The Beginning of The End
Chapter 89

Maddox places me onto my feet the moment we enter our shared room, and heads straight for the adjoining door that leads to the bathroom, and moments later, i hear the shower come to life.

The world is ending, just as it once did before, but now it is a different world, and this time, i am trying to save it from destruction. I'm old enough to know the pain that comes with death. I like to think i am wise enough to know how to avoid it. But that doesn't mean that i will.

Anything can happen, i could fall into the wrong hands and be torn apart, i could be captured by Darax and hung for what i am.

There are so many, endless possibilities, and all of them end with me being murdered. I cannot think of one single future where i don't die for this world.

Then again, i never really was an optimist. I never saw the good in bad situations, i just saw them for what they were. Hopeless.

I never wanted this war, i just wanted to live quietly without having to fight for each and every moment of my life. I wanted to spend my life exploring what was left of the planet, and maybe make a few more friends as the years passed by. I was happy to not be alone anymore.

But having other people in your life comes with risks, you have more than one person to protect, and you cannot just run when things get hard. Not even if you come under attack. I have spent my whole life running, and now, when i finally get a chance to settle somewhere, with two men who seem to care about me, all i can think about is cutting my loses and running away.

Because that is what i am good at, i am good at staying hidden, out of sight. I used to be really good at it. Until i met Miya. She wasn't so good at hiding, or running, or even fighting. But she was a good friend to me. Even if i was Fae.

She didn't care who i was born as, or what my mother did, she only cared about me. She always said that i had potential to be more.

But i never believed her.

I may act strong when i need to, but the truth is, I'm a coward. I prefer to run when things get hard rather than face my problems.

I made a promise a long time ago that i would keep myself alive, no matter what. I usetritrien'' mysen futtattooerenser mattered. Not everrorhüterr.

But i was wrong. It was me who didn't matter, i had no one, i was no one.

And i hated it. I hated every single moment of wandering the world alone. When i met Miya, i changed who i was, just for her, i wanted her to believe in me. I wanted her to be certain that i would protect us both, and i did. For a while.

But nothing good ever lasts, and now, i have to choose the lives of thousands of strangers over the life of my best friend. She kept me going even when i wanted to give up. She was everything to me, and she always will be. Nothing will change my love for her.

If there is anything i can do to save her, I'll do it. But i cannot risk the lives of so many innocent people to do it.

I have to replace a way to save her without giving myself up. Otherwise, it will be the both of us who end up dead, and this world will crumble, just like ours did.

Maddox strolls out of the bathroom, looking at me as though i am a total stranger, "I'd love to know what is going on in that head of yours." he says, walking towards me.

I throw myself into his arms, "I cannot explain to you just how much it hurts me to leave her there, with him." i whisper, too afraid to speak any louder. "I need to be able to save her, but i can't do that by giving myself over to him."

Maddox holds me like i am fragile, as though i could break at any moment. And maybe i will.

Maybe i will shatter right in front of him.

"There are ways that we can get her back." he says, stroking his hand up and down my back.

My ears twitch, and my heart rate spikes, "What ways?" i ask, "You made it sound like there was no hope of getting her back alive."

He pulls back, and smiles, the kind of smile that used to frighten me, but right now, it fills me with something i haven't felt in a long time.

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It fills me with hope.

"Ryker doesn't want us to waste resources on a human, but i think we should." he says, softly stroking my cheek. "If she means this much to you, then she is worth a sacrifice." he frowns, "But you will not be coming with me, under any circumstances. I need you to trust that i will get her back for you."

Tears spring from my eyes, "You would do that for me?"

"I would scour this world for her and kill hundreds of Darax's men if it made you happy." he walks me towards the bed and sits me down. "But you cannot tell Ryker where i am going, he will try and stop me."

I lean into him, breathing in his woodsy scent, "But what if something happens to you?"

I wouldn't be able to live with myself if he was injured getting her back, or worse, if he died trying to save Miya.

Then i would lose the both of them.

And Ryker would never forgive me.

He'd never trust me again.

"nothing is going to happen to me, my little fae, nothing at all." he says, his tone soothing the fear in me. "I will be back before morning."

My eyes widen, "You are going now?"

"Yes." he says, nodding his head, "If i do not leave tonight, she may be dead come morning."

This is crazy, so much about this is crazy.

Take his hands in mine, looking into his dark eyes, "you promise you won't take any dangerous risks?"

He laughs, his entire body shaking as he does, "This entire mission is a risk, Elora." he says, "But i am doing this for you, and once i get Miya back, she will have her own guard, at least until the fighting is over. Then maybe you can concentrate on actually winning."

I nod, feeling a little strange, and suddenly so very tired, "Are you using the mating bond on me?"

He nods, lifting me into his arms and walking us both into the bathroom, "I had this shower placed in here just for you, and once i have washed you, you will sleep. You cannot worry that little head off if you are asleep."

I giggle, feeling delighted that he always thinks of me and what i need.

A shower, and bed.

It sounds like a plan.

A very good plan.

And whilst i sleep, he will save Miya.

i have all the faith in the world that he will succeed.

He's the king of the hounds, he can do anything he sets his mind to.

Come morning, I'll have both of them in my arms.

And Miya will be safe once more.