Dancing With The Devil

Swords And Battlefields

Previously on Dancing With The Devil

"Oh my god," Michael shouted as he kneeled down beside me, "stay with me," he whispered shaking my head, "please don't do this."

"I can't brea-" I panted heavily, wincing from the burning pain.

He kicked at the metal, enough to pull out the blade. "You're gonna be okay," he whispered as I lay there staring at him, "everything's gonna be okay. I promise."

He said something but I couldn't make it out. I looked at him as my eyes slowly shut, when I felt someone's lips crawl against my skin. Suddenly, all I felt was blackness fading in.

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Fine," I heard someone whine against my hand, "be that way, ignore me."

Somehow, I couldn't get my eyes to open. I felt like someone drained the life out of me. I didn't want to open my eyes, I didn't want to jump back into reality. And I definitely don't want to feel that pain ever again. So I just kept my eyes shut.

"But in the meantime," he sighed sadly gently taking my hand, "there's something I want you to know."

"You are a terrible friend. You know that? Do you have any idea what I'd have to go through if you died today? Huh?"

"Just because we don't talk doesn't mean I don't think about you," he whispered, his touch against my skin, "I'm just trying to distance myself because I know I can't have you. And I can't think of a worse way to die than by your side. I'll always be the bad guy, but when I'm with you, even my demons dress up for dinner and behave."

"You made me a better person," he continued with sadness buried deep in his voice, "you made me realize that there's so much more to life than just living in the dark. And I know that I'm just talking to myself but just in case you hear this one day. I want you to know, that my mom didn't die because I wanted to live. She didn't die because I was too selfish about me living my life, I didn't throw her into that pit. She went in. Because we both agreed to that."

I felt my heart beat ten times faster as he continued talking.

"Our powers are connected, our lives are joined together," he sighed taking a deep breath, "so if I was the one who died in that pit ten years ago, then you wouldn't be here now. Neither would I. And I didn't want that, I wanted you to get the life you've always wanted. And fall in love with the perfect guy."

"And when mom told me about that path, I felt like I have a chance. I admire you, and you deserve to know that. I love you, Hailey," he whispered.

"You. It will always be you. Don't you get that? If I had the choice between you and a million things I've always wanted, I'd choose you every single time."

"I love you," he breathed out.

Unexpectedly, his hand drifted to my hip. I was warm against his chest, chiseled to perfection. "Just in case there is no later," he inhaled sharply and slowly pressed his lips against mine. My other hand was shaking slightly, my mind was repeating the same sentence over and over, "Don't do this.. don't do this." But the sound of my heart was beating so loudly I couldn't think of a worse way to feel guilty. In that moment, in his love, I was strong. One kiss was all I needed.

I slowly opened my eyes and found his shimmering emerald eyes looking straight into mine, as I slowly sat up.

"Y-you're," he stuttered, "thank god," Alex smiled and hugged me tightly.