The Prince's Gift

Chapter 50.

That evening and through the next two days, we spent more time trying to hone my skills, each of our party helping me to become stronger as I slowly began to no longer need others' energies at all. I had the strength to draw it out without touch if I needed it, but so far, I'd been sustaining every time on my own.

Each night, Ehren had lied beside me in my bed and we would spend the time enjoying the moment we'd both unknowingly been waiting so long for. I began to let him know more of me as he did the same. We'd become closer than I could have imagined In such a short amount of time, and I'd finally allowed my heart to truly open to him as his had been for me.

He'd told me of how he'd come to work for Maddox through his father Erik, who had been responsible for the death of Fallon's father. He knew he couldn't serve under Zane and his parents, and so his father had seen fit to ensure his position before he died. He'd been sworn to Maddox in an agreement among the two kings. Had he left, Maddox had the right to kill him, or do with him as he pleased, whether that be to sell him as a slave or torture him. Much like me, he'd not known true freedom in quite a long time.

As I made my way back to my room after dinner, Ehren followed me inside as he had each night, shutting the door softly behind me. "It's going to be ok." He said, sensing my worry.

It had been three days since I'd delivered the warning to Zane. Tomorrow, we would leave to prepare for the battle and our group would have to rejoin the rest of the Talentati people to get into place for the war before it began. The plan was to meet outside of the cave, allowing us to be surrounded and protected by its energy as Delphine worked to expand the enchantment. Then we'd wait. Once the battle began, we'd surprise the yearlings and those guiding them to help to eradicate them before aiding in the larger battle surrounding the vampires and the royal family, the ultimate goal being to take Maddox and his group out once and for all.

Ehren moved smoothly, walking up to stand behind me before brushing his hand up my back. His thumb rubbed gently against my skin and I felt my worry lessen just slightly at his touch.

"I know you're concerned about the battle, and about those you care about, but you have to trust in your vision. Ana, you've seen it. You and Delphine both saw that the war would be won in the end."

I let out a tight breath as the tension returned to my shoulders, my body becoming rigid once more. "It's the end that worries me most." I whispered.

Ehren's hand brushed my hair away from my neck, pushing it to the side as he leaned forward to place a feather light kiss on my shoulder.

"Talk to me Ana." He said softly, his deep voice soothing me as his arm wrapped around my waist before pulling me back against his firm chest.

I took in a deep breath as I let myself melt into him, clinging to his touch as I laid my own hand over his resting against my waist. "Ehren, I'm afraid of dying." I said, the words thick as I spoke.

I felt his grip tighten against me slightly as he straightened behind me. "We're not going to let that happen." he said quietly, his voice becoming serious.

"You can't stop it." I took a calming breath as I felt my heart twisting painfully in my chest. "Ehren, at the end, I saw only darkness. I've tried over and over again, but it always ends the same." I felt him freeze as he worked to restrain himself from gripping too harshly into me. "Each time, you and Zane become injured, and I am dealt a fatal blow. And then nothing."