Chapter 46 - Daryl

The fire was damn near out, burning down to embers, casting just enough glow to paint Ella's face in shadow. Ian was already asleep, curled tight in his blanket with one hand clutching the strap of his pack like someone might come take it. Ruby was tied to Ella's chest, soft little breaths puffing against her collarbone, warm and safe in the only place she's ever known.

Ella hadn't moved in a while. She sat cross-legged beside the fire, arms wrapped around her knees, eyes locked on something out past the trees. Not really seeing it. Just... somewhere else.

She was quiet. Had been since we left the Kingdom. No tears. No yelling. Just that still, seething kind of silence that settled in her bones when she was trying not to fall apart. I'd seen it before.

I knew what it meant.

She was done waiting.

I shifted my weight against the log, crossbow across my lap, eyes flicking between the trees and the woman I married.

"You ain't sleepin'," I said quietly.

Ella didn't look at me. "Didn't feel like dreaming of cowards tonight."

I didn't say anything right away. Just let the words settle.

She wasn't wrong.

"You thinkin' about Hilltop?" I asked.

"Thinking about everything," she murmured. "About what we're walking into. About what we're leaving behind. About what I'll have to become if no one else steps up."

I watched the way her jaw flexed. The way her hands curled into fists against her legs. She wasn't afraid. She was angry. And determined.

And god, she was beautiful like this. Not in the soft kind of way, not tonight. No—this was sharp-edged beauty. Fury lit by love. All that fire burning not for vengeance, but for the people sleeping beside her.

"For what it's worth," I said, "you're already there."

She glanced at me, eyes catching the firelight. "Where?"

"Bein' the one who steps up."

Her eyes softened a little, just for a second. "I know."

I kept my eyes on the trees. Kept my body still. But inside, I was bracing.

She wasn't just going to fight.

She was going to lead.

~

It took us two days to get there. Two days of dirt roads and silence, of trees whispering overhead and nothing but the crunch of boots and the occasional question from Ian. Ella kept Ruby strapped to her chest the whole time, only taking her off when we stopped to rest, to eat, to sleep in makeshift camps beneath stars that didn't give a damn about us.

But we kept moving.

And when we finally crested the last hill, saw the walls of Hilltop rising out of the haze, I saw Ella's shoulders drop for the first time in days.

Not all the way. But enough.

Smoke curled from the chimneys inside. Voices carried on the wind—shouts, clangs, orders being barked. It wasn't quiet. It wasn't still.

It was preparing.

They were fighting.

The gates opened as we approached, guards ready but not hostile. A young guy I didn't know stepped forward to meet us, wide-eyed when he saw us.

Ella was the one who spoke. "We're here to help. Get Maggie, tell her Ella and Daryl Dixon just arrived."

He took one look at her—Ruby asleep against her chest, Ian holding her hand—and didn't ask another question. Just nodded and ran.

Jesus was the first to spot us. He came jogging across the yard with that quick grace of his, already grinning.

"Well damn," he said, eyes crinkling at the corners. "Wasn't expecting you three to be back so soon."

"We tried with Ezekiel," Ella said, voice low but solid. "He's a coward."

Before Jesus could answer, Maggie's voice rang out.

"Daryl? Ella?"

I turned, and she was already moving—mud on her boots, sleeves rolled up, a surprised smile on her face. Sasha was right behind her, and Enid trailed close with a sword strapped awkwardly to her back.

Maggie didn't hesitate. She didn't question. She just threw her arms around me like she might never let go.

And for a second, I didn't know what to do. Just stood there stiff, arms halfway up—then wrapped them around her awkwardly, patting her back with one hand.

When Maggie pulled back, her eyes were wet. "I didn't know if I'd see you until things were done."

"We're here to fight. The Kingdom won't, but we will." I looked at my wife and kids, my heart stuttering at how beautiful they were. "We have to."

Maggie turned to Ella, and her face softened all over again. She didn't say a word—just stepped forward and hugged her too, careful not to jostle Ruby.

