Page 50 of Rising Out of the Darkness
There was laughter and merriment all around the camp tonight. Everyone was eager to get back home and continue where they had left almost two weeks ago. Even Killian and Liam seemed excited to return. They chuckled about a tab they’d forgotten to pay at the local tavern and how someone named Lucille would be after them the moment they reached the city gates.
I struggled to smile at their conversations as my mind wandered a thousand different places. The impending doom that awaited me and the guilt of leaving my town without a healer consumed my thoughts. Killian must have observed my blank stare, because the log creaked beside me as he took a seat.
“Not hungry tonight, Elena?”
Half a bowl of stew still swirled within the bowl. So much that I even surprised myself. “I suppose not.” My voice faded as I shrugged off the question.
“Something is weighing heavy on your thoughts, Elena. I’ve learned it’s always better to let it out than ruminate on it.”
Firelight danced about his golden locks. I didn’t have to pull emotions to know there was genuine kindness behind his smile. Desperately alone, I yearned for someone to trust. Seeing as how my time might end shortly, what harm could come from opening up now?
“Everything is just—” I paused, noticing my trembling hands. “It’s beginning to feel overwhelming.” I dug my fingers into my knees, clinging on so I didn’t get emotional in front of Killian.With a knowing nod, he didn’t speak, just patiently waited for me to continue.
“As you saw a few days ago, I have some knowledge with healing. My mother was the only Healer in our town, and she taught me several healing techniques growing up—ones that didn’t need magic, just someone who cared enough to pay attention to the ingredients with healing properties. I loved learning and experimenting alongside my mother. Together we were able to create powerful healing elixirs and salves. Together, we were able to help a lot of people.”
Tears pressed behind my eyes, and I rubbed my fingers over them to try to alleviate the ache. After a deep breath, the words continued to spill from me.
“I—I did the best I could after my mother passed away, but I don’t have the dynamis that she did. No matter how devoted I was, there were some I couldn’t save. Now, my town is left without anyone to help them. I’ve left them to suffer.” I cringed at my own words. “It’s been two years, Killian, I’ve had two years to have someone learn alongside of me, but I didn’t. Gods, why was I so selfish…so irresponsible? I’ve let everyone down, just as I do everyone in my life, it seems.
“The gods are torturing me with this power, this strength inside of me.” A frustrated huff tumbled out of me. “It’s almost hilarious, you know? You’ve only known me for four days, but even you can see through the mask I wear daily. How am I supposed to pretend to be strong, powerful, brave when the real Elena is weak, insecure and unstable?” Tears began to flood down my cheeks. “I fear I will not survive whatever fate awaits me at the capital.”
Killian pulled out a small cloth from his pocket and offered it to me. “Elena, I’ve only been around you for a few days, but I can see that you seriously underestimate yourself.”
As I wiped the cloth over my cheeks, my face froze in bewilderment.
“Lena, since the very first day you have always put others first. You’ve worried about your father, that boy Will, the child in Wildebrooke, and now the people of your town. You’ve never backed down from your fears this entire trip. We didn’t make it easy for you in the beginning, yet you still fought with us, challenged us at every step. Hells, you even saved one of our own guards from poison, Elena. You showed compassion to the very people who took you from the safety of your home.
“Best of all, you’ve constantly challenged Declan, which I must say, my lady, very few do and live to tell stories about it.” He chuckled under his breath. “What I’m trying to say, Elena, is that you are a fighter. As a captain of the Royal Guard, it’s my job to discover a person’s character and strength when they are presented before me.”
Embarrassment flooded my cheeks, and I averted my gaze towards the fire. How could someone I’d only known for days see those things within me when I couldn’t even see them in myself?
“I’m not a fighter, Killian. My weaknesses have been on display this entire trip.” I held his gaze, challenging him to tell me I was wrong.
“Resilience is by far the most powerful strength one can have. Anyone who can survive being beaten down and yet still rise with the sun each day is someone I would stand next to in battle any day. As a good friend once told me, it’s in our fears and weaknesses that we discover our strength.”
The words resonated in my soul, just as they had the night before when he had said them.
Declan.
The thought of him made me wonder where he had gone off to. Narrowing my eyes through the shadows around the camp, I finally spotted him at the farthest end of the clearing,his shoulder perched against a tree, his gaze fixed towards the horizon. Towards the capital.
My eyes shifted towards Killian, asking for permission to leave. He followed my line of sight, then gave my shoulder a squeeze before joining the others.
I rose as well, trying to make my exit without too much distraction. I made my way through the muck and tried my best not to slip.
A branch snapped underneath my boots. My body stiffened as I shut my eyes and winced, preparing myself for the worst. When I realized that there was no yelling, I peeked open my eyes to see that the prince hadn’t even flinched. He was lost in thought, his eyes glued to the castle on the horizon.
I narrowed my eyes to get a better glimpse of it myself. The castle was built with white stone that looked faintly blue under the moonlight sky. Foliage crept along the sides of the walls, and vines climbed over four large towers. Torches lit the castle, and the warm light reflected a colorful hue from what looked to be several stained-glass windows. On top of each of the towers navy blue flags waved in the sea breeze. Each adorned with the familiar kingdom crest. I had expected a dark and gloomy castle, but the sight before me was nothing like that.
I inhaled to gather the courage to tap the man before me on the shoulder. With my arm extended, ready to make contact, Declan peered over his shoulder. His eyes met mine as I shoved my arm down, trying my best not to look ridiculous. A smile formed on his lips as he pushed away from the tree he was leaning against. He took a step towards me until he invaded my space.
The night air was chilly tonight. I could almost smell the salt from the ocean in the air, as the City of Shadows resided alongside it. The wind tangled between us, causing my arms tobecome pebbled with goosebumps. A shiver followed as I rubbed my arms to try to create some warmth.
Observing my chill, Declan slid off his cloak. I raised my hand to stop him, to which he scoffed and pushed my hand away. Once the cloak was over my shoulders, he tugged the button through the loop, which sat snugly over my collar bone. The warmth of his touch on my skin sent shivers all over my body; however, this time it wasn’t from the cold.
Neither of us had spoken a word since my arrival, and the silence continued as Declan finished buttoning the cloak. Suddenly, the air around us felt warm, almost electric, as his fingers traced my neckline all the way up to my chin. He lifted it slowly to make me meet his gaze.
“Come to check on me, Wildfire?” As his hand fell, my body leaned forward, chasing after the heat of his touch. Clearing my throat, I took a step back to give us some distance.
