Shattered Heart (Red Queen)

Chapter Fourteen

•Cal POV•
     My heart pounds with fear and I don't dare to breathe. Mare looks into my eyes and pleads for me to save her. I will not let her go back to Maven.
     "Maven, stop this," I beg and put out the wall of fire in front of me.
     "She is mine!" he roars and fire bursts from his hands.
     Mare screams in pain as the fire burns her. Fire dances in my hands threateningly. I don't want to do this, but I may have to kill Maven.
     Mare closes her eyes and the sky above us darkens. A bolt of lightning streaks down and almost hits Maven. He threw himself out of he way before it did. But he let go of Mare and she runs over to me. Another bolt of lightning comes down and hits Maven this time. It doesn't kill him, but it does daze him.
     I take her hand and say, "Let's get out of here."
     "I can't leave him alive," she says and looks away. 
     "Yes you can. Mare, he's my brother. He has done terrible things, but I can't watch him die. Not now, at least," I try to convince her.
     She doesn't budge and the sky lights up with purple and white lightning. She's going to kill him, but I don't want her to. I'm not ready to let him go yet. Suddenly, Shade teleports to our side and grabs Mare.
     "Perfect timing," I say with a sigh.
     He takes my arm and teleports us both away from Maven. We land in one of the jets we brought and take off.
     Before I can even turn to Mare, Shade already has her wrapped in a hug. They are both crying, but they are tears of joy. I've never seen either of them smile so much. I grin as well and interrupt their little moment. I hug Mare and she shifts to face me, sandwiched between Shade and I.
     "You're safe," I whisper and look into her eyes.
      "I am now that I have you," she responds.
     I kiss her slowly and forget where we are. I run my hands through her hair and bring her closer to me. She suddenly loses her balance and falls into me. I catch her and can't help but laugh. Her cheeks flush red and I kiss her again.
     "I love you," I say finally.
     She looks taken aback at first, but smiles and says, "I love you too.
     It feels like the walls have finally come tumbling down. Mare is mine now. She loves me and I love her. I have her back, and that's all that matters.
     "I've been waiting so long to say that," I admit.
     "That's fantastic," Shade interjects sarcastically, "but I would prefer if you didn't make out with my little sister in front of me."
     "Shut up," she says and punches him in the arm. He grins playfully and hugs her, afraid to let her go.
     "I... can't... breathe..." she says and laughs when he finally lets her go.
      "Sorry," he says and shrugs.
     "Shade, I'm not going anywhere. I'm back," she says and puts a hand on his shoulder.
     Mare is back, and I'm not planning on letting her go anytime soon. Maven won't take her from me again.