Ella's breath hitched, and I watched her eyes crinkle from how tight she shut them.

Maggie pulled back from Ella slow, like she didn't want to let go. Her eyes were red-rimmed but steady. Strong. She reached out and brushed her fingers gently along Ruby's back where she slept, still strapped tight to Ella's chest.

"She's got bigger again," Maggie whispered.

Ella gave the smallest nod. "I know." She cracked a small, mischievous smile that I loved. "Her Daddy keeps calling her a traitor for it."

And I watched the way her voice cracked on that. Just a little. Like the weight of everything she'd carried these past few days was finally starting to ease off her shoulders, even if just an inch.

Sasha stepped up next, hugged Ella without hesitation. Then she turned to me, gave a quick, firm nod. "Glad you're here."

I just returned it. Didn't need to say anything. She understood.

Jesus was already waving over someone—calling out orders, making space for us. Within minutes, a man brought fresh water and bread. Someone else came to take our packs. Maggie motioned for us to follow her across the yard.

The place was buzzing. There was a forge now—bigger than before, throwing sparks into the air as two people hammered scrap down into blades. Every sound was metal on metal, wood on wood. The rhythm of a place that was readying. Not hiding.

It was a hell of a thing to walk into after two days of silence.

Ian stuck close to my side, his eyes wide but alert. He didn't ask questions. He just watched, absorbing everything like a sponge. I reached down and ruffled his hair, just to let him know I saw him.

Ella walked ahead with Maggie, her back straight, head held high.

She looked like someone who'd been told no too many times and finally found the place where the answer was yes.

And damn if I didn't want to grab her, right then and there, and kiss her stupid.

But I didn't.

I just followed, like I always did.

Because her fire had always lit the way.

~

Maggie got us settled into one of the old trailers near the back fence, tucked in with the others like mismatched tin cans on a shelf. It wasn't much—just one rectangular room, wood floors scuffed to hell, one bed and a beat-up twin mattress in the corner for Ian.

But it had four walls. A roof. A door that locked. And for the first time in a long damn while, it felt like ours.

Soon as we got the bags dropped and the kids inside, Maggie and Sasha showed up like a damn tactical team. Barely knocked before barging in, scooping up Ian and Ruby like they were on some kind of rescue mission.

Ella barely got out a protest before Sasha tossed a diaper bag over her shoulder and winked at us.

"You two need rest," Maggie said, already halfway out the door with Ian bouncing excitedly in her arms. "And I'm not taking no for an answer."

Before we could argue, the door slammed shut behind them.

Ella blinked at it.

Then she giggled.

"Guess we're just chopped liver now," she muttered, spinning in a slow circle and taking in the trailer. "I liked the Kingdom, but it wasn't home. This place feels better."

"Yeah," I grunted, already kicking off my boots. "Smells like dirt and work. Suits us better."

She flopped onto the bed with a sigh, stretching out like a cat in the sun, arms over her head, shirt rising just enough to make my mouth go dry.

That little contented smile spread across her face, soft and real.

I couldn't help it—I crawled onto the bed beside her, dragging her into my arms like she belonged there. Which she did.

Ella nuzzled into my neck, warm breath brushing against my skin. Her nose skimmed my collarbone, lips trailing tiny kisses.

"You know," she whispered, dragging the words out like honey. "We don't have any kids right now. You know what that means?"

My pulse jumped.

I tilted my head to look at her, one brow raised. "You thinkin' what I'm thinkin'?"

She bit her lip and nodded, eyes all slow and sultry, her fingers sliding along my chest, curling in my shirt like she was about to pull me under and ruin me—in the best possible way.

I licked my lips, leaned in, already feeling that tight, coiled heat start to build in my gut. My hand slid to her hip, and I swore I could already feel her skin burning through the fabric—

Then she rolled onto her side, curled up with her knees tucked to her chest, and let out the deepest, most satisfied sigh I'd ever heard.

"We can finally take a nap."

I froze mid-motion. Blinked. Sat back slowly like someone had just shot me through the chest with a rubber arrow.

