Page 22 of Rising Out of the Darkness (Divine Guardians Duology #1)

Elena

T he high-pitched whinny awoke me from my slumber. Drowsiness still hung on my eyelids, but I forced them open with a sweep of my fingertips.

The clang of chains and the heaviness of my wrists made my breath hitch. My gaze fell to the iron shackles wrapped around my wrists, and a mix of emotions I invaded my mind.

Shame over the way I’d lost control of my dynamis. Guilt that I could really hurt others during the chaos. Terror that these chains might never leave my wrists again.

“Lena…” Declan whispered as he turned my chin to face his. His face crinkled with concern as my lips rolled in on themselves. Even caged within my teeth, they still trembled. “Let me see your wrists.”

Extending my hands towards his, I closed my eyes to keep the sadness held within. I heard the click of the lock and felt the heaviness being lifted away from my wrists.

“Thank you,” I breathed, opening my eyes just as he shoved the iron shackles into his satchel.

A tear slipped free, and my hand shot up to capture it.

Declan’s steady hand covered my own and lowered it into my lap.

With his other hand, his thumb swiped away the tears that had escaped against my will.

Heat warmed my cheeks as his knuckle brushed against the edge of my jaw before he rested his hand back on his thigh. He cleared his throat. “You drained a lot of your dynamis. Anymore would have been dangerous, so I put these on.”

“I understand, it’s okay.” I turned around to face forward. He stopped me with his palm as I gathered the courage to meet his eyes again.

“I’m sorry. I should have taught you how to ward after you used your dynamis the first time.” His gaze fell from me as he ran a palm through his already mussed hair. “You passed out, and I wanted to make sure you were protected in case you woke up in a panic.”

“Passed out?”

“You’ve been asleep since you fainted, then the entirety of the next day, Lena.”

“An entire day?” I exclaimed, as the beats of my heart raced alongside my breaths.

Declan nodded solemnly. “Fortunately, we’re very close now to Pinepeak.” He nodded to the horizon behind me, and I followed his line of sight. Sure enough, the town was only a few paces away.

I awaited his orders for me to pull up my hood, awaited him to reach out and glamour my dynamis tattoo. None of that came.

As we entered the gates of the city, my eyes widened at the sight.

Smooth gray stone paved the walkways, and buildings appeared to also be made with sturdy stone and other materials that didn’t look inches away from blowing away with the wind.

However, it only took one glance into the eyes of the Elysians as we passed to see the king’s toll still weighed heavily here.

Beggars held out bowls for food or slept in alleyways. Clothes were tattered, and carts of food for sale were only half full.

Our horses paraded down the main street and allowed me to observe just how different the looks we received here were.

Some eyes narrowed or fell to the ground as we passed, while other people gave smiles or nods like they were almost happy to see the Royal Guards.

The entire interaction left me even more puzzled than I was before.

Laughter and lively music spilled out of the well-lit building ahead of us. The closer we inched toward it, the more intrigued by it I was. Declan let out a whistle, and his stallion pulled to a halt just outside the door.

“Wait here,” he said, so low I could barely hear him over the music.

He walked towards a gentleman lingering around the front door. They leaned their heads together, as if trying to make sure that no one else heard their conversation. The man nodded with a smile, then held out his arm towards Declan.

He embraced the man’s arm and then turned it over while staring at his wrist. Both smiled, then shook each other’s arms once more before Declan made his way back towards me. That was the most peculiar handshake I’d ever witnessed, or there was something more to it.

Confusion must have been written all over my face, because Declan’s eyebrow rose as he assessed me. “Everything alright? You look in pain.” He snorted as he reached up towards me, but I swatted him away and slid off the horse myself.

“More like suffering from a royal pain in my ass.” I murmured under my breath. A laugh slipped from my lips, as I leaned my forehead against the soft fur of his horse in an attempt to hide it.

When palms rested on each side of my forehead and the heat of his body warmed my back, I knew he’d heard me. Caged between his arms, I felt his beard tickle against the side of my neck as he spoke.

“Keep talking like that, Lena, and that can be arranged,” he threatened in a deep voice, rich with promise that I had no doubt he would fulfill.

