Page 26 of Rising Out of the Darkness (Divine Guardians Duology #1)

“As you saw a few days ago, I have some knowledge with healing. My mother was the only Healer in our town, and she taught me several healing techniques growing up—ones that didn’t need magic, just someone who cared enough to pay attention to the ingredients with healing properties.

I loved learning and experimenting alongside my mother.

Together we were able to create powerful healing elixirs and salves.

Together, we were able to help a lot of people. ”

Tears pressed behind my eyes, and I rubbed my fingers over them to try to alleviate the ache. After a deep breath, the words continued to spill from me.

“I—I did the best I could after my mother passed away, but I don’t have the dynamis that she did.

No matter how devoted I was, there were some I couldn’t save.

Now, my town is left without anyone to help them.

I’ve left them to suffer.” I cringed at my own words.

“It’s been two years, Killian, I’ve had two years to have someone learn alongside of me, but I didn’t.

Gods, why was I so selfish…so irresponsible?

I’ve let everyone down, just as I do everyone in my life, it seems.

“The gods are torturing me with this power, this strength inside of me.” A frustrated huff tumbled out of me.

“It’s almost hilarious, you know? You’ve only known me for four days, but even you can see through the mask I wear daily.

How am I supposed to pretend to be strong, powerful, brave when the real Elena is weak, insecure and unstable?

” Tears began to flood down my cheeks. “I fear I will not survive whatever fate awaits me at the capital.”

Killian pulled out a small cloth from his pocket and offered it to me. “Elena, I’ve only been around you for a few days, but I can see that you seriously underestimate yourself.”

As I wiped the cloth over my cheeks, my face froze in bewilderment.

“Lena, since the very first day you have always put others first. You’ve worried about your father, that boy Will, the child in Wildebrooke, and now the people of your town.

You’ve never backed down from your fears this entire trip.

We didn’t make it easy for you in the beginning, yet you still fought with us, challenged us at every step.

Hells, you even saved one of our own guards from poison, Elena.

You showed compassion to the very people who took you from the safety of your home.

“Best of all, you’ve constantly challenged Declan, which I must say, my lady, very few do and live to tell stories about it.

” He chuckled under his breath. “What I’m trying to say, Elena, is that you are a fighter.

As a captain of the Royal Guard, it’s my job to discover a person’s character and strength when they are presented before me. ”

Embarrassment flooded my cheeks, and I averted my gaze towards the fire. How could someone I’d only known for days see those things within me when I couldn’t even see them in myself?

“I’m not a fighter, Killian. My weaknesses have been on display this entire trip.” I held his gaze, challenging him to tell me I was wrong.

“Resilience is by far the most powerful strength one can have. Anyone who can survive being beaten down and yet still rise with the sun each day is someone I would stand next to in battle any day. As a good friend once told me, it’s in our fears and weaknesses that we discover our strength.”

The words resonated in my soul, just as they had the night before when he had said them.

Declan .

The thought of him made me wonder where he had gone off to. Narrowing my eyes through the shadows around the camp, I finally spotted him at the farthest end of the clearing, his shoulder perched against a tree, his gaze fixed towards the horizon. Towards the capital.

My eyes shifted towards Killian, asking for permission to leave. He followed my line of sight, then gave my shoulder a squeeze before joining the others.

I rose as well, trying to make my exit without too much distraction. I made my way through the muck and tried my best not to slip.

A branch snapped underneath my boots. My body stiffened as I shut my eyes and winced, preparing myself for the worst. When I realized that there was no yelling, I peeked open my eyes to see that the prince hadn’t even flinched. He was lost in thought, his eyes glued to the castle on the horizon.

I narrowed my eyes to get a better glimpse of it myself.

The castle was built with white stone that looked faintly blue under the moonlight sky.

Foliage crept along the sides of the walls, and vines climbed over four large towers.

Torches lit the castle, and the warm light reflected a colorful hue from what looked to be several stained-glass windows.

On top of each of the towers navy blue flags waved in the sea breeze.

Each adorned with the familiar kingdom crest. I had expected a dark and gloomy castle, but the sight before me was nothing like that.

