The Beginning of The End
Chapter 28

I stood frozen as Ryker raked a sponge over my skin, his hands warm and soft, my body was begging him for more of what I had experienced last night whilst my mind begged for him to leave me alone, and honestly, my mind was losing.

Mere hours ago, I was a virgin, but now? Now I belonged to the Dragon shifter King, body and soul.

I also belonged to Maddox, but he was out hunting, and no matter how hard I tried to live in my ignorance, I know that he is hunting humans, and he will kill them without so much as a scrap of regret. And whilst I knew there is nothing that I can do to stop him, guilt shames me, it drowns me in its depths as I forget how to take breath. I couldn't protect the humans, no matter how much my heart yearned for it.

I was immortal now, I would outlive them all for generations to come, that was, if humanity still existed for there to be further generations.

"What are you thinking about my little Fae?" Ryker asks, smoothing out my tense scowl with a soft kiss between my brows.

I took a deep breath, no point in lying. "How many more humans are you going to kill? The world is destroyed, isn't that enough?” My voice was small, unsure. It mirrored my mind perfectly.

I didn't want to risk his anger, but I knew that lying to him would do exactly what I wished to avoid, but the truth was hard to voice. We may have spent the night exploring each other's bodies, but we were not equals, not by a long shot.

I was still his prisoner.

He watches me, seemingly utterly calm, but when I look into his eyes, I see a fire starting, one that I am afraid I will not be able to put out.

"Why would you ask such a thing?" He asks, voice straining as he fights his beast for control.

He's angry, and I can't blame him.

I had ruined the brittle peace we had formed with one question, but I couldn't have remained silent any longer.

I look up at his stormy eyes through my lashes, "I'm sorry... I just, I don't understand why you hate them all so much."

He peals his body away from mind and drops the sponge, his voice sharp and on edge. "I have my reasons, as does Maddox. You will learn them when you gain our trust."

He glances at the metal bracelet that prevents me from using my powers, and I do too, we both know that if he takes it off, I will try to escape. He can't trust me, and I can't trust him.

If only he could prove to me that he wasn't just a heartless monster, maybe then I wouldn't want to run because I would be safe with him. But right now, I didn't feel safe. I felt alone in a war that I didn't understand.

"Forget I said anything." I take his hand, even as he is reluctant to give it. "We were having such a nice morning; I don't want to ruin it."

And I certainly didn't want him to chew up and spit me out, which he is close to, the Fire of his temper would be the death of me, I was sure of it.

But he was holding it back so that he didn't hurt me, and I could appreciate that to some extent, and as much as I didn't want to be anywhere near him, the bond was making me crazy with need.

Ryker watches me, searching for deceit in my eyes, though he would replace none. "You're right, we shouldn't ruin the day for one misheard sentence." He grabs a towel and wraps it around my shivering body, "Let's get you dressed and take you down to breakfast."

I nod, forcing a smile, even as my mind scrambles to make an excuse as to why I can't

go to breakfast with him. I am too tired? I am not hungry?

Just then my stomach betrays me by rumbling so loud I was certain that Maddox heard it out in the woods.

I blush a deep crimson and hide my face behind my hair, Ryker gently picking me up off my feet as he chuckles. It was the most amazing sound, and I was disappointed when it stopped.

"We definitely need to get you down to breakfast, your stomach will need satisfying before it erupts again." He laughs again and I replace myself giggling a little, unable to help myself.

His eyes widen, "That is the most amazing thing I have ever heard."

My blush deepens, "I don't laugh often, I forget what I sound like."

"You should laugh more, a young thing like you should not be burdened with the problems of the world." He barely realises that I am frowning, tears in my eyes as he sits me down on the bed, wrapped only in a towel. "I will get you something to wear."

How could I not be burdened with the world's problems? I have seen firsthand the suffering Ryker and Maddox have caused, including the countless lifeless bodies they leave behind. They don't care about the lives of others, only themselves.

They are fighting and killing innocent people, children who have done nothing wrong to anyone in their entire short lives. I cannot let myself get too close, not when I have

to leave them, I cannot learn to love a monster.

And that is what they are, they are monsters.

Heartless and bloodthirsty.