Image (Insight #3)(50)

“Is that all that remains?” Marc asked.

I slowly moved my head from side to side; I knew it was only a very small part of the demon I’d faced.

“The sun is setting in the West,” I heard August say.

We turned to see him at the window. Dane stood in front of me and helped me up, and Landen and Drake found their way to their feet. We made our way to August’s side. Outside, we could see the people of Delen going about their day; the workers along the wall were moving forward with their task. I felt a new emotion and turned to see the silent servant girl standing in the doorway. She bowed her head, then asked Perodine, “Shall I prepare dinner?”

Perodine looked to me, then to the girl. “What time is it now?” she asked.

“Almost seven-thirty, ma’am,” she answered.

We all seemed to sigh at once in relief.

“No. Our guest will be leaving shortly,” Perodine answered. The girl bowed her head and left.

Landen turned back and stared at the workers along the wall. He then sighed and looked at Drake. “They’re anxious,” he said, tilting his head in the direction of Drake’s followers.

Drake nodded. “I need to appear before them before the sun sets,” he answered, letting his eyes meet mine.

“Do you think the string’s open?” Marc asked.

“There’s only one way to find out,” Landen said, looking down at me.

I was overjoyed to see my family, but my heart held sympathy for Drake and for Beth; I knew they’d stay there.

I stepped cautiously to Perodine and hugged her. “I’ll be back as soon as I know they’re safe,” I said in her embrace.

She shook her head no. “Take a day to rest; enjoy the world you created so long ago.”

I nodded and passed by her. August then walked to Alamos and Perodine’s side.

“I’m going to help them escort my family home, then I’ll be back to understand what happened here - and what will happen now,” he said.

Perodine nodded. “Bring her,” she said to August. His eyes questioned who she was referring to. “The one who’s had your thoughts throughout this, your soul mate; you will be of sound mind if she is at your side,” she said, smiling slightly.

August smiled and nodded.

Alamos looked at Perodine. “I must go with him to protect him from the court. I’ll return when I’m sure they’re not threatened,” he said.

Perodine nodded as she looked at Drake. “Keep in rhythm of the man they think you are, and you will be fine.”

He nodded, took a deep breath, then looked at his mother; Beth looked down, fighting back the arguments she wanted to invoke. As he led us all to the passage in his room, Drake walked to her side and let his hand rest on her back. As we walked, he put his arm around Beth and began to whisper; I felt her fear and frustration as he spoke.

I looked up at Landen. “He wants her to go with us, to see Livingston and Preston,” he thought, pulling me as close to him as he could.

I saw Beth whispering in protest, then felt the two of them reach a resolve.

At the passage, Marc and Dane stepped in first; they weren’t going to allow me or Beth to hear the screams if they remained. A moment later, Marc reached his hand through, telling us to enter.

August guided Alamos in the passage. Drake looked at Landen and me. “Guide her to your family and bring her back to me by day’s end tomorrow. If she’s missing too long, it’ll cause a conflict in the court. I’ll meet you at the palace; it’s not safe for you to appear at my estate,” he said to Landen.

I watched as Beth’s shoulders relaxed; she was overwhelmed with relief. She hugged Drake, then came to my side and took my hand. Drake’s eyes looked over me, then settled on my charm and slowly fell to where my wound was. He sighed and stepped in the passage. I gripped Beth’s hand and forced a smile, then led her into the string. Drake had disappeared into the glow. When we reached the place where the wall had stood, we found Marc, Dane, and August waiting for us. When he saw Beth, Marc’s elation was immediate; he immediately took possession of her and led the way. Landen pulled me closer and kissed my forehead.

“Are you OK? Did it hurt as badly as it seemed?” I asked.

We stopped and let the others walk on. He then turned to me and held my face in his hand. I stared into the beautiful blue that led to his soul.

“The only pain I remember is seeing you raise that knife to your chest. When I began to fight the darkness, I lost every insight I owned. Without them...not knowing what you were seeing...feeling...I assumed that you’