Chapter 7 #2
“After 100 years, that’s the first thing you ask?
” her eyebrow lifting at him but he kept his stare fixed on her.
“No,” she answered, Silas not reacting to the conversation.
“We are just friends, you heard what he told the king earlier in the throne room. He’s been taking care of me all these years and we became close. ”
Declan’s nostrils flared, the realization and betrayal showing. He shifted so he was off the couch and facing her, arms still crossed. “All these years, and you couldn’t figure out a way to tell me?”
“I know you are hurt-.”
“I’m devastated!” he yelled, his emerald eyes darkening towards her.
She could see Silas tense at the table, but kept himself seated.
“I thought you were dead! Mourned you for a century only to find out you've been alive and playing house with one of my foot soldiers!”
“Do not yell at me.” she warned, her anxiety turning to anger. “I did what I thought was best for myself. I know I hurt you, but after what I went through I did not want to return to this life.” She shifted on her feet, her hands formed into fists. “I’m sorry.”
“You’re sorry?” His tone was quieter but still irritated. “Did you not trust me to keep your secret?”
She averted her eyes before taking a long breath.
“I didn’t leave Mavros’s dungeon the same person and it would not have been fair to you.
I don’t want this life anymore, dealing with court politics and high society gatherings.
That is your world, a world you love and I know you would never want to leave.
I’m only here because of him.” Her hand gestured to Silas, who had finished his food and was just sitting staring out the dark window the other direction but still listening for any sign of danger.
“You were my fiancée.” Declan’s voice got calmer.
“Even if that was true I would have helped you and I could have taken care of you.” His eyes glancing back at Silas then returned to her.
“I still love you Alrya, I never stopped. When you walked into that room today, I could sense you but I didn’t believe it until you pulled your hood back and I stopped breathing. ”
He moved towards her, his arms relaxing beside him and stopped inches in front of her. He lifted his hands and tried to reach up to cup her face, her body jerking away a step.
“Please don’t touch me.” she breathed, bile instantly rising in her throat at the thought.
She could see his eyes darken some but he didn’t advance towards her and saw the green in them reflecting the small amount of light surrounding them. “Don’t push me away now that I got you back after all these years.”
A tear leaked from the corner of her eye down the side of her face and her heart started racing.
There was a part of her that wanted to go back to him, being in love with him was a happy time in her life for the most part. That life was gone though, and she had lost that love the day she lost her power.
“It can’t be the same as it was, Declan.” her voice was shaky. “My heart no longer wants the same things it used to and it’s nothing you did. I’m sorry but the best I can give you is to just be my friend.”
“I see.” He cleared his throat looking away for a moment to gather himself.
She could see his throat bob to contain his composure and his jaw clenching with that familiar pained look in his eyes when he looked back at her.
“I’m not going anywhere Alyra, I’ll be here if you need anything.
” He nodded goodbye and walked towards the entry, glancing at Silas before disappearing out the door.
Silas was instantly moving to her before she could pull herself together. She moved her hands up to her chest, the ache making it almost impossible to keep her breathing even. As soon as she felt Silas’s arms around her, she started sobbing into his chest.
“You did nothing wrong,” he whispered, resting his head on hers.
“Then why do I feel horrible?” her voice barely audible between sobs.
“Because you have a big heart, and you care about others when you shouldn’t.
” He kept his voice low. “Always do what is best for you Alyra, don’t worry about anyone else.
” She felt him pull away and place his hand on her cheek to tilt her head up.
“Except when it comes to me, cause well… I’m the best.”
His smug smile made her chuckle through her tears, her hand playfully pushing against him. “I need sleep.” she confessed, her eyes now burning from crying and making them more irritated. She knew she should eat the food on the table, but exhaustion was taking over and Silas didn’t force her.
Without another word he scooped her up unexpectedly, a small squeal sounded from her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder while he carried her to the bed.
Silently he set her down before walking towards the other side of the bed, pulling his shirt off and joining her under blankets. He laid his arm out to her, a silent invitation for her to curl up against him and she accepted it. She laid on his chest, her hand resting just above his heart casually.
“You really think I can get it back again? My power?” She whispered softly.
“It’s in your blood, Alyra, which makes it a part of you and your body. We just need to figure out how to unlock it quickly, ” he mumbled back. “But to answer your question,” he pressed a kiss to the top of her head, “yes, I believe in you.”
She nuzzled closer to him and felt his arm tighten around her in response. They were friends, and that was what they would continue to be, no matter how much the line between friendship and something more seemed to blur.