The Prince of Ilios

Ninety-Five

Nicola's voice wasn't much above a whisper, "I'm sorry. Deeply. Truly. I should have never left. I was dumb and believed him."

"If I was so important to you, you should have told me." She replied without looking at him.

"Yes. I should have. I should have left a note for you." He sat up straighter, brushing her tears away as she lifted her head, "I was bringing all of the soldiers I could to overthrow Cyrus, but it was unnecessary. You had already won the day." He tucked a honeyed curl behind her ear.

Ellora smacked his hand away, "Stop it. Stop touching me. I'd rather be in pain."

Nicola's face laced with concern, his voice strained, "Why? I love you!"

Ellora finally looked him in the eye, if looks could kill, he would be dead. Her voice came out low and serious, "Because that's what he did, and it's torture. This stupid curse. Whenever I was with him it would ease the pain, and when he was away I burned from the inside out. I can't do it again. I can't be so desperate again. Even in the last moment when I killed him, I almost hesitated because I knew that it would hurt me ten-fold. As I watched his face turn gray, I couldn't stand the pain anymore, and I blacked out. Don't love me. I could have ended him sooner, but I was too afraid I would fail, too afraid of the pain, and too afraid of what he would do to me in return. I'm broken, and I can't pick up the pieces. You couldn't possibly love me."

HIs heart rent, as Ellora drew ever further into herself. He swallowed, "I do, and I could never leave your side again at this point. I am too far gone myself."

Ellora shook her head, "I'm sorry, I can't have you around. You probably endured worse, I don't want the responsibility of reminding you of that while I figure out what I need. That time before Cyrus was like a different lifetime."

Nicola nodded, "I have been in many battles. I have been captured and tortured, I have been abused in my own home. But I will ensure that you have the one thing I never did in those times."

"What?" She finally let her emotions into her voice.

"A companion." Nicola tilted his head to the side, "I don't need your love in return to love you. I will stay by your side through every bought and gale. You are the one I want and need in my life. If you are broken, I will help you collect the pieces. If you are hurt, I will hurt with you. If you are happy, I will rejoice with you."

Tears fell down her face, "I don't know if I can let you in, I don't know what you expect of me."

"You don't have to let me in. I have no expectations other than, please, let me just be with you. All we can do is take it moment by moment. There is no need to rush anything." He held his hand out to her.

Ellora looked down at it. She felt so unprepared for this step. Everything had been such a whirlwind and she had not been able to think. It had all been for a chance to survive. She was in a place where this decision was not about survival. It was an option, a choice. What do I want? She closed her eyes and breathed for a moment. Before these two dreadful months, she had grown fond of Nicola, Dare I even admit, loved him quietly. Her hand hung in the air above his. Had that changed? Yes, certainly. But she could not bring herself to hate him. There were places of anger that he played a part in, but underneath it all, she still held out hope that they could be together. Her hand trembled slightly, but when she moved she knew she had made a decision. Her hand grasped his. The tingling warmth of their touch eased her pain, and made her feel like she had finally made it home.

Nicola smiled warmly back at her, his heart soaring, "Thank you, Ellie."

The End.

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Thank you all for reading. I already have the second book in this now, series in the works. "The Witch of Zima" will be coming soon :)