Page 19 of Rising Out of the Darkness
“Warren, she can’t go into all of this blindly.” My finger jabbed into his own chest.
“You focus on protecting my daughter from your father and Alastor, and I’ll work on protecting her in my own ways.”
Closing my eyes, I shook my head. This was not a good idea at all.
“Lena, she’s—” He paused, his hand tugging over his mouth as if searching for the right words. “She may appear feisty at first glance”—he chuckled, but sadness hung on each note— “but she is extremely sensitive, Declan. She can’t handle this right now. The truth…it would push her over the edge.”
His words trailed off, his gaze now locked onto the entrance of the temple. “Let me protect her from this, at least for now. Please.”
Warren’s pleading eyes roved over mine, and I couldn’t help but concede. Nodding in agreement, I heard the faint sounds of voices as a small crowd began to grow near us.
“Oh, and Declan?”
“Hmm?”
“Don’t get any ideas with my daughter. She’s too good for you.” His lips pursed into a thin line as he stared at me, awaiting my answer. “Swear by all five gods you’ll keep your hands to yourself.”
I bit my lip in an effort not to laugh at the very serious man standing before me. “I swear by all the gods I will not try anything with your daughter, Warren.” A small snort slipped free, and his eyebrow rose. Clearing my throat, I tried toconvince him again. “You don’t have to worry about me pursuing your daughter. That will never be in the fates for me.”
“Good,” he grumbled, shaking my hand once more and dismissed me to greet Brietta. I stood behind, left to absorb the sting of his words.
Chapter 8
Elena
“Time to go, my lady.” Killian tugged me along the narrow gravel path towards the front of the temple. I shuffled along, trying to keep up as we rounded the side of the street and the temple came into view in front of us. Horses chuffed as their riders saddled them for the long journey ahead. Much to my dismay, a small crowd had also gathered.
My eyes roamed over the faces until they locked on my father’s, and I dug my feet into the ground causing both Killian and me to come to an abrupt stop.
“What the—” Killian looked down to meet my eyes.
“Please, it’s my father. Can you just”—a sob threatened to escape, but I forced it back down— “let me say goodbye? Please, he’s all I have left. I don’t know when I’ll ever see him again.”
Killian let out a heavy sigh and lifted his gaze toward Liam who nodded with approval.
Words could never convey the feelings bottled up inside of me. So instead, I just leaned into my father the best I could, my shackled hands hanging between us. Both guards took a step back, turning their heads to allow us privacy. My father enveloped me in his arms, making me never want to leave thesafety of them. Tears burst free, despite my hold over them, and I sobbed into his chest.
“Love you,” I whispered, my voice hoarse from all the crying.
“I love you too, Lena.” He placed a kiss on the top of my head. “I’m not giving up on you. I’ll find a way to bring you back, that’s a promise.”
Just as I stepped away, Bri’s voice rang out beside us. “Wait!” she gasped, pushing her way through the small crowd. As she caught her breath, she placed a satchel over my shoulder. “There’s another change of clothes, your favorite book, and”—briefly looking over my shoulder, she raised a finger over her lips as she silently mouthed— “this.”
My dagger appeared in her palm, and she slipped it inside the satchel as well. Before I could speak, her arms wrapped around me and a sob broke free from her lips.
“Love you,” she sniffled. “Stay strong, sweet girl.”
More tears began to flow down my cheeks as I leaned into her. “I’ll try my best.” My father pulled Bri away from me as I walked back towards my two guards.
When we approached the horses, Will was already mounted on top of one, a guard in front of him on the saddle. Noticing the riderless horse next to his, I started towards it. Before I took another step, a muscled arm extended in front of me blocking my path.
“And just where do you think you’re going?” Killian folded both arms over his chest.
“To mount this horse,sir.” My tone was full of disdain. “Is that okay with you?”
“My lady, how do you suppose you’ll mount the horse, much less ride it, with those shackles?”
Hells.
