Page 92 of Rising Out of the Darkness
I bottled up every emotion, everything I had left buried deep down inside. He extended his hand, and I placed it inside mine.Dynamis rushed forward at my summons, pressing painfully against my skin, urging to be released. Locking sights on the beast, I let it fly.
A powerful golden wind blasted them all back. Two hit the sides of buildings. The crack of breaking bones rang in the air, and they both lay lifeless on the ground. The final beast whined as it struggled to get back onto all fours.
The captains continued to bombard it with their dynamis. Out of daggers, Killian held his sword at the ready.
The final beast slumped to the ground, but it still tried to use its claws to pull its body towards us. Declan and I approached the beast before it could rise again.
Hollowness filled the depths of where my dynamis resided, and I finally felt what it was like to drain my well. Releasing my grip on Declan’s hand, I palmed my dagger tightly. As I kneeled over the beast, I slid the blade through its heart. Black blood oozed out of the wound just as Declan shoved his sword into the beast’s neck, severing its head from its body.
Exhausted, I rolled off the beast, falling toward the cobblestones. Before I hit, strong arms slid underneath mine. Declan lifted me back onto my feet. Sweat beaded his brow, his breaths still coming out in short pants. I brushed my hand tenderly over his temple, wiping the sweat away before it stung his eyes.
“We did it,” he whispered into my hair as he pulled me closer.
“Of course we did.” My words rumbled into his chest as it vibrated with laughter. “Remember, I’m avery powerful woman.I suppose you weren’t too bad yourself.”
We were an exhausted mess. Hysteria had started to set in. He shook his head, and for the first time ever he rolled his eyes. I pinched his side, and he let out a low growl. “Is that a challenge, Wildfire?”
“Perhaps.”
A mischievous light danced across his eyes. However, it faded when whispers echoed all around us.
Declan and I took in the people who now surrounded us. Some stood in awe, others continued to whisper to each other.
“Did you see what they did?”
“Their dynamis shines brighter than all the stars in the sky.”
“They all saved us. Gods bless the Light Phoenix.”
We turned to face the people who had trickled out of their homes. All at once, whispers stilled and silence spread across the street. Heads bowed, and people lifted their fingertips to their lips, then placed them over their hearts. Like a ripple, the same motion was repeated by everyone surrounding us, including Liam, Killian and Nayla.
“Declan.” I paused, my voice quivering. “Wh-what are they doing?”
“It’s a sign of respect.”
“B-but we just did what anyone else would have done?—”
“No, Elena, not everyone would have done this. You’ve given them more reason to love you, to respect you. Reminded them to maintain hope, my love.”
I swallowed, shoving down the thick emotion threatening to burst free. Not only had his words shaken me, but also the tenderness that flew through his lips when he called me “love.”
“We all did this together, remember?” I whispered, giving a bow of my head to the three captains behind us and finally to the prince in front of me. I raised my fingertips to my lips.
“Elena. W-what are you doing?” He swallowed, trying to grip me around my back as I gently pushed his hands free.
I placed my palm flat over my heart, bending down on one knee in front of my prince. His eyes widened, and a smile grew like a flame upon my face. The crowd that surrounded us all rippled down to one knee.
This time it wasn’t for the Light Phoenix.
This time it was for their prince.
Declan’s eyes began to gloss over. He blinked rapidly, as he brushed a palm over his face. A tiny crack in his ward slivered away, enough for me to be able to feel the warm breeze of love and compassion wash over me.
“Rise,” he said. At his command, we all rose, awaiting the words of our prince. “Tonight, we have learned something invaluable.” He reached forward to intertwine his hand in mine. “We learned that we are never alone in this world. We are stronger together, and together we have the prowess to take down our enemies. No longer do you need to live in fear, as we will unite as one to take down the evil that surrounds our city and this kingdom. Together, we will end this.”
Cheers erupted from all around us on the crowded street. Each person smiled with teary eyes full of hope. Some rushed to shake the hands of the captains or pat their backs.
The little girl from earlier, probably no older than the age of four, stumbled over to Declan. Her sunshine curls swayed in the night breeze as she squeezed the thickness of his calf in a tight embrace. I chuckled at his shocked face as he peered down to see what was wrapped around his leg. My heart throbbed as he picked her up and swung her around. She squealed with laughter, and Declan’s laugh was so loud it could have rattled the windows.
