The Prince's Gift

Chapter 48.

Warmth. Comforting warmth surrounded me as I felt myself pulling from the darkness of sleep. Thankfully, I'd been so exhausted that no dreams had found me, but it was not quite restful nonetheless. I felt myself pressed against a solid form as I shifted drowsily.

My eyes fluttered open to see the orange glow of a flickering fire in front of the bed, burning lowly as the room filled with warmth and light. I let out a contented sigh as I began to become more alert.

"Did you sleep well?"

I froze, suddenly realizing fully that the form next to me was Ehren. I pulled back slightly so that I could look up at him, his electric blue gaze staring down drowsily into my own.

"Oh...yes. I'm sorry. I must have been so out of it I forgot where I was for a moment." I said as I tried to grasp my surroundings better.

He rolled over so that he was facing me in his side, his arm remaining tucked under my head as I looked back at him. He waited patiently, giving me the much needed time to speak.

I took a breath and let myself relax back against his arm, my eyes fluttering down as I recalled the memory. "I...sent myself to him. To Zane." I said quietly.

He stilled, his eyes widening as I looked up to meet his gaze. "You what? How?"

I shook my head slowly. "I don't know. I just felt so much energy from yesterday that I felt confident that I could do more. So I allowed myself to have the vision, but once I was there...it was like I could pus myself further and further outside of myself until he knew I was there. He sensed me before I appeared, and then I was standing right in front of him."

Ehren exhaled, a muscle in his jaw clenching, but he kept his expression neutral. "And?" He said evenly.

"I warned him." I said slowly. "I needed to tell him what I'd seen, and who was responsible. I needed him to know that we'd be there to help, and when." I let out a shaky breath as I reached over to place my hand against his chest. "More than anything, I needed to finally say goodbye. To release him to his path...once and for all."

Ehren's expression softened as he peered back at me, as if a weight he hadn't realized was there was now lifting. "Are you are you're ready for that?" He asked quietly, his hand rising to take hold of mine as his fingers traced patterns against the top of my hand.

I nodded slowly, leaning up on my elbow so that I was looking down at him. "I am. If you're willing to be patient with me." I said with a short exhale. I had to try. It was time.

Ehren smiled, reaching up to run his hand through my hair and pushing it away from my face. "I'm willing to do whatever you would like Ana. I'll wait as long you need me to." His voice was low as he spoke, restrained, but I could feel his body tensing. I could feel him itching to embrace me.

I gave in to my surroundings, letting my body guide me solely on instinct. I slowly leaned forward, my lips hovering just above his as he looked up into my eyes. His piercing blue stare captured me, holding me still in this moment.

"Ana." He whispered.

I felt something inside of me click, and then I let gravity take me. My mouth met his in a soft kiss, filled with sadness and yet it was slowly shifting, changing. It began to deepen, Ehren's hand running through my hair as he pulled me further into the moment. My heart sped up in my chest, my breathing increasing as I felt more emotion being pushed through the kiss with each second.