Till Death Do Us Part // Book Three

.8.

Unsuccessful. My mission to check on my sister had been a bust. Furthermore, she was now somewhere I didn't know.

Ever since I got home, my vocal cords had decided they did not want to work, but somehow the point got across that I did not want to explain the evening's events to Grady and Edaline.

Fortunately, they didn't ask, letting the person who held me lead me to my bed. It wasn't until they put the covers over me I even realized who they were.

"Bronte?" I asked, my voice breaking into a million pieces it could easily be mistaken for a squeak rather than a name.

He turned from his spot halfway between me and my door. His eyes met mine for a moment before he turned his head away. "Get some rest,"

"What happened to them?" I sat up.

"We don't know, but we'll investigate it personally. For now, rest. We can look for your sister some other time when things get better, and you feel better."

"I'm fine," I stood, pushing the comforters off me. "We don't have any time to lose."

"When you're better," he restated. "For now we don't want to do anything that can hurt you or anyone else. I don't have to be a telepath to know you are on the verge of a breakdown. We can't have your mind shattering."

"It won't!" I cried. "Why would it? I've dealt with death, I can do the same now."

"No. There is nothing you can say to change my mind."

"Bronte," I started, waiting until he turned to meet my eyes. I wiped the tear stains on my face in an attempt to get rid of them. "It's time."

His eyes went wide. "It could be...disastrous."

"Or it could save us. It's a good plan."

"You're willing to risk all those lives?"

"There won't be any to defend if we don't."

He sighed, tapping his foot to the ground rapidly.

"Fine."

Two weeks is all it took. Two weeks and I was suddenly standing in a new, fresh building.

Outside my new, small office, I heard the clattering of swords, staffs and shields.

The last thing the Neverseen would expect is an army of elves on the defense.

I rubbed my head in an attempt to dispel the headache that accompanied a wonderful aching in my stomach.

"Bring me more things to be upset about, why don't ya?" I muttered to myself.

"I'm assuming my presence isn't happily accepted then," a voice breaks me out of my concentration.

"Fitz." I stand, reaching to cover my work, then letting my hand fall to my side. "What are you doing here?"

"No, Sophie." He says, but I can't find a trace of anger in his words. "What are you doing here? What is this place?"

"Oh come on now," I sigh. "You know what this is. You read the blueprints, the plans. It's why I left."

"Listen, I'm sorry. I really, really am. But I need my wife back. I couldn't- I can't-." He takes a breath. "I can't do this alone, Sophie. William needs his mother, I need my wife."

I cross my arms against my chest and lean away, careful not to make any noticeable movements.

He continues.

"I don't want to justify what I did. I know it was wrong, but I can't keep waking up with your face not there. I want to help. We talked about this, and I will respect your boundaries. We just need you."

I sigh, the motion pricking my eyes with tears. "You have no idea how incredibly awful it's been since I left. I don't even want to think about-. I have no choice. I need to help these people, and I can't always tell you what's happening. You overstepped with the spying and the arguments. I don't know if I'm ready."

He stepped towards me, but I kept my face angled away from his.

"Look at me," he whispered.

"I can't..." I mutter back.

He gently grabs my chin, turning my face to his. What surprises me most is that I don't resist.

Unwillingly, my view drifts to his eyes. Sea glass memories and elegant smiles used to fill his eyes.

I can't afford to get lost in them again.

"You should go," My feet find themselves going backwards.

He goes quiet for a moment.

Maybe if I close my eyes tight enough he'll go away.

"Something happened to your parents, didn't it?" He shatters the sad silence.

Tears involuntary threaten my eyes again. I can feel my brows draw together and I turn quickly to face Fitz.

My mouth parts. I want to yell at him, want to scream at him for invading my mind once again.

The strangled cry ripped from my chest surprises both of us.

I want to collapse again, fall into arms the way I had with Bronte. Cry for everything and the emotions welling up in me.

But I stand there, crying alone in no ones arms but my own. I wipe tears from my eyes with my wrist and look up at Fitz.

His arms are spread wide in an offering.

He's letting me decide if I'm ready to go back.

The next thing I know, his arms are around me with a loving kiss placed on my forehead.

Yoooo so this chapter took forever because I know where I wanted it to go but I could just not write it for some reason and it's a little short. I think I'm going to write shorter chapters so I can have a constant flow of content or I can have long ones but they'll take longer. We'll have to see.

Hope you enjoyed tho!

-Ms.Wood