Unleashed (The Gate Chronicles Book 3)

Chapter 24: Coming Around

When Ryder regained consciousness, she felt a soft mattress beneath her and warm arms around her. She kept her eyes closed and listened to the soft breathing of the person beside her. Without even looking, she knew that it was Donnovan. Who else would it be?

She’d listened to his quiet breathing at night more times than she could count. Long after he’d thought she’d fallen asleep, she had stayed still and quiet, letting him watch her until he fell asleep. She didn’t know how many times he’d done that. She usually was asleep before he was, but there were times when she caught him at it.

Other times, she would lie awake long after he was asleep, listening for the inevitable whisper of his nightmares haunting him. Being as she was part nightmare, she always knew when the nightmares came. It often woke her before it even woke Donnovan. It hurt her because she wanted to stop his suffering. She couldn’t do so without touching him, though. She wasn’t full nightmare, and that was why.

She curled closer to him, reveling in the warmth of the rare sunshine coming through the windows of the room on East Base. Her head rested against his chest, and she smiled as she felt his chest rise and fall in sleep.

These moments allowed her to forget Alyx for a few precious moments at least.

I’m not gone, you know. Alyx grumbled. And your sister is nearly gone. As you sit here in your lover’s arms, enjoying a quiet moment.

What? Ryder growled. Donnovan would never let me out of a magic-free zone. Not with you in my head.

It was either that or let you die.

You would never kill me without completing your revenge.

He doesn’t know that.

Ryder didn’t say anything to Alyx, but she tried to wiggle out of Donnovan’s arms. He started, tightening his hold around her as he opened his eyes, the grey in his irises more pronounced after his sleep.

She trailed her fingers down his cheeks with a sad smile. As she thought about what he’d done for her sake, tears filled her eyes.

“Hush…” Donnovan whispered, his touch gentle as he wiped the tears away. “It’s okay, Ry…”

She shook her head. “It isn’t.” She murmured. “You freed him.”

“He would’ve killed you.”

“N…” Ryder was going to blurt out the truth, but Alyx grabbed the words from her.

“What?” Donnovan stroked her face, brushing a strand of loose hair out of her eyes.

“I can’t tell you.”

Donnovan sighed. “That’s okay… For now, just relax.”

“I can’t, Nova! My sister is dying now because he’s out.”

“What can we do about that?” Donnovan asked, frowning.

“I have to complete his purpose.” Ryder whispered to him. “He’s going to put it into motion soon. You have to let me go.”

He shook his head. “No.”

She took his face in her hands and kissed him softly. Moving away, she looked him in the eye. “Listen to me, Donnovan. When this is done, I am going to die. You can’t prevent it. So please, let go of me now. I don’t want you to feel the loss.”

“I’d rather have the little time you have left than none.” Donnovan hissed. “I’ll fight for you no matter what the cost. You aren’t going to die.”