Page 63 of Rising Out of the Darkness
A small huff of frustration fled through Elena’s lips. Rising from my chair, I extended my arm for her to hold. Mirroring me, she rose and gave a silent bow to my father and Alastor.
“Oh, and Elena?”
We both halted and our heads turned to face my father.
“You do not leave this castle. No letters. No communication to the outside. You will do nothing unless I say so.” His lips curled up into a smug grin, as Alastor chuckled into his goblet.
The hair on my neck stood straight up, and I could feel the muscles in my neck pulse as I began to charge towards them both. A delicate hand wrapped around my wrist, and as I whipped around to meet her eyes, all the fury died like a sail withno wind. Elena nodded her head solemnly, and tears clouded her lovely blue eyes.
With a deep breath, I placed her hand over my arm and guided her around the long table and out the dining room doors as fast as I could.
Chapter 23
Declan
Only our footsteps echoed against the wooden floors as I ushered her back through the castle hallways. It wasn’t until we turned the corner towards our rooms that I felt her entire demeanor change. Face slick with sweat, her complexion blanched. The tension around my arm loosened as she released her grip and raced down the hallway, swung her door wide open and disappeared within. Without hesitation, I stormed after her.
Barreling through the open door, I was surprised to find the room vacant. Until the sounds of retching thundered from the bathroom.
Strolling into the bathroom, I paused to grab a small white cloth and ran cool water over it. Elena hunched over the toilet, holding on for dear life.
“Ugh, go away…please. You don’t need to see me like this,” she gurgled, taking a breath only to retch again.
Little did she know I’d seen my fair share of unmentionable things, and this was exceedingly low on that list. I swept the hair back away from her face, holding it for her as she disposed of the last remnants of her dinner. An ache in my heart blossomed at the sight, as well as the desire to sweep her into my arms androck her back and forth until she felt better. Instead, I watched as she pulled away from the toilet, sitting back on her heels.
She went to wipe her mouth with the back of her hand, and I lowered her hand while placing the cool, wet towel over her forehead and over her lips.
“I’m so embarrassed,” Elena groaned, her freckled nose wrinkled with disgust.
“Nothing to be embarrassed about, Lena.” I extended my hands to help her up. “Let’s get you out of here.”
When she placed her hands in mine, I lifted her to her feet. The hem of her long silk dress tangled underneath her, sending her crashing into me. One of my hands now held the back of her head, while the other arm ended up wrapped firmly around her waist.
Even through the thin fabric I could feel the zing of energy from our connection. Elena twitched underneath me, her body’s reaction similar to mine, fueling my confidence. My fingers slid against the cool, black satin and stopped at the small of her back. Her lips trembled as I rubbed calming circles as I swept away the hair that had fallen into her face with my other hand.
Elena tilted her head up to meet my gaze, her eyes glistening, face flushed in the most beautiful shade of pink I have ever seen. She placed both of her hands over my chest, pushing herself back onto her feet. Taking a few steps away, she caught my glance again through her lashes and whispered, “Thank you…Declan.”
“Anytime.” I nudged her with my shoulder, coaxing her to follow me back into the bedroom.
Once she made it to the bedroom, she slumped into one of the velvet armchairs near the fireplace. The fire crackled in the silence, and my heart stumbled at the sight of the light illuminating every inch of her body. She glowed like a goddess herself. Every couple of moments, her eyelids dipped.Exhaustion threatened to pull her under. If I wanted to speak with her, now was the time. Training started tomorrow, after all.
“Elena?”
“Mmhmm?” Drowsiness clung to her mumble.
This woman stirred emotions I hadn’t felt within me in so long, much like the nerves that swelled within my stomach right now. “What you did tonight, how you stood up to my father and Alastor…I have never seen a more astonishing feat.”
No words left her lips. Those deep aqua eyes pierced into mine, questioning my statement. Elena was intuitive to so many things around her,exceptwhen it came to her own self-worth. I genuinely thought she had no idea the strength and beauty she possessed. I was learning that she was a very powerful woman.
Taking long strides towards her, I lowered to my knees in front of her. Her eyes became more alert as I grabbed her hands on her lap. She squirmed a little further back in the chair, her chest rising and falling with her breaths.
“Not many have been graced with the pleasure of me kneeling before them, my lady. Look at me, Elena.”
The words were a gentle order, just like the caress of my fingers as I held her chin. Glossy eyes watched me from beneath heavy lashes. A tremble rippled over her skin beneath my touch.
“Wildfire, you have done something tonight that I have never been able to do in my entire life. You managed to stand up against my father and Lord Alastor, and your will was unfaltering. My dear, your spirit continues to amaze me. You blaze through every barrier placed before you like it never even existed. I work with several brave and strong guards daily, but you, sweet Lena, you are one of the strongest people I have ever met.”
There was no mistaking the hitch of her breath, even when she broke my gaze to stare into the fire instead. With one lastbrush of her cheek with the back of my hand, I pulled back and rose to my feet.
