My phone buzzing loudly against the wooden table woke me from my deep slumber. I went to reach for it, but Theo stretched over me and grabbed it first, smiling at me as he kissed my cheek and handed it to me.

"Jerk," I said sleepily and playfully before opening the text.

Going to make four arrowheads and a spear, just enough to do so.

My stomach churned as I once again remembered the task at hand: killing the wyvern. It meant that one or all of us had to be close enough to kill it. Of course, it would take time for these weapons to shape up and harden enough to use. Hopefully in the meantime, the wyvern would not kill anyone else.

"What was so important that whoever it was woke us up?" Theo asked, settling his chest on top of me and wrapping his arm around my waist. "It was Chris, and he was letting me know what they decided to create from the gold dust." "Hmm," Theo mumbled, sounding not interested at all.

"Probably a good thing anyway, I need to go to work in two hours." I said, but was unable to get up from the bed with Theo laying on me. "Were you still going to come with me?" He asked. "Of course. I get off at three, we can go after that."

Theo nodded, then leaned down, and pressed a soft kiss to my lips, making my heart leap. His hand slid down my ribcage and settled on my hip. As the kiss deepened, I thought of nothing else but his skin on mine, but allowed reality to splash mental cold water over me.

"I should shower," I said, breaking the kiss. Theo lifted his head and looked down at me. "Can I ask you something?" He asked.

"Anything."

"Why is it that everytime we get the least bit intimate, you back out? Are you scared?" I felt color heat up my cheeks, and inhaled slowly. "It's just...sex is something that my parents always said should be saved for love. I know that that might not mean a lot, but, with them gone...I just want to uphold their wishes for me even if they're not here. And, I'm just not sure if I'm ready."

"I guess I can understand that." He said, sitting up. "Theo, I know I've said a lot in the last couple days that you didn't like, what I just said being another, but I'm not trying to guilt you into anything. I've survived a long time by myself, as have you, and I know that what we feel for each other goes deep, but if it doesn't go deep enough, there's no point in staying together."

"Cass...I'm not the sappy type, but what we've got right now is something I won't just let go of because I feel unsure. When I know where I want to go with it, I will tell you. I don't give up on what I want, even if I lose in the long run." He said, gently pinching my chin before standing and pulling his shirt on.

Somehow, his words did not give me reassurance, but I let it go.

~Theo POV~

"See you later!" Cassia said as she kissed my cheek and carefully got out of the truck.

I was too wrapped up in my own head to acknowledge what she'd said, but she was unfazed and went straight in to the hospital without looking back.

It had been something to admit to her this morning that I wasn't going to let her go. She didn't realize that after all this time, my attachment to her was too much to sever. After my nights with her, and weeks of watching every move she made just to see her, protect her, I knew that what I felt went deeper than I cared to admit, even to myself.

But now, it was time to take care of business with the wyvern. I had to guard her, and make sure that when this was said and done, we could move on. Of course, that was assuming that she made it through my explanation tonight.

Tonight, I would tell her about Tara.

I needed to go and pick up the white lilies that I always took to the river, and I knew that it would make Cassia ask questions. If we made it through this, I would tell her after we killed the wyvern how I truly felt.

As terrified and somewhat angered as it made me feel, I had to admit, just to myself for now, that I was indeed in love with Cassia. Liam's stupid ass had gotten it out of me the night before when we'd been arguing, and if he told her before I got the chance...

I'd make his death creative.

Reminding myself to stay on track, I went back to Cassia's house. I picked up her laptop and signed in, immediately going to the internet to look at my email. I was expecting a letter telling me whether or not I had gotten in with a computer software company.

I had not told Cass yet, but I had been job searching, and with this job, I could work from home and not deal with a lot of people, which we both knew would be a good thing. People irritated me.

Finding the email I had been searching for, I inhaled and opened it, relief flooding me when I saw that I had been accepted. I wouldn't start for three weeks, but that was fine, it would be enough time to take care of the wyvern and see where things went with Cassia.

I signed out, and had the cursor on the shut down button when a notification popped up. I clicked on it, seeing that the first word said 'killer'.

Anger pulsed through me when I saw that Damian was on the move again, but at least it was south and not west. I hoped he stumbled into hell while he was on that track.

Cassia would be relieved to know that. His activity recently had been low, probably hiding. If he knew what was good for him, he'd stay away. He wasn't aware that she had a bodyguard now, and one that cared for her deeper than even he cared to let himself feel.

Deleting the notification, I shut down the computer and closed it.

It took what felt like forever, but finally, three rolled around and I went to pick up Cassia from work. In the backseat was a bouquet of lilies, and the answer to my life with or without her. As if the usual grief wasn't enough.

I found her sitting inside the building, in a chair by the desk, her smile so bright as she talked with Melissa. She glanced toward the entrance, seeing my truck, and the light in her eyes brightened. My heart thumped loudly, reminding me that the feeling I had been trying to crush was still very much there. I gave her a small smile back and she waved at Melissa, beginning to walk outside.

"Hey Theo," she said, climbing inside. I was glad to see that she was moving a bit easier despite her stitches. "Hey babe," I said, kissing her quickly, "you seem extra cheerful."

I heard her heart stutter, and wondered why, but she spoke before I could ask. "I don't know, just been in a good mood today."

Well, I hope that my revelation didn't ruin it, because I did like that smile on her face. "Good," I said, and threaded my fingers through hers.

I put the truck in drive and pressed the accelerator. "Where are we going?" She asked as I turned the opposite way of home. "Somewhere...special." I muttered, knowing that it wasn't special in the least.

This place could break my heart a second time, and again, it would be my fault.

**The next chapter could make or break Theo and Cassia's relationship...what do you think will happen? Thanks for reading! Have a good day!**