Page 18 of Rising Out of the Darkness (Divine Guardians Duology #1)

Elena

S oft melodies of chirping birds awoke me.

The sun’s rays broke through the canopy of trees in the forest, cascading over my face through the open crack of the tent.

Grasping for this peaceful moment, I raised my head up, eyes closed, and let my body melt into its warmth.

Soothing, beautiful sunshine. It was like a hug, and my heart twinged at the thought of my father.

What I wouldn’t give for his guidance right now.

Gods, please send me strength.

A twig snapped beneath boots outside the tent, and I leaned forward to see Killian open the tent wide.

“Well, good morning, sunshine,” he said with a smile as he tugged me forward onto my feet.

Trying to erase the wince that slipped, I turned around to gather up my sleep sack to avoid Killian seeing the tears beginning to roll down my face.

He twisted me around. “Elena, are you okay? I know last night was a little …”

“I’m fine.” I sniffled.

His lips pinched into a thin line as his gaze dropped to his shuffling feet.

“I’m sorry.” I sighed. “It’s just… my father calls me that name.”

Not only did I not want to be reminded about last night, but hearing the term of endearment Father used for me was even worse. Drawing in a deep breath, I tried my best to regain my composure.

“Hells. I’m so sorry, Elena. I hadn’t realized.”

“It’s alright, how would have you known?”

We worked together, taking down the tent, before making our way back towards the rest of the group. As we strolled towards the horses, I patted his shoulder, a quiet reassurance that I was okay. Perhaps it was to reassure myself as well.

Once again, I was the last to pack up, so I quickened my pace. I didn’t need to give the prince another reason to repeat last night’s events. One splash in the frozen lake was enough for me.

He was regally perched on top of his large black stallion. His lips pursed into a line as he clenched the reins. Keeping my head down, I began putting my belongings into his saddlebag.

Killian reached out pressed my arms down, shaking his head. With a tilt of his head, he silently ushered me back towards his horse. Declan’s horse chuffed and he snapped the reins and led his horse away.

Not once did he acknowledge my presence, not even a single glance back as he galloped towards the front of the group. This seemed to have become a trend with the men in my life recently.

After helping me onto the horse, Killian attached my bag to his saddlebag as the uncomfortable sting of rejection crept over me. That same unworthy feeling that I’d had three days ago when Will galloped away.

My anger turned inward. I was frustrated with myself for spending even a fraction of time worrying over the opinion of the unhinged prince in front of me.

He obviously wanted nothing to do with me, and I was nothing but a nuisance to him.

Yet here I was thinking about him in another light, the one that had me at odds with myself.

The version of him where he smiled so bright that dimples formed on his cheeks, where his firm lips turned up into a smirk whenever I challenged him, where he found a way to calm me when my own worries or dynamis threatened to consume me.

My heart pounded against my chest, and I combed my fingers through my loose hair as I tried to lull myself out of the tangled cobwebs of my intrusive thoughts, like Declan had done for me all last night.

Killian climbed up behind me and nudged the beautiful ash-colored mare beneath us into a gallop. Once we caught up to the rest of the group, we fell into a trot alongside everyone else. I sat in silence braiding my hair and hoped it would prove to be an effective distraction.

Both of my guards chatted behind me. I faded in and out of their conversation, smiling here and there whenever they would laugh.

I didn’t know what was wrong with me, but I just couldn’t seem to shake off the melancholy mood I was in.

The conversation finally faded out behind me, and silence washed over us for what seemed like hours.

Finally breaking the silence, Killian passed me the waterskin and a handful of jerky. “What’s going on in that fiery head of yours, Elena?” he said, gently nudging my elbow, patiently waiting my response.

Liam flashed a not-so-subtle look of concern to Killian as he tied back his long black hair into a messy low bun with a leather strap.

In truth, I really didn’t know how to answer his question, because I couldn’t even understand what I was feeling.

A shrug of my shoulders was all I had the energy for.

“He really does feel awful about last night.”

“Mmhmm.”

“That’s the reason he didn’t want you riding with him today. He felt that you both needed some…space.”

“Hmm,” I grumbled.