The heat of his body fled as quickly as it had come, leaving the chilly air to consume the empty space.

“Let’s get you inside and get you something to eat.

Perhaps something to distract that mouth of yours before it gets you into trouble.

” Boots clattered against the stone road as he swaggered away towards the guards who awaited his orders.

Dragging my palms down my face, I sent a prayer to all five gods that I had wiped the blush off along with it. With a deep sigh, I shuffled over to the saddlebags to distract myself by unhooking my satchel.

By the time I had finished, Declan had come up beside me with Liam and Killian in tow.

“How are you feeling, little lady?” Liam’s grin widened as he guided us into the tavern.

“Fantastic,” I drawled sarcastically.

Liam shoulders shook with silent laughter.

Declan and Liam approached the bar to speak with what I assumed to be the owner.

Killian threw his arm over my shoulder and guided me away from the door.

“Glad to see that sass has made a reappearance.” He smiled, and my elbow found purchase in his side.

Killian groaned and dropped his arm from around my shoulder. “That, however, I didn’t miss.”

Patrons at the table beside us gave us scowls, which only spurred our laughter more.

“What’s so funny?” a deep voice asked, and both of our gazes shifted towards Declan’s.

“Oh, none of your concern, Your Royal Grumpiness.” I patted his cheek with my palm. “I mean your Highness.”

Liam’s eyes bulged as his fist covered his mouth. Killian just shook his head and folded his arms across his chest as if he knew what would happen next.

Declan leaned in and hovered just in front of my nose. Nerves spread like wildfire inside of me as my teeth clenched down on my bottom lip. His gaze dropped before it reverted towards my eyes. “Lena …”

“Yes, Your Highness?” I said with a little more sarcasm than I had intended.

“Why does something tell me that you’d like for me to carry out my promise from earlier?” He hummed, raising an eyebrow as he awaited my response.

My mouth flapped open and closed like a fish’s, but I found no words. Declan stood back to his full height, arms crossed over his chest, chuckling darkly. “Mmhmm, that’s what I thought.”

Liam interrupted. “They only have a few rooms available, so we’ll have to double up and sleep in rotations.

We’ll stable the horses and tell the rest of the men.

Killian and I will take the first watch, if you need us at all.

You two enjoy your meal.” With a nod, he and Killian strolled out the door, both with grins pasted on their faces.

The man before me, nodded to the tables behind me. Once I was seated, he went and grabbed us two plates of food and a bottle of wine to share.

It was silent between us still, and I watched intently as Declan filled my glass almost to the brim. Both of us ate, taking glances at each other every few moments, until I had drained my glass completely.

A smile warmed the prince’s cheeks as he filled my glass once more.

Pushing his plate aside, he leaned back in the chair and adjusted his legs to a more comfortable position.

As he did, his legs brushed against mine and I inhaled my drink from the spark it created within me.

Declan’s eyes widened as he began patting my back.

“I’m fine,” I managed to squeak out, as I took another gulp to calm the tickle that still lingered inside my throat.

“So, tell me a little about yourself.”

I gave him a blank stare. He sighed, then both elbows landed on the table as he leaned forward. “We’ve been riding for three days and I know nothing about you besides the fact that you’re feisty, don’t take orders well, and care more about helping others than you do yourself.”

“Sounds like an accurate description.” I said as I raised my glass toward him before taking another sip.

“I’ll make you another deal.”

Now he had caught my attention. “Continue,” I ordered, watching his lip twitch with satisfaction.

“For everything you share with me, I’ll share a little bit about me as well.”

“Seriously?”

“Seriously.”

“Okay, ask away, Your Highness.” I raised my glass to his as we clinked them together.

Perhaps it wouldn’t be such a terrible idea to get to know the Shadow Lord a little more.

“ S o, horses?” I asked.

Hours had passed, and most of the patrons of the tavern had left. Declan and I still sat chatting about our past. We’d already moved to another bottle of wine, which might or might not have influenced my loosened lips.

“Yes, horses. Whenever I have a free moment away from my duties, the first thing I do is go for a ride on Shadow.”

