Beyond

Chapter 45

Jesse

"I want to go back to the Sanctuary," I said. Going back was the only way to help things return to normal, but I wouldn't be able to see him again...

Payne didn't say another word and pulled me into a hug. "I understand."

"You could teleport to places, right? I'm not mad at you for keeping it a secret."

"...I thought that everything would turn out fine, but when I saw you lying in your pool of blood, I couldn't help but feel guilty. You were there because of me, because I made you stay with me... That would've never happened if I took you back to the Sanctuary.

"It made me even guiltier when Callista and I found out that you had the Light's Mark. That would've never happened if I took you back." His hug tightened. "I wanted to tell you everything when we were in the Underground Lair. I wanted to tell you the truth, even if you were going to hate me... even if I had to let you go.

"But part of me still wanted to be with you, so I kept convincing myself that we still had time, but we already ran out of time the moment you awakened the Light's Mark. Why did the Light's Mark have to choose you?" he asked, his voice breaking. I could feel my shoulders getting damp from his tears.

"Let's take a seat," I invited, wiping my tears that had been falling down on my cheeks.

Once we were both seated, I told Payne the whole story—the memories of Juliette and my conversation with the emperor. "...because of her curse, the firstborn child of our family looked like her... the reason why I look like this," I explained.

"So the Holy Grail misdirected everyone then. Instead of all the Dusks, it's only supposed to be the emperor," Payne said.

"Yes." I closed my eyes and leaned on him, feeling his warmth and smelling his scent. "It's not your fault, love. The three of you would've gotten the right guy if I hadn't pocketed the ring. And also, I think the Light's Mark wouldn't have awakened if I didn't go to Mt. Yama just to get you a ring," I said. "...It's all the rings' fault," I mumbled under my breath.

"What ring?"

My heart dropped to my stomach. "The Bound. If I hadn't taken it, our paths would've never crossed," I said, diverting the topic away.

"No, not that ring. What about the ring from Mt. Yama?"

I bit my lower lip and sighed. "You see... the reason I was there was not because I wanted to travel the Dark Empire or anything... I wanted to give you a ring."

"Then where is it now? I didn't receive anything."

"That's because I wanted to give it to you in the right mo—" I sighed. "Never mind, let's go home for a second." I cleared my throat. "I'll give it to you..."

Payne didn't say another word. He removed his Bound and placed it on the table. He took my hand, and before I could even blink, the surroundings changed. We were in my room with the both of us sitting on my bed.

"Have you seen the luggage when we went to the Underground Lair?"

"Lou already took care of it. It's probably already in the closet."

"I pocketed it in one of my trousers..." I said while rummaging in my closet. My hand felt a bump in one of the pants. I quickly made my way into one of its pockets, and I sighed in relief when the ring showed. "Found it," I whispered, gripping the ring tightly.

I sat next to Payne and asked him to lend his hand. He lent his left hand with such excitement that I couldn't help but chuckle. I froze, worried that the ring wouldn't fit his finger because I'd never actually measured it.