Ember's P.O.V."Everything is going to be okay, my little sun. I will be by your side. It will get better." I hear Dex's voice sweetly whisper. It brought me comfort knowing he was still here. "I love you, Ember." My heart stopped. I couldn't hear that right now. I was too lost in my heart ache to hear that he loves me. I don't need the only person I can lean on right now trying to hit on me. I pretended to still be asleep. He can't love me if I didn't hear it right?My chest hurt again, making me whimper. Talia was dormant in me. The loss of our mate was too much for her. I wish I could do the same. Sleep for the rest of eternity. I don't want to feel this anymore. I wish Ash could be here to comfort me. I really miss him, but gods do I hate him right now. There's a war inside of myself. The one determining whether we will ever forgive him. I groaned in pain. Losing Toni is hell. Losing him because of Ash only makes it that much worse. I feel so empty inside. I gave in to my exhaus
I let Lien take full control, falling deep in the solace of my mind. If only I could stay here forever. We flew around in the sky, keeping out of view of the humans. After what felt like too little of a time, she brought us back. We landed in the trees and I shifted back. Dex found me first, wrapping his arms around me and embracing me tightly. This was the first time he had ever hugged me like this while we stood. His chest was warm and his scent was comforting me… that ocean breeze and coconut. I clutched onto his shirt in front of me. "I am so sorry, Ember. If I could, I would lock your pain away." He whispered. He sounded choked up. I saw a stray tear slide down his cheek. "I wish you could." I used my voice for the first time in days. It was barely a whisper, sounding raspy. "There's that beautiful voice." He let out a breath. "I've missed it." He wiped my tears away with his thumb. His gray eyes stared intently into mine. There was a mixture of pain and adoration in them. I
Ash's P.O.V. (The day Toni died)Larminiel was kind enough to let me come stay with him in his kingdom. Mom argued at first but she understood my decision. She supported it despite her want for me to stay home with her. "I love you, my sweet first born. Please take care of yourself and keep me updated. I expect a phone call every evening. You hear me?" She used her stern motherly tone. "I wouldn't dream of skipping a phone call with you." I smiled at her. It was forced though. It doesn't feel right to smile…not after everything I have done. I killed him. I hurt Ember in this way. No one else… me. "Let's get going before it gets too hard to say goodbye." Larminiel patted my back. "Lovely to see you as always, Rain. I'll look after your boy. Don't you worry." He gave mom a genuine smile with a small hug. "Thank you, Larminiel. This means a lot." Larminiel waved his hand like it was nothing. I told Dad, Charles and Eryn goodbye already. I had handed Dex my letter to Rain too. I hop
Ash's P.O.V.I didn't get much sleep. I had constant nightmares of everything I had done. I kept dreaming of my hand in Toni's chest. No matter how hard I try I can't get his lifeless eyes out of my head. Forgive me Toni. "Good morning, Ash." Saeya's voice greeted me as I entered her kitchen. She had a plate of food in her hand that she shoved into my chest. "Take it and eat before we get started. You missed Larminiel this morning. He said he would see you later. He's hoping you will take our daughter to the palace when she arrives." I took the plate from her, having no other choice. I sat at the table and picked at it. The food was good but I didn't have much of an appetite. Toni's face kept popping into my mind curdling my stomach. A twisted feeling stayed in my heart. "Do you not like the food?" Saeya's face looked concerned. "Oh no, it's really very delicious. I just don't have much of an appetite this morning." I explained giving her a forced smile. She made a face, showing
Ash's P.O.V.Layla and I spent the next 10 minutes trying to get to know each other better. It was too short of a Time to really get to know each other that well. She's an only child but she has some cousins in the West. That's where she'd been. She was visiting her family for a week. She didn't attend the summit so her dad was having her visit kingdoms throughout the country to start and make her connections with everybody.I warned her about Hunter's Kingdom and the way he is and she said she had gotten that sense from him. She had already been to his kingdom, but thankfully nothing had happened. She had kept her distance and made sure to always be around somebody while there. It seems she has very good intuition as well as a kind heart. Thankfully she doesn't seem to be very quick to trust everyone just because she's kind. Larminiel came through the door. His face was serious and I froze for a moment. He walked toward us with great speed. Is he angry? He said he wanted me to be La
Ember's P.O.V. It had been a month since Toni's funeral. The leaves had turned orange and red in the fall foliage. The leaves looked beautiful over Toni's grave. I visit him every day. Sometimes when the pain is too much, I sleep here over him. I always wake up to a blanket over me and Dex asleep beside a tree in the distance. Dex has not left my side. He's the only one that is able to make this pain bearable. He's the only one that can get me to eat, or bathe, or even get off my bed. The ache in my chest was still strong, but it didn't kill me as much. I got off the ground and made my way to Dex. He was still sleeping, but he looked so uncomfortable. I went to shake him awake, but stopped when I could feel the heat radiating off him. I pressed my hand against his forehead. He was burning up. He slept out here in the cold for me and got himself sick. "Dex?" I lightly called him name. "Has my little sun risen?" He smirked. "We need to get you back. You have a fever. You shouldn'
I sat up so fast when I snapped back to my body. I woke up Dex when I did. My heart was aching deeply again. Everything Toni had said to me ran through my head. "Woah Ember, what's wrong?" Dex's arms wrapped around me again. His chin leaning on my shoulder. He's my destined one. Is that why my heart always seems to flutter around him? This whole time.Maybe it was just a dream though. Maybe those were things my brain made up to try to make me feel better. I ran toward the clinic. I need to know if it's true. Dex got up calling after me. He followed me as I ran through the halls. Once in the clinic I searched through the cabinet and drawers. Finally finding what I need. "Is that a pregnancy test? Ember what's going on?" Dex's eyes widened. He was still shirtless and his abs were just as toned as before, even with him not working out this past month. I didn't answer him. I ran to the bathroom and peed on the stick. I didn't have to wait those 3 minutes as the test instantly read pre
Ash's P.O.V. Layla and I had become very close this past month. I celebrated her birthday with her. I took her to the human town and had her go trick or treating with the permission of her parents. She loved it so much. She had lit up like a kid on Christmas. I was madly in love with this woman. I wouldn't let myself stay happy though. Ember was still hurting and so I will be too. I don't deserve Layla. I wish so badly that I could talk to Ember. I wish so badly that I could tell her about Layla. I miss my Twinkie. I miss my little ember in the dark. Mom chose her name so well. She really was a little fire starter. I'm the one that snuffs out the fire. "Ash, stop it." Layla scolded me. "What?" I asked. "Stop brooding. You're going to give yourself wrinkles." I laughed at the little face she made trying to mock my brooding. She has a way of taking me out of my dark thoughts. "I'm sorry. Will you not love me if I have wrinkles?" I teased. "I'll always love you." She deadpanned. M