Page 161 of Rising Out of the Darkness
“I love him because he loves every part of me, broken and all.”
Declan’s gaze drifted towards me, and the bond tugged inside my chest. “I love you too.”
“When you love someone deeply, nothing can stand in your way. Sometimes, it’s worth the risk, right, Father?”
His throat bobbed up and down.
“I’m sure that the Guardians of the Light aren’t supposed to fall in love with those they’re meant to protect, right?”
Declan’s brows furrowed. “Who?”
“Later,” the three of us said in unison, and his mouth shut tight.
“You’re right, Lena. Althea and I took a very big risk, but it’s something I will never regret doing, because it gave us you.”
Tears welled in my eyes once more. From how much I’d cried this past month, I was surprised there was anything left.
“Sometimes we have to take risks for the ones we love.” My father looked towards Declan, who hadn’t taken his eyes off me since I began talking. Father’s cold expression melted, and a smile cracked through.
He rose to his feet and extended his hand to help Declan up. The air in my chest halted.
Declan wrapped his palm around my father’s. Father pulled him up into his arms. “I’m sorry, son. Welcome to the family.”
Dec’s smile beamed, and even though he tried to fight it, his eyes began to gloss over as well.
“The promise still stands though.” My father pulled back, resting his palms on Declan’s shoulders. “Anything happens to her, I’ll kill you myself. Understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
Chapter 66
Declan
The sun started to set behind the mountains as we approached the opening to Oria.
Hidden between two of the largest mountains of the Umbra Peaks was a small crack, wide enough to fit the horses, but not the carts, so we unloaded those and left them behind.
I took Elena’s hand and guided her through the opening. A sting hummed over our bodies, and her nose crinkled before her eyes turned towards mine.
“What was that?” She shivered, rubbing her hands over her arms.
“A powerful ward. It glamours the entrance, and this next one blocks those without the Rebellion mark from passing through.” I paused and watched her brows furrow. “Give me your wrist.”
“You still haven’t learned.” She crossed her arms.
A breathy laugh escaped her lips when I rolled my eyes. “Give me your wrist,please.” I flipped her hand over to show the inside of her wrist and pulled my dynamis to the surface. “This is going to sting a little, Wildfire.”
Her eyebrows rose high, and I placed the mark on her wrist. She hissed from the burn of the mark. I removed my hand so that she could see.
The sight caused a sharp intake of her breath, and the sound tugged against the bond, making me ache to be closer.
“It’s a phoenix,” she breathed.
“You’ve been giving us all hope, even before you knew it, love.” I pressed a tender kiss against her temple and moved her forward through the final ward. “Welcome to the Rebellion, Light Phoenix.”
Elena
The sky above was painted in warm hues as the sun set behind the mountain. Everywhere the setting sun touched was gilded by the glow.