“Of course the Lord of Shadows would have an all-black horse named Shadow. Very creative.” I smirked into my cup. “I’ll make sure to warn your future wife to avoid letting you name your children.”

“I’m sure she would appreciate the advice.”

I’m not sure why, but a little wave of jealousy drifted through me at the thought of seeing someone being Declan’s wife.

His lips quirked as gaze fell to his glass.

All mirth faded as he swirled the wine within it.

“Truth is, it was a pastime that my older brother and I used to share. We loved riding along the shore in the mornings and over the hillsides in the spring when the wildflowers would cover them in a blanket of colors.” He paused, but I could tell there was more he wanted to share.

“When I was younger, sometimes even my father…” He winced and drained the glass. “He used to go with us, before …”

His father was not known for his kindness, so for Declan to reveal this fact about him was surprising.

“So, books?” He smiled weakly as he attempted to change the conversation.

“I didn’t get to leave Lostburrow much, or at all really.” I shrugged nonchalantly. “Books became my chance to explore, my friends…my escape when I needed it most.”

My shoulders dipped low as Declan leaned his elbows on the table once more. “What were you trying to escape?” he asked, genuine concern intertwined with his tone.

A sigh fled my lips as I brought my finger up to my forehead and tapped it against my head. “I’m always trying to escape the darkness that taunts me inside here.”

“It’s hard to imagine you with any dark clouds swirling inside of you. Especially when all I’ve seen is sunshine.”

Declan’s brows shot up to his forehead, almost as if he hadn’t meant for those words to slip. I covered my smile with my glass.

“Oh, it’s there.” I made sure not to mention his comment, and Declan’s shoulders visibly relaxed.

“It’s always there.” I said quietly into my glass before draining it.

“So, any love interests?” I piped, not wanting to linger anymore on the past conversation.

“Well, besides the one I already know…your cook.”

Declan’s lips quirked, but he only responded with his own question. “What about you? What about…Will?”

Hearing his name sent a jolt to my spine I hadn’t expected, and my body deflated into the chair.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have?—”

“No, it’s alright,” I interrupted. “If I were you, I would have been curious too, especially after the way we parted.”

An ache blossomed in my head, and the walls of the tavern began to wobble a bit. Either that, or the wine was starting to affect me.

“We were friends. He was my only friend, to be honest. I always wanted more between us, but he never looked at me that way, until…” I sighed as the memory of that day assaulted me. “The day of our Ascension, he kissed me and told me he’d been interested in me for a long time.”

Declan’s jaw clenched and his fist curled into a ball on the table.

“It’s okay though, because he’ll never look at me again that way again,” I scoffed, and Declan’s brows furrowed.

“Why?”

“Because h-he…” My lip began to quiver, and my eyes glossed over with unshed tears. Declan released his fist and rubbed his open palm against my arm. “He blames me for everything that happened, and apparently I’ve been a burden to him since the day we met.”

Declan stopped rubbing my arm and instead gripped it, forcing my eyes to meet his. “You don’t believe that, right?” He snarled.

“I’m not really sure what I believe anymore,” I whispered, averting my gaze. His palm left my arm but found my fingers and laced them between his.

“Elena, you need to listen to me. You did absolutely nothing wrong that day. None of those events were anyone’s fault, especially yours. Do you understand?”

A shrug was all I could offer in response.

“I need you to say it.” His eyes locked on mine in a silent demand.

“Say what?” I whispered as a tear rolled down my cheek.

“‘It’s not my fault.’” He brushed away the tear with his finger. I shook my head, but he gripped my chin. “Say it, and then we can finally go to bed.”

“I c-can’t.”

“You can.”

We stared at each other for a few moments. His gaze never faltered from mine until I caved under the intensity of his stare.

“It’s not my fault,” I whispered.

“Good, now let’s go to our room.”

“ Our room?”

Declan stood, pushed in his chair, painstakingly slow, then rounded the table and extended his hand towards me. He wiggled his fingertips until I placed my palm inside of his and he pulled me up.

We were just a few inches apart when I mustered the courage to grab his chin and pull it down to meet my glare. “It better have two beds, Declan.”

His face transformed into a mischievous smirk.

Hells.