Anger reared its ugly head as I caught the two of them quietly shaking with mirth.

Without warning, it crawled out of me to take over the conversation.

“You both could have tried to stop what happened last night.” My words came out a little more harshly than I’d intended.

I tried to speak a little softer. “I mean, it seems like you three have known each other for a long time. Has he always been like this?”

Their gazes flickered between each other. The skin between my brows scrunched with concern. What made this question so difficult to answer? It was as if they were silently deciding what they could or could not tell me. Curious.

“Yes, this is true, we’ve all known each other for quite a while, little lady. I consider us to be as close as brothers,” Liam said with a soft smile.

“Liam joined the guard first,” Killian said from behind me. “His parents had been friends of the queen’s for a long time, so he and Declan knew each other beforehand. I, on the other hand, was the outsider. Had to prove myself worthy to be accepted into their little man clan.”

Liam snorted underneath his breath, silently repeating the words “man clan,” before chuckling some more.

“What did you have to do to ‘prove’ yourself to them? As far as I can tell, the prince has very high standards for everyone, except himself.” I mumbled the last part. “You must have done something pretty impressive.”

Killian returned a weak smile, and I got the feeling that the story might be one he didn’t want to elaborate on. A wave of sadness flowed into me, strong enough for me to know I had pulled the emotion from him. “Nothing big, really.”

Liam scoffed. “I think that saving the crown prince’s life was a big deal, Killian.”

The leaked confession made my eyes widen. Another breeze of sadness flooded into me once more. Puzzled, I gently pushed the emotion out, and a gust of wind tousled Killian’s floppy blond waves.

“Really, it was no big deal. I was just there to help a friend when he needed it most.” Killian cleared his throat, signaling the end of that conversation.

Liam nodded at Killian with a silent affirmation.

This time, a warm wind of pride seeped through me.

Whatever Killian had done for the prince, he had more than proven himself to the two men he called friends.

Even not knowing the whole story, I was beginning to understand just how kind and compassionate Killian really was.

So, how was it that men like Liam and Killian attached themselves to the Prince of Darkness?

Perhaps there was far more to Declan than I’d ever understand. The man continued to be an enigma.

“Well, I’m thankful that he has the both of you to balance him out. I fear without you both, he would be eternally grumpy.”

As they both chuckled behind me, I felt my frown melt into a smile. After a few silent moments, my courage rose. I wanted to ask about my impending doom, the capital city. Every day we inched closer, and now we were only three days away. “So, what exactly should I expect when we reach the castle?”

They shuffled a bit on their saddles, and it appeared this was another question they weren’t too thrilled to discuss.

“Little lady, the king and Lord Alastor are temperamental like the prince.” He winced. “However, they are far more ruthless. Their anger knows no bounds, and they will not take kindly to being challenged. They are dangerous men, Elena.”

His eyebrow rose as he looked over towards me. I took it as a silent warning for me to rein in outbursts like the ones they’d witnessed yesterday. Note to self, no more throwing utensils.

If Declan was the least ruthless out of the three men, it made me wonder what their wrath entailed. A shiver ran over my body at the thought.

“Cold?” Killian asked.

“No, just mildly terrified.” I swallowed down the burn of bile rising in my throat. Killian rubbed his palm up and down on my arm.

“Don’t worry, little lady, we will be with you making sure you are safe at all times,” Liam boasted beside us.

“Also, something tells me the prince would kill anyone who tried to lay a hand on you.” He chuckled.

“Trust me, you’ll be well protected, Elena.

” They both snickered, like they shared some kind of inside joke.

“What’s that supposed to mean? What’s so funny?” Turning in the saddle, I set a hard gaze on both with my hands on my hips.

“Oh…nothing at all, Elena.” Killian laughed. “Just trust us when we say that the prince will have eyes on you. He’ll make sure that no harm will happen to you during your stay with us.”

“Hmm, unless that harm is from him,” I grumbled under my breath.

“You can’t stay mad at him for too long, especially when you have a part in this as well. My lady, you are just as temperamental as he is. In fact, it was you who instigated what happened last night.”

I whipped around towards Killian. “I most certainly did not?—!”