The Enchanting Rapture (#1)

Chapter 29

Soren

     "What about your brothers, Soren? Am I correct when I assume they won't just let us kill their father?" Inferno calmly questioned, though he noticed the way her hands were tightly intertwined with each other. 

     Soren nodded at her question. "You must wait until he is alone with you," he instructed with as much of a level head as he could muster up. The only reason he was not a complete mess was that it would cause Annika further stress.

     "And when we manage to capture him," Annika voiced, "will they fight us then?"

     Soren thought about it. "I am not sure. It has been years since I have spoken with them. Last time, they hated Zyhed as much as I did." 

      "Well, isn't that reassuring!" Inferno exclaimed, putting herself further on edge. 

     "Nightfall is beginning," Rouhem announced. His eyes were exhausted with stress, and a fury that Soren dare not question. 

     "Well, I'd say we're ready, but yeah..." Even Inferno fail to conjure up her notorious sharp humor.

     "Meet back in five," Rouhem commanded before storming off. Soren noticed the scowl etched into Inferno's features. Whatever their problem was, they had better fix it before it was too late.

     Annika took Soren's hand and took them to a more private area. He immediately held her close when she embraced him in a fierce hug. His heart beat heavily. No one held him like then, with tenderness and care. It made him feel alive in the best way.

     Instead of running away screaming, she ran straight into his heart. Soren nearly chuckled when he realized how he failed to resist her in the slightest. He never had a chance against those storm blue eyes. 

     Her cheek lay against the center of his chest. "I just realized how terrified I am." Her breath trembled. He wished to take that fear from her, spare her from it's murky claws.

     Soren began to brush his hand over her locks while his other held her close. "Do not be afraid of a coward. He is nothing, and you are everything. He is darkness and you are light, and in the end, you will always win, no matter what."

     She looked up, and gratitude shown in her gaze. "You know, I couldn't do this without you."

     He frowned. "Don't do that."

     Her eyes widened with curiosity. "Do what?"

     "Credit me for your work. Since the beginning, it was you who initiated all of this. And if I was not present, you would still be just as successful."

     "Maybe not as successful," she argued before rising up to have their lips connected. Soren held nothing back. He tasted her, taking as much as she would give and she gave everything.

     She would leave, and be on her own. It scared Soren to death.

     He had found a swan with a broken wing, and would like to credit himself for her healing, but it would be false. She mended herself, he only protected her to his best ability. In many ways, it was Annika who fixed Soren. 

     Annika gave the killing machine his first ever heart, and he hoped to all that was good above that it stayed.

     And so he kissed his queen with a passion that scorched the both of them, leaving the two souls breathless and wanting more. 

     "Siren, I..." She pulled back to look into his gaze. Soren could barely stand her beauty without turning into an awestruck fool. "Thank you for everything, thank you for taking care of me without question. Thank you for being mine, and you are mine. You've come to mean so much to me, Soren I-"