"You're kiddin' me," I muttered, flopping back onto the mattress with a groan. "You're a fuckin' tease, woman."

Ella snorted—snorted—and buried her face in the pillow, full-body giggling like she'd just pulled off the greatest heist of her life.

"Don't I know it," she hummed.

I turned my head to glare at her, but it didn't have much bite. Not when she was smiling like that. Not when she was warm and happy and finally safe enough to laugh again.

Still, I groaned. "I thought you were about to rock my whole world."

She peeked up at me, eyes wide and fake-innocent. "Babe, my whole body is sore. We just spent two days on the road, walking with our kids."

"That don't sound like a no to me," I muttered, leaning closer.

She flicked her fingers against my chest. "It's a later. Maybe."

"You're cruel."

She smiled. "And yet, you still married me."

I rolled onto my back with a dramatic sigh, one arm slung over my eyes.

"You're lucky I love you," I said.

"Mmhm," she mumbled, already drifting off. "And don't you forget it."

And I didn't.

Not for a second.

Not when she was curled up beside me, breathing even and soft.

Not when the world outside was still broken.

Not when this—this stupid, sweet, teasing moment—was the first piece of peace we'd had in months.

I stayed awake a little longer, just listening to her breathe.

And smiling like a damn fool the whole time.

~

Night fell quiet.

Ian was still with Maggie, Ruby tucked in somewhere warm, and for the first time in a long damn while, the trailer was still. No crying. No diapers needing changed. Nothing but silence.

Just Ella and me.

She was sitting cross-legged on the bed in one of my old shirts, sleeves rolled to her elbows, hair pulled up messily like she didn't even try. Moonlight spilled in through the cracked window, painting silver down her bare legs.

I was pretending not to stare.

She caught me anyway.

"You've been watching me all night, Dixon."

I shrugged, leaning back against the wall, feet still on the floor. "Hard not to. You're sittin' there lookin' like a dream and wearin' my shirt. Kinda rude, if you ask me."

She tilted her head, that same little smirk twitching at the corners of her mouth. "You still mad I took that nap earlier?"

"Didn't say mad. Just... mildly betrayed."

Ella laughed—low and warm—and crawled toward me on the mattress, slow like she knew exactly what she was doing.

"Good thing I'm making it up to you," she murmured.

I raised a brow. "That right?"

She climbed right into my lap, straddling my thighs like she'd done it a thousand times—and hell, she had—but it never stopped feeling like the first time.

Her hands slid around my neck, fingers curling in my hair, her mouth just shy of mine.

"Don't get used to it," she whispered, brushing her lips against mine. "It's still technically a 'maybe.'"

I growled under my breath. "You're evil."

She grinned. "You love it."

And then she kissed me.

Slow. Deep. Hot enough to melt the last of my goddamn resolve.

I grabbed her hips, dragged her closer, felt her gasp against my mouth when I ground up into her, already hard and desperate and done pretending I wasn't.

"You know I thought about this all afternoon?" I muttered against her skin. "While you were nappin' like some innocent little lamb?"

She laughed again, head tipping back. "And here I thought you were being sweet."

"I was bein' sweet. Sweet and painfully hard."

Ella rolled her hips, smug and dangerous. "Poor baby."

"You ain't seen poor yet," I muttered, flipping her onto her back.

She gasped, breath hitching, legs parting without hesitation as I settled between them.

"You sure about this?" I asked, my voice lower now, rough with the kind of edge that only came out when I was too far gone.

She blinked up at me, eyes full of heat and heart, and nodded.

Her hair spread out over the pillow like a halo, lips kiss-bitten and parted just enough to let out the softest damn sound I'd ever heard. My shirt was bunched up around her ribs, her bare legs wrapped tight around my waist, heels pressing into the backs of my thighs like she couldn't get me close enough.

I was still fully clothed from the waist down, but not for long.

"You want slow?" I asked, voice low and frayed. "Or you want real?"

