The Prince's Gift

Chapter 47.

Zane's brows pulled into a scowl as his eyes widened in shock. "No. No the witch said you'd be safe if I let you leave with her. How could that have changed?" His hand dropped as he stood tall, looking down at me in disbelief as his lip curled back over his fangs. "How could her vision change? Ana, I have caused so much pain...for nothing. War is coming anyway, and you say you won't survive it. What the fuck was it all for then?" His voice was dropping to a growl, his weight shifting as he seemed to want to pace.

"I don't know. Truly. All I know is I don't see past a certain point, which usually indicates the seer has died. But I do see victory in wake of the pain." I said quietly, trying to sooth him.

"Oh good. Well isn't that perfect then." He snarled, raking a hand roughly through his hair. "This was all for nothing. I should have told them all to go fuck themselves and mated you anyway. What was the point Ana?" Tension was rolling off him in waves as his words flew from his mouth.

I stepped forward, my hand floating up to press against his strong arm as his muscle cooled beneath it. He stilled, but I could still see that his mind was spinning. "I'd have never learned the things I was capable of about my own gift, or my people. And your kingdom would not have survived. You have to hold onto that thought. That alone is worth it."

He scoffed as his hand wrapped securely around my hip. "But it's all meaningless without you."

I felt that pang in my chest ache as I stilled, realizing I was on borrowed time. "You seem to be handling it just fine." I said, letting my eyes glance to the door as that ache of jealousy got the better of me for just a moment.

His eyes widened and I instantly sighed, pinching my eyes tight to try and regain my composure as I pressed my hand harder against his skin. "I shouldn't have said that. I knew this was your path long ago. I've seen you fighting it, but we both knew you could only fight the bond for so long. You had to do what's best for your people. I know that. I'm sorry Zane." I said quickly.

His hand tightened around my hip possessivy, his fingers tugging at my chin until my eyes opened. "Tonight was the first time I was able to let her in my bed Ana. And I felt sick about it, but if she doesn't carry an heir, then there was no point in our union in the first place. I wished it were you more than anyone standing beside me, but it can't be. I hated myself for it, but she and I both know our duty comes ahead of anything else. I couldn't just kick her out." His expression was pained and his eyes held the conflict plaguing him inside.

"I know Zane. I shouldn't have said anything. This is your life now That's your future." I let out a breath as I gazed back at his now sad expression with my own matching his. "I know that."

"He leaned forward, pressing his forehead against mine as he breathed in my scent, a shaky breath leaving his lungs as he exhaled . "Where are you Ana? I'll bring you home. I'll come and get you right now if you want."

I shook my head in a small motion, my hands reaching to each rest on the sides of his face. "You can't Zane. I'm no longer yours to take and you're no longer mine to find. I will not come again after this." I said in a broken whisper. "Not until the battle. I have to say goodbye Zane. I have to finally let you go once and for all."

A low growl rumbled through him as his eyes dropped to my neck, where his mark had been placed what seemed like ages ago. All that remained now was the broken,  jagged scars from Maddox's assault on me. No beautiful silver crescents from Zane's loving mark on my body. All was gone from him. Nothing remained. Only memories.

"Ana, please..." His voice was broken, ragged as he spoke quietly.

Another lone tear dropped down my cheek as I took in a final calming breath, stroking my fingers against his jaw as we stood still, trying to hold on to our last seconds together. "Zane, please be prepared. Don't let him get ahead, or it will be the end for all of us."

His eyes widened as his shoulders straightened. "Us?"

"The Talentati will join you. We will help." I said quickly, feeling myself beginning to fade away.

"Ana don't go. Wait..." he said hurriedly.

My eyes snapped to meet his as a flash of sadness crossed his gaze. "I love you Zane. Be ready in four days."

"Four days? But..."

"Goodbye Zane." I whispered as more tears dropped down my face.

I felt the dark veil beginning to shroud my vision once more as the words I love you floated through the veil behind me before I was surrounded by darkness completely. Slowly, the feeling of my soft bed beneath my began to bring me back down to myself, rejoining my spirit with my body once again.

I let out a breath as my eyes slowly opened, filled with hot stinging tears as my bedroom became clear.

"Ana!" I heard Ehren's familiar deep timber speak loudly as I felt his weight dip the bed. I looked over to see him now sitting beside me on the bed, facing me as his electric blue gaze bored into mine. "What happened?? Wasn't a vision? I couldn't get through to you. It's like you weren't even here."

I could hear the strain in his voice, the way each word tightened in his throat as he watched me cautiously. Suddenly, the dam broke and sobs began to wrack my body. He was closer to me in an instant, his arms wrapping around me as he pulled me into a comforting hold. My hands cling to his shirt as my body pressed against him, my face burrowing into his chest as I cried.

His hand gently stroked my hair as he kissed the top of my head, shushing me as if I was a small child he was consoling. I felt so small, so weak in this moment.

"It's ok. It's going to be ok Ana." He said soothingly, his deep voice rumbling through his chest and sending a shock of comfort through my body.

I felt myself relaxing into him as he held me, stroking my back gently as he reassured me. after a while, he moved to pull away, sensing I no longer needed him, but my hand wrapped around his as it drug off the bed. He froze, turning back to look at me as he sat back down on the bed.

"Please. Don't leave me alone right now." I said, my voice pleading as I felt more tears begin to fill my eyes. I blinked them back, trying to hold on to the small amount of composure I'd regained. "I just, need someone with me tonight."

He nodded without question and moved onto the bed, settling back against the pillows and holding his arm out for me. I curled my body up to his, wrapping myself into him as I placed my face  against his chiseled chest. Two strong arms wrapped around me so delicately that it was as if he felt I would break.

In this moment, I couldn't disagree with him. Images of Lilith lying naked in bed next to Zane haunted my mind, but I shoved them away. I knew this was coming. I knew it was his path. And now I'd gotten to not only warn him, but say goodbye. I finally felt that last piece holding us together click away. I pulled myself closer to Ehren, leaving no room between us as I let the last remaining silent tears fall as Ehren soothed me. Thankfully, with him beside me, it did not take long for the heavy pull of sleep to finally take me into a hard dreamless sleep.

Goodbye Zane.