Chapter 158: Welcome Home

The moon was already climbing high, silvering the treetops and turning the world outside into a painting of quiet shadows. The night air carried the faint, clean scent of pine and hearthfire. Most people were already settling in for the night.

Sophia’s steps were light on the path as she made her way home. Her boots barely whispered against the pathway, though her thoughts were far louder. The torches along the walkway were lit to guide people. The flames burning bright in the night.

She had almost reached her house when she felt it.

That strange calm.

It rolled through her slowly, like a soft tide against her chest. Her shoulders eased, the knot of tension at the base of her neck unwound, and for a fleeting moment, it was as though the world had righted itself again. The pull of that familiar energy...steady, grounding, undeniably him...stirred through her like warm current under her skin.

Orion.

Her brows drew together almost instantly. She did not understand what was going on and why her body reacted this way. She noticed it earlier in the day, anytime Orion was near, it was like her body alerted him of his presence.

She did not understand it. They had only had sex and now her body was behaving like Orion had given her something while she wasn’t aware. She nodded, perhaps that was it. Perhaps that was the reason why she knew whenever he was near. He must have given her something, she thought to herself.

She hesitated by the edge of the pathway that leads to the clearing where her and Orion’s home was located.

She first took a look at his home to know if he was inside or outside. If he was inside then she was safe but if he was outside, then she was going to look for a way to escape him.

She could see the faint orange glow spilling from one of his windows, the shadow of movement behind the curtains. She gave a small sound of victory.

Thanking the goddess that Orion was in his home, she climbed up the porch to her home, quietly and stealthily so as not to alert him in case he was watching.

She had spent the entire day avoiding him like her life depended on it. Which, considering her heart’s unpredictable behavior, might not have been too far from the truth.

At Zena’s burial earlier that morning, she had gone or rather was on her way to pay her respect but she saw him from a distance and took a turn before he could notice her, choosing to go later.

She had also seen him at the gate with Ronan, Sam and some other people. She had wanted to go to the shrine even if Eldric hadn’t called on her but then she saw him and turned, walking away as fast as she could.

Later, when he held court, she had only meant to pass by. But curiosity had gotten the better of her. She’d lingered. And that was enough for Orion to take notice of her but she slipped away again.

Even at the library, she had seen him, she was just done with work...which was boring since the only thing she did was arrange Eldric’s office because he was not around,...she hid herself at a corner hoping that he wouldn’t see her.

She’d been ridiculous, she knew. But she just couldn’t face him. Not after everything that had happened.

That night had ruined her ability to think straight. Completely. Which was why she was certain that Orion had given her something if she was craving his attention so badly.

She pressed a hand to her chest. "We made it." She told herself even if her pulse beat rapidly.

The door creaked open, familiar warmth greeting her from the small fire she’d left burning earlier. She stepped inside and shut it quietly behind her. Her shoulders slumped as the safety of her little world settled around her.

Finally.

No more running. No more pretending she didn’t feel that heat crawl under her skin every time she thought of him. Just peace, and silence, and...

"Gods," she exhaled, rubbing her temples, "...I need sleep."

Her voice filled the small room, soft but shaky, like she didn’t quite believe her own words. She walked toward the shelf near the window and placed her satchel down, then untied her cloak, draping it across the chair by the hearth. The quiet hum of crickets outside seeped through the walls, blending with the slow crackle of wood burning.

The stillness was good. It was safe. Here, she didn’t have to worry about running into Orion. He was at his home and she was sure he was tired of searching for her.

Which she couldn’t understand. Why was he searching for her? Yes they had sex but that was it right? There was no need for him to search for her like she owed him money. He was the one who insisted on paying for everything they ate during the festival after all.

She moved to the window and checked again just to be sure that he was in his home and the silhouette moved again.

She smiled then gave herself a pat on the back commending herself for avoiding him successfully.

Sophia sighed in relief even though a part of her was disappointed. Why didn’t he try to search for her more? She asked herself and answered herself. She knew the answer to that of course even though she refused to acknowledge it.

Sophia moved back to the door to ensure it was locked properly. That was all she planned to do.

She turned the latch, pushed the door fully closed, and leaned back against it, exhaling.

Her shoulders finally relaxed.

She was in peace when a voice spoke up, that deep tenor she was getting obsessed with but even at that, it did nothing to lessen the shock.

"Welcome home." he said and Sophia jumped in shock as she shrieked loudly from fear, her heart in her throat.