Chapter 18
Recently, the fighting had finally died down, giving the rescue team a rare moment of peace. Since Adrian lef, Stella’s mood had visibly improved, and even Lucas seemed happier because of t
Watching her train. Lucas fell like he was sinking in the bottom of an ocean. Somewhere along the way, his feelings for her had changed. At first, he’d only wanted to look out for her because she was Mike’s sister. But later, everything became about his own selfish destres||
Im taking some leave starting tomorrow. Since you can’t go miss yet, want inget out of here for a while? One day, he knocked on her door with this suggestion
Where to?” the soked.]]
Lucas seemed to want to keep it a mystery, chucking softly. “You coming? Yallad out when we get there ||
When the plane touched down in Northern Europe, Stella still felt like it wasn’t quite seal ||
They took a car to the aurors town where Lucas had already arranged everything.||
Stella sat wrapped in a thick blanket in front of the cabin, looking up at the magnificent aurors dancing across the sky. This was scenery she’d never dared dream of weing
Lucas walked over with hot resa gently placing it in her bands. “Cold?“]]
she shook her head, her breath forming white paid in the frigid air. “It’s beautiful here.”
He chucked softly, sitting down beside her, but his gare never left her face. “Yeah. It really b
After a moment, Stella turned to look at him and noticed tiny mowflakes clinging to his eyelashes, shimmering in the aurora’s glow. “Why did you suddenly bring me Hiero
Lucas was quiet for a while, his gaze settling on the distant snow–capped mountaba, “Because you mentioned regrelling it once. You said seeing the aurora was something you’d always wanted to do, but he never accompany you.“
Stells frore. She had said that. It was long ago, just a casual wish she’d mentioned while chatting with Adrian. Hut Adrian had only given her a dismissive “mm–hmm” an never brought it up again.]]
Later, he’d accompanied Fage to see the aurora. How ridiculous. And now Lucas had remembered, had even brought her here []
Her heart suddenly started racing uncontrollably. Their shoulders were pressed together, and she was terrified Lucas might hear it.
The next morning, be packed up their luggage and took her to a nearby ski resort. Since Stella’s leg injury hadn’t fully healed, she could only sit in the cable car and watch Lucas speeding down the depes
He was an excellent skier, graceful and athletic, like a bird soaring free–made stella’s heart flutter. She once mentioned wanting to ski to Adrian too, but he’d never
taken it to heart.
Later, when he took Paige sking and broke his leg trying to save her, Stella had been the one by his bedside day and night, helping him recover without any lasting damage
The scenery here was breathtaking–even sitting in the cable car wasnt boring. She’d once focused at her attention on Adrian alone, but now that she’d left him, dhe decovered she could see the whiple world||
When the gur of the cable car, Lucas was already waiting at the bottom with two cups of hot coffee, the pulled off his gloves and handed her one. “Here, warm yourself up.”
Stella took a sip, thur hat liquid sliding down her throat, warming her entire body
“Do you ski fen?” She suddenly asked ||
Hearing the question, Lucas armed to remember something, his eyes growing nostalgie. “Yeah, used to go all the time with your brother.”
When he mentioned her brother. Stella’s expression dissed. Lucas noticed her mood shut and sanded, gently ruffling her hair. “Your brother would be so proud seeng how strong you’ve become
Stellas eyes grew wat as she looked down with a small sundle.
Late that night. Lucas brought Sted to an open snowfleld. The aurora had faded, but the stars st blazed brillantly overhead.
Try lying down”
Stella did as he suggard, pu
puzzled, shaking
Lucas lay down beside her, pointing at the sky. That’s Orion–pur brother’s favucite constellation. |
svella followed his finger, starlight reflecting in her eyes
“Stella” Lucas suddenly called her name sy
“Yeal?” Hearing his voice, Stella felt a wave of inexplicable nervousness and confusion]
He turned to face her, kneeling on one knee in the snow, gazing at her intently. “Stella, I think you might have wirendy figured out how I feel. I know you just get out of a really had relationship, and my feelings might seem too sudden, but I can’t stand watching you get hurt anymace. If it’s possible, could you give me a chance to try loving mer
Stella was stunned. The mowy field was sent except for the sound of their heartbeats
Lucas’s gaze was too serious too serious for her to look away!]
She thought about all the moments they’d shared recently. His site carrying her through the crossfire: bis unwering presence by her hospital bed: the tendern in his eyes when he brought her to see the aurora.
Maybe her heart had already known the answer |
she heard herself say. “Okay let’s try…]
Lucas’s pupils dilated slightly, as if he hadn’t expected her in agree. [
The next second, he pulled her into his artus with such force it nearly took her breath away. ||
A passionate kis covered her lips as Lucas kissed her slowly and deliberately, as if she were the most precious treasure in the world.
stella wrapped her ang around his strong shoulders, kissing him back with all the passion she could muster. A crystal fear rolled down her cheek
I won’t let you regret this.” he whispered in her ear, his voice husky
Stela leaned against his shoulder, gently closing her eyes]]
Mache i really was time to start a new 18+.]]
