better. And even knowing how this might end, I wouldn’t change a single thing about how we got here."

A tear slipped down Lilith’s cheek. "You say that now. But if I die tomorrow...."

"Then I’ll grieve," Sebastian said. "I’ll rage and break things and probably destroy half the estate in the process. But I still won’t regret loving you. Because Lilith...you’re the best thing that ever happened to me. To all of us. And no amount of pain could make that not true."

Lilith stood abruptly and crossed to him. Sebastian pushed his chair back and she immediately climbed into his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck and burying her face against his shoulder.

Sebastian held her tight and felt her crying silently against him.

"I don’t want to die," Lilith whispered.

"I know," Sebastian said. "And you’re not going to. You’re strong, Lilith. Stronger than you realize. You’re going to attempt the transformation and you’re going to succeed and then we’re going to have the life together that we deserve."

"Promise?" Lilith asked, and her voice was small.

"I promise to fight for that with everything I have," Sebastian said. "I can’t promise the transformation will work. But I can promise that I will do absolutely anything to keep you alive. Anything, Lilith. There are no lines I won’t cross. No prices I won’t pay. If there’s a way to save you, I will find it."

Lilith pulled back to look at him. Her eyes were red and her face was wet with tears but she was smiling slightly.

"That’s very intense," she said.

"I’m an intense person," Sebastian said.

"I know," Lilith said. "It’s one of the things I love about you."

Sebastian felt warmth spread through his chest despite the circumstances. "You love me?"

"Obviously," Lilith said. "I thought I made that clear when I forgave you for the forced marking and chose to stay despite knowing it might kill me."

"Say it anyway," Sebastian said. "I want to hear it."

Lilith cupped his face in her hands. "I love you, Sebastian. I love how you care for people even when you pretend not to. I love how you’re gentle with me even when Rhen wants to be possessive. I love how you try so hard to be good even when the world makes it difficult. I love you."

Sebastian kissed her.

Not desperate or urgent. Just soft and sweet and full of everything he couldn’t put into words.

When they pulled apart, they were both crying.

"Stay with me tonight," Lilith said. "I don’t want to be alone."

"You’re never alone," Sebastian said. "But yes. I’ll stay."

They moved to the bed and lay down together. Sebastian held Lilith close and felt her slowly relax against him.

"Tell me a story," Lilith said quietly. "Something happy. Something that has nothing to do with curses or death or impossible choices."

Sebastian thought for a moment. "When we were kids, me and Nicholas and Lucian we used to sneak out of the estate at night and run through the woods in wolf form. Our father hated it. Said it was dangerous and undisciplined. But we didn’t care. We just wanted to be free for a little while."

"What did you do?" Lilith asked.

"Ran," Sebastian said. "Hunted. Got into trouble. One time Lucian decided to chase a bear and nearly got himself killed. Nicholas had to command him to back down. Another time we found a lake and spent hours swimming under the moon. It was...." He paused. "It was perfect. Just the three of us. No responsibilities. No curse. Just brothers being young and stupid and alive."

"That sounds beautiful," Lilith said.

"It was," Sebastian agreed. "And when this is over....when you survive the transformation and we’re all safe, I want to take you there. To the lake. Show you that freedom."

"I’d like that," Lilith said.

They fell into comfortable silence.

Sebastian listened to Lilith breathe. Felt her heartbeat steady against his chest. Felt the bond between them pulsing with warmth and love and desperate hope.

"Sebastian?" Lilith said after a while.

"Yeah?"

"Thank you," Lilith said. "For everything. For caring about me even when it was complicated. For loving me"

"You don’t have to thank me for that," Sebastian said. "Loving you is the easiest thing I’ve ever done."

Lilith was quiet for a long moment. Then she whispered, "I’m going to fight tomorrow. I’m going to try as hard as I can to survive. For you. For all three of you. For us."

"I know you will," Sebastian said.

"And if I fail...."

"You won’t," Sebastian said firmly.

"But if I do," Lilith continued, "don’t blame yourself. Don’t let guilt destroy you. Because Sebastian....this was my choice. Loving you was my choice. Staying despite the curse was my choice. Whatever happens tomorrow is not your fault."

Sebastian held her tighter. "I love you."

"I love you too," Lilith said.

Sebastian stayed in her room for a while with her in his arms, holding her tightly as if memorizing the way she feels in his arms.

And prayed to whatever gods were listening that tomorrow would not be the day he lost her.