“He’s got the rest of the Elite and our army helping him. Also, Luke has a habit of shedding it during battle. He says he can’t move as well with it on.”
“Why would he do that?” Then I remember him saying how he’d rather not wear any at all. That he’s used to it, but still prefers to not have the restriction. “We have to go back!” I cry. Tears start pouring down my cheeks. I grip Oliver’s shirt in front of me and sob into him. I don’t care that I’m hurt. Luke is all that matters. “Please, we have to go back.”
His arms wrap around my back as he pulls me close, but they don’t provide the same warmth and comfort that Luke’s do. He holds me tightly as the dragon banks to the left, and we make our descent to the Azure Kingdom. Before closing my eyes, I see the field of blue flowers below where I first met my prince.
Aftermath
I don’t even know how I got from Elliott’s dragon to Luke’s bed. The healer came to the house to fix me up and left quickly after in anticipation of other casualties. Apparently my wound wasn’t as deep as I thought and only needed to be cleaned and bandaged.
I lay in Luke’s bed crying for what feels like hours. The last time I felt this helpless was when my mom was dying, and there was nothing I could do to help her. I’m not alone in the room. Oliver has been with me since we landed. Elliott was too for a while. I didn’t think he felt comfortable leaving me alone with Oliver, but after the day’s events and our location, if Oliver tried to take me he wouldn’t get far. Oliver has gotten the brunt of my anger a few times, but I’ve lost the fight in me. He held me for a while and let me cry on him. I let out all of my fear regarding Luke’s well-being. In such a short time, I’ve become so used to having him around and very attached to him; I don’t want to be without him. But it didn’t matter how much begging and pleading I did, neither Oliver nor Elliott would let me leave.
The room is dark when a loud disturbance wakes me. I must have dozed off without meaning to. I sit up and see the moon’s light shining in, casting a glow upon Oliver. He stiffens near the doorway.
Someone is thumping up the stairs. Wait, two people are. Their voices are a dull murmur and I can’t make out who it is. Oliver moves to block the door. Then I hear him. My Prince. He growls, “I may be injured, but I can still kick your ass, Sage. Now move.”
My heart is beating wildly. I jump from the bed and am about to shove Oliver out of the way, when he turns to me. The light from downstairs pours in, illuminating his face. Pain is evident in Oliver’s eyes, and I hate that I’m the reason it’s there. He hangs his head and moves aside.
Luke stumbles in and drops to his knees before me. He looks like hell. His hair is wild, sticking up at odd angles. He’s shirtless, only wearing a pair of thin pants. His face is caked with blood, as are his hands, chest, and stomach. I drop to the floor so I’m even with him, and place my hands on his shoulders to steady him as he lists to the side. There are stitches across his chest from the gash I saw earlier. The skin is red and angry.
Moving my hands, I cup his cheeks, bringing his eyes to mine. “Oh, Luke,” I whisper. I start to get choked up and try to keep my tears at bay, however it’s of no use. Seeing him alive makes me elated, but the blood covering him has me hating that he was hurt because of me.
He sags into my touch. “My princess,” he murmurs. “I’m sorry for what I’ve done. I didn’t know what else to do. Please forgive me.”
“What are you apologizing for? You didn’t do anything wrong. You came back to me. That’s all that matters.”
His eyes meet mine and I can tell how sincere he is. It occurs to me why he wants forgiveness. He thinks I’m mad that he killed my father. In truth, I never knew the man, and the little bit I saw of him tonight, I’m glad I didn’t. How he could hold a sword to his own daughter’s neck? I’m not sorry Luke did what he had to so I could be saved. I’m only sorry for all that he endured on my behalf.
“Don’t,” I say. “You don’t have to apologize for that. If you didn’t take care of him, then I might not be here.”
“He was still your father.”
“No,” I shake my head. “While I might refer to him that way, he was never a father to me. I gave him the chance to talk to me and he threatened to kill me. A father doesn’t do that. A father loves and cherishes their child. He did neither.”
Looking up and to my right, I see Elliott and Oliver watching us. “Elliott, please help me get him to the tub. I want to get this blood off of him.” He nods and puts one of Luke’s arms over his shoulder to gently lift him. I start to follow when I feel a hand on my arm. Turning I see Oliver behind me.
“Princess Alison, I cannot stay here. My kingdom must be in turmoil over the loss of their king. I’d ask you to reconsider joining me, but after the night we’ve had I don’t think there is any way you will.” He steps closer, his thumb brushes over my bottom lip. It’s too intimate and causes me to lean away. He lets out a sigh. “I know where your heart lies, however should you ever change your mind, I’ll be waiting.” He leans forward, brushes his lips across my cheek and whispers, “Forever.”
“Oliver –”
He doesn’t let me finish. “Please, don’t say anymore. I want to remember you like this. Beautiful, your eyes only on mine. I don’t know when I’ll see you again, but should you ever need me, I’m only a short flight away by dragon. I will always come when you request me.”
Now there are tears welling in my eyes for a whole different reason. How can someone who doesn’t know me, care about me so deeply? I need to tell him that I want him to move on with his life and not wait for me. I’m not the woman for him.
A throat clears behind me, interrupting our conversation. I realize how close Oliver is still standing to me. I take a step back. Oliver’s eyes narrow over my shoulder.
“Azure, do you have a horse I can borrow to get back to my kingdom?”
Elliott steps up beside me. He places a protective hand at the small of my back. “I’ll do you one better, Sage. I’ll let you borrow my dragon. He knows his way back. Plus, if you don’t send him back within the hour, I’ll come for you,” he says with a malicious smile. Oliver nods having gotten the message.
Turning to me, Elliott motions with his head toward the bathroom. I start to walk away, but turn back and close the distance between Oliver and myself. I place a kiss on his cheek and hug him tightly. His arms pull me closer, his cheek resting against mine.
Whispering in his ear, I say, “Thank you for protecting me and ensuring my safety. I’ll never forget you, Oliver Sage.”