She looked up at me, eyes dark with want, cheeks flushed, chest rising fast beneath my shirt.

"I want you," she whispered. "However I can have you."

Fuck.

That did it.

I kissed her—deep, messy, teeth dragging her bottom lip until she gasped—and shoved my hand between us to tug her panties down her thighs. She lifted her hips without hesitation, letting me peel them off and toss them somewhere I'd definitely forget about later.

Her skin was warm, soft, already wet for me. I ran two fingers through her slick folds, slow and teasing, just to feel her shiver.

"You been thinkin' about this since earlier?" I asked, lips brushing her jaw.

"Mmhmm," she moaned. "Thought about teasing you all day, getting you all worked up, ready to pin me to the bed..."

"You really are evil," I growled, sliding one finger into her. She arched immediately, mouth falling open. "Drippin' for me like this, and you still made me wait."

She whined when I added a second finger, curling them just right. Her hips jerked, thighs trembling.

"Daryl—"

"Tell me what you want," I rasped against her throat. "Say it."

"I want your mouth," she gasped. "Want you to make me come with it."

"Yeah?" I kissed down her neck, nipped her collarbone, dragged my mouth lower until I was kneeling between her thighs. "That what you think's gonna happen?"

She propped herself up on her elbows, flushed and glaring. "I know it is."

I grinned like the devil himself. "Good."

Then I lowered my mouth to her.

She cried out—high and desperate—the second my tongue met her clit. I sucked it into my mouth, slow and deliberate, while two fingers kept moving inside her, curling against that spot I knew would have her falling apart in seconds.

"God, Daryl—"

Her hips bucked, hands flying to my hair, fingers tightening like she thought I might stop.

I didn't.

I flicked my tongue over and over, lips dragging across her slick skin, drinking down every sound she gave me like it was gospel.

"Gonna come," she gasped. "Daryl, I—oh—fuck—"

Her whole body snapped tight, thighs clamping around my head, hips stuttering as she shattered on my tongue. I didn't stop. Kept my mouth on her until she was begging, trembling, yanking my hair like it might help her come down.

When I finally pulled back, her chest was heaving, face flushed and glowing.

"Jesus," she whispered. "You're so smug right now."

I wiped my mouth on the back of my hand, climbing up her body to kiss her again. She tasted herself on my lips and moaned into it.

"Still want that nap?" I murmured.

"Only if you fuck me to sleep," she whispered back.

My control snapped clean in half.

I fumbled with my belt, shoving my jeans down just enough to free myself, then reached between us to line up.

I didn't ease in. I sank into her, slow but deep, inch by inch until she gasped and clawed at my back.

"Fuck," I breathed, forehead pressed to hers. "You feel so good."

She was warm. Tight. Home.

Her legs locked around my hips, pulling me deeper. "Don't hold back. I want everything."

And she got everything.

Every thrust was hard, deliberate. Every drag of my cock pulled another moan from her lips. I kissed her through all of it—her mouth, her cheek, her throat—every inch of her I could reach while I moved inside her like she was the only thing that ever made sense.

She clung to me, nails digging into my back, hips meeting mine with a hunger I knew all too well.

"Harder," she panted. "Please—Daryl—fuck—"

I grabbed her thigh and hit that angle, just right, and she choked on a sob.

"There?" I grunted.

"Yes—right there—don't stop—"

Her walls clenched around me, pulsing tight as she came again—loud, needy, beautiful—and I followed fast, groaning deep in her ear as I emptied into her, hips stuttering, body shaking with it.

I didn't pull away.

Just collapsed on top of her, still buried deep, both of us slick with sweat and panting like we'd just survived a war.

She kissed the side of my face, breathless.

"Still think I'm evil?" she murmured.

"Cruel," I rasped, brushing her hair back. "Wicked. Devious. Hot as fuck."

She laughed, warm and soft beneath me. "You're not so bad yourself, Dixon."

I grinned into her neck.

"Gonna hold you to that when you can't walk tomorrow."

"Gonna hold you to round two."

God help me—I loved this woman.