Promises

Chapter 1- Promises

*Two days earlier*

"She's coming, and when she rises, your entire family will burn in her inferno," I screamed as my body hung in the air. I couldn't move; I was frozen in place. Ahmes clawed to break free, but she was being suppressed within my mind by powerful magic.

"When I break free, I will kill you. That's a promise." I snarled. The witch before me let out a manic laugh. His voice was low as he spoke.

"When I'm done with you, you won't even remember your own name, mutt," I screamed as I felt the heat of his magic burning against my own. Then, suddenly, I couldn't scream anymore as I was plunged into cold waters. As I gasped for air, my lungs filled with water. Everything burned, and I was thrashing against the current that had pulled me under. I was drowning, and I couldn't do anything to save myself.

Sirens swam below me, singing. Their voices were a dream as they sang their songs, trying to lull me into a haze of submission. The way their scales shined in the moonlight was so alluring. The burning seemed to fade away as I focused on their music.

Suddenly I was ripped from that reality. I screamed and thrashed—a deep voice yelling for me as I cried out. Apollo laid on the ground reaching for me. But no matter what I tried to do to get closer to him, I couldn't. I couldn't save him; I was too far away.

"Nes," He shouted for me. I tried to call out, but suddenly hands were wrapped around my throat. I clawed at them, trying to get them off. Their nails only dug in deeper, drawing blood as they gripped tighter around me. I looked up and let out a gurgled cry for help. Eyes. So many eyes stared back at me.

My mothers', my siblings', my fathers.' Set after set, full of disappointment and disgust as they watched me struggle to breathe.

"You insufferable girl, they will hate you for all of eternity." A demonic voice whispered into my ear. Their touch made me scream out in pain. Fear consumed me as I thrashed my body around, trying to break free from this darkness. Shadows danced around me, their cold touch running across my skin. Everything was so dark and cold.

I was so cold.

"Nes, come back to me, my love." A voice urged softly. I felt the warmth of their touch envelop me, fighting for my attention through the cold that had now latched onto my soul.

"Be warned, foolish girl. Darkness will rise once again, and it starts with you." The voice hissed. Suddenly I was ripped from the shadows. I shot up from my bed, gasping for air. A thin layer of sweat coated my skin. My heart pounded against my chest as I panted. I shut my eyes, trying to calm myself—the scar across my face and back aching in a pulsing rhythm.

Despite the sweat, my body was ice cold; it always seemed cold these days. Warm hands pressed against my skin, causing me to gasp. It took me a minute to realize it was just a nightmare. To realize that I was back in Gardania safe in my room with my mate and our daughters.

My mate stared at me, full of concern. He pulled me into his chest, and I nuzzled his neck as he gently rubbed my back.

"You are safe. You are free. You are alive." He whispered into my hair. The faint sparks of our bond soothed me. I pressed my head tighter against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. The rhythmic beats of his heart urge my own to follow. I let out a shaky breath.

"I will never let them hurt you ever again, Nes. I promise with every fibre of my being." I pulled away and looked into his eyes. They swirled with every emotion; his brow pinched together as he looked down at me.

I reached my hand up and cupped his cheek before trailing my fingers along his sharp jawline. I ran my thumb across his lower lip, giving him a soft smile before placing my lips against his.

I pulled away and let out a sigh pushing him back against the bed. I laid my head against his chest, and he began stroking my hair.

"And I have told you a thousand times before. Do not make promises we both know are impossible to keep." He hummed in response.

"We have already done the impossible, and we can do it again. Nothing will take you away from me. If you haven't learned it by now, then you are just being naive, my love." Butterflies swirled in my stomach as I soaked up the warmth of his body against mine.

I trailed my fingers along the scars on his chest. Tracing the way they raised against the rest of his skin. He shivered, his arm tightening around my shoulder.

"These scars will always be a reminder of how close we came to never seeing one another outside the darkness. A reminder of the price I paid to have just a little more time before everything is taken away," I murmured. He gripped my chin between his forefinger and thumb, gently lifting my face, so I was looking up at him.

"These scars will always remind me of the risks I am willing to take to ensure that never happens." He let go of my chin and ran his knuckles against my left cheek. The sparks of our bond soothed the ache of the scars on my face. I could still see the regret and guilt in his eyes every time he looked at them.

"Your scars will always remind me of how strong and courageous you are. They do not define you as anything else but powerful." I wanted to believe him, truly, but something always seemed to tug on the doubt in my chest. 

"My birthday is in two days; everything will change after that. They gave me two years. Once Balor arrives, everything will be set into motion." He hummed, kissing my forehead.

"We will find a way."

"What if there isn't a way?" I whispered.

"Then we fight until our dying breath." I placed my lips against his once again. I never wanted to forget this. I never wanted to forget how his touch made my heart race and butterflies form in my stomach. How when he touched me, my toes curled and how for just a moment I felt complete once again.

He pulled away, his eyes burning into mine - the lust and desire swirling in them matching my own.

"But until then, we will live in this moment for as long as we have it."