Shattered Heart (Red Queen)

Chapter Sixteen

•Mare POV•
Days have passed by, but they have all been haunted with Maven. I'll never forget what he did to me. His wounds cut deep and they will never heal. Every shadow I see makes me jump and fear for my life. I find myself constantly looking over my shoulder, expecting Maven to take me back at any second.
Cal tries to help, but he only reminds me of Maven. He is nothing like him, but the same blood runs in his veins. I'll never be the Mare I used to be. She died a long time ago, and I'm afraid I'll join her.
    "Mare," Cal says and puts a hand on my shoulder.
     I try not to tear away from his touch and hope he doesn't notice. Unfortunately, he does and sighs.
     "I'm sorry. I keep forgetting that-" he apologizes and I interrupt.
      "No, it's my fault," I respond.
     He takes my face in his and and gently presses a kiss to my lips. "It's his fault. He did this and I'm not going to let him take you away from me. We'll get through this together."
     My heart hurts for him. I love him more than words can express. He doesn't know what it's like though. Maven still has a hold on me.
     "Cal, we have to focus on the war. Don't worry about me or-"
     "I'm going to worry about you because I love you. I swear to you that nothing bad will happen to you ever again. I will protect you with my life. And for that reason, I must ask you something," he says and gets down on one knee. "Will you marry me?"
     "Yes, of course," I say without hesitating. It was as easy as breathing to say yes to him.
     He takes the ring out of its box and slides it on my finger. He picks me up in his strong arms and kisses me. "I love you," he whispers to me.
     "I love you too," I respond. "Let's hope Shade doesn't interrupt this moment too," I joke.
     He laughs and says, "He might kill me though when we tell him about our engagement."
     "I won't let him," I say and laugh.
     "Let's go tell everyone the news," he says and takes my hand.