Unexpected: Forever His (Book 1)

Chapter 43: Enemies, Friends, and Lovers Bound

My nerves were on edge because Greta seemed to think it was a good idea to keep Dante near. As long as she was around, he could see, and his eyes had not left me the entire time since I had entered the dining hall. "Father, you deserve the best, most elite warriors to lead your army." I glanced behind me at Dante. "I felt his weaknesses and tasted his fears."

Greta laughed softly as she stepped around me. "Oh, Donovan, really. Garron is easily replaced." Donovan glared at her. "Ah, yes. Maybe we should replace him with your lover." I stepped back quickly as Greta spun around to face Donovan. I blinked and shot a glare towards Dante. He smirked and finally turned his attention to Greta. "Jealousy never has suited you, Donovan. I'm with you because there is no other choice, but if I could choose. I would choose the excitement that Dante gives me."

Donovan shook his head and grabbed Greta by her shoulders. "Dante...Isaac...Garron...the list goes on with you. If there was any other way, believe me when I say, I would choose it too!" He pushed her back and Dante caught her, but Donovan's eyes glowed brilliantly and I heard Greta scream as she fell to the floor on her knees.

All at once, the insurgency inside of me pushed me forward and I pulled Donovan's sword from its sheath and plunged it deep inside Greta's chest. Her eyes instantly turned black and I pushed her back as I looked up at Dante's once again clouded eyes. I felt no pity as I lifted the blade as it dripped with her blood and held the tip against his chest over his heart. "If you think I would think twice about ripping your heart out of your chest, you should think again." I turned and held the sword towards Donovan. "I came here for one purpose, and one purpose only. I will seek to rip apart your kingdom if I do not have Aeron returned to my arms."

Donovan glanced down at Greta's lifeless body and blinked before he looked up at Dante. "And so it will be done. But when you leave, you take him with you. Or I will make certain you never see your son again."

I glanced back at Dante. "A part of my heart that I cannot leave. But 

make no mistake, you were right about one thing." I stepped over to Dante and lifted his hand to mine. "I am forever changed." Dante tensed with my touch, but I ignored it and spoke to him. "You said we could never go back, and you were right. Nor do I wish to. But for Aeron, I will sacrifice. For him alone."

And moments later, with Aeron in my arms, and Donovan watching, we exited the Shadowlands and entered back into a world that would never be the same.

*****Dante's POV*****

I ran my hand over the smooth surface of the wall as I made my way down the hall and to my office. As if I could call it that as of lately. Noveah had taken over most of the necessities and I was just there for advice often. Weeks later, I was still without my vision.

I took another step and bumped into the same table that I bumped into every time I traversed the hallway. I cursed under my breath and put my hand out to move around the table, but someone's hand on my arm caught my attention.

"Hello, father."

I smiled. "Kathiana." She smelled different than I remembered. I lifted my hand to hers. "You're expecting?" I felt her smile. "Yes. Alexander doesn't know yet." She sighed. "I miss him so much. Eleric won't let him visit as often as I would like." She wrapped her arm around mine and started to walk with me. "Father, what happened while you were gone to get Aeron back?" I furrowed my eyebrows. "What do you mean, Kathi?"

"Everyone knows what happened to your sight, but what we do not understand is why we have only seen Kayla very rarely, and then it is usually on the balcony. The balcony that is not your room."