I inhaled to gather the courage to tap the man before me on the shoulder.

With my arm extended, ready to make contact, Declan peered over his shoulder.

His eyes met mine as I shoved my arm down, trying my best not to look ridiculous.

A smile formed on his lips as he pushed away from the tree he was leaning against. He took a step towards me until he invaded my space.

The night air was chilly tonight. I could almost smell the salt from the ocean in the air, as the City of Shadows resided alongside it. The wind tangled between us, causing my arms to become pebbled with goosebumps. A shiver followed as I rubbed my arms to try to create some warmth.

Observing my chill, Declan slid off his cloak.

I raised my hand to stop him, to which he scoffed and pushed my hand away.

Once the cloak was over my shoulders, he tugged the button through the loop, which sat snugly over my collar bone.

The warmth of his touch on my skin sent shivers all over my body; however, this time it wasn’t from the cold.

Neither of us had spoken a word since my arrival, and the silence continued as Declan finished buttoning the cloak. Suddenly, the air around us felt warm, almost electric, as his fingers traced my neckline all the way up to my chin. He lifted it slowly to make me meet his gaze.

“Come to check on me, Wildfire?” As his hand fell, my body leaned forward, chasing after the heat of his touch. Clearing my throat, I took a step back to give us some distance.

“I…” I swallowed, trying to regain my composure. “I suppose I came here to apologize for all of my sass from earlier.” A smile blossomed on my lips. I knew damn well I wasn’t sorry at all.

He crossed his arms over his chest as he peered at me with a smirk. “Yes, I can see just how much it has tormented you.”

I couldn’t help but smile and roll my eyes, as I let out a small laugh. Honestly, the way this man’s moods shifted so quickly, he deserved all my sarcasm and more.

In a flash, Declan grabbed me and shoved my back up against the tree. His knee was wedged between my thighs, his body was flush against mine, locking me into place against the tree. He anchored himself above me with one hand while the other gripped my shoulder.

Wide-eyed, I watched breathless as he leaned towards my face. Heat rushed through my body, and there was an overwhelming worry that his lips might press against mine. Guilt began to creep in, because I knew deep down inside, I wouldn’t stop him this time if he tried. Surrendering, I shut my eyes.

Instead of feeling our lips collide, I felt his drag across my cheek towards my ear.

My toes curled inside my boots. Calloused fingers brushed against the side of my neck as they tucked a few strands of fallen hair behind my ear.

They trailed down my braid and played with the loose hair at the end as he spoke.

The deep, rumble of his voice roused what felt like tiny ripples of lightning to course throughout my body.

Everywhere he touched my skin, my dynamis ignited, almost as if it yearned to follow his touch as much as I did.

“Elena…what can I do to ensure you never roll those beautiful eyes at me ever again?”

All that came out of me was a soft hum.

“Tell me, Wildfire,” he purred.

Dear gods.

As my mind went blank, my body took over.

I could no longer formulate words. Declan’s fingers traced a slow, delicate path down my arm, finally settling on the top of my waist. I squirmed against the tree, my thighs squeezing against the sides of his knee.

His grip around my waist tightened as I tried to shift my body out of his grasp.

All that did was provide enough pressure to relieve some of the throbbing erupting between my inner thighs.

“Maybe this will teach you a lesson.” His words faded, replaced by teeth grazing the side of my neck. I gasped, holding my breath as he continued. My body quivered underneath him.

“Or perhaps this …” His warm lips trailed down my neck towards the opening of the cloak.

With a swift maneuver of his hands, the cloak puddled around my feet.

His lips caressed the spot where the cloak once was, and I felt as though my body was melting into the tree.

My breathing quickened, heart racing into oblivion.

That same pull in my chest that seemed to only happen around him tugged voraciously.

That was it. I’d officially lost my mind.

There was no way I should want this. Hells, we’d been fighting since we’d met. As usual, my traitorous body had other plans. Everything inside me called out to tell me that this was right. It was almost as if my soul knew him more deeply than I did. Like they were old flames, reunited once more.

Once again, Declan grabbed my chin, tilting it back to meet his gaze. He gazed upon my lips, his chest rising and falling at the same rate as mine.