The Prince's Gift

Chapter 69.

Ana's POV

My stomach twisted tightly as I walked away from Ehren. I knew the pain he was in. I'd felt it the moment he turned to face me. But the moment his lips met mine, it was like the floodgates had opened and every ounce of emotion he'd been holding in secret crashed into me, blinding my senses for just enough time that I lost myself in them. I forgot where I was and allowed myself to feel them fully, to drown in them and I didn't want to come up for air.

The second I heard Braelyn's small gasp, the real world forced its way back in, shoving between us and bringing me back to the world around us. The one where I didn't know how to truly be his, or to make him mine.

Now it was time to settle in for the long wait. Braelyn brought me to a small suite off of the hospital wing where she'd begun to set up for the night. She'd brought preparations from Delphine, including some potions and a note that the rest would join us soon. I'd need as much help as they could give and energy to stay in constant communication with them. Thankfully, it was easier to communicate with Zane since we had a blood bond, but it would still be draining the longer the night went on.

Braelyn left to gather more supplies before the others began to arrive. We still had half the day, but I knew my parents and Delphine wouldn't leave me on my own for long. They knew this would be hard for me.

I took a moment to center myself, sitting down on one of the large floor pillows as I focused my thoughts. I had to see the options. I needed to know how this would go. It was time to use my gifts to our advantage. I searched the possible paths, looking for anything that could go wrong or could be avoided.

Each time, someone was injured, and Zane and Ehren each had close calls, but they still made it home alive. At this point that would have to be enough. Over the next few hours, my parents and Delphine joined me, and then a few more Talentati who couldn't join the search party walked in to the candlelit room, settling in for the long hours ahead.

"Ana, would you meet me? I'm just down the hallway." Zane's voice said clearly through my mind.

I stepped out of the room and walked down the hall and around the corner to see Zane standing with his back leaned against the wall. He straightened and faced me as I stopped short to look up at him.

He stared down at me with his pale blue stare cutting right into me. It was like I became completely exposed when he looked at me.

"If it helps, I've seen success tonight. But Zane, you have to be careful. You and Ehren both nearly took fatal injuries in some visions, but you came home every time." I said, hurrying through my words.

He hummed a response as he ran a hand down his face. I stepped closer, placing my hand on his forearm and pulling his arm down to force him to look back at me.

"Zane I mean it. Please be careful." I pleaded quietly.

He gave me a quick smile and straightened, letting his arm drop, and with it, my hand fell away as well.

"Ana, I know this night is going to be difficult for you. No one should have to endure what you have from everyone, but especially from Maddox, but I promise to try and end this as quickly as I can." His tone was more formal than usual, but I could sense his pain. He was holding back his mind and his emotions from me.

I nodded and stayed still, trying to maintain the space between us that he clearly was struggling to hold as well. "Thank you Zane, but I'll be ok. I just want this all to be over."

I let out a slow breath and then a thought slipped through his mind. I froze, only seeing it for a moment, but I'd caught just enough to see he was thinking through our future after when he returned. He was considering multiple avenues to try and keep his promise to me and it shook me to see the extent he was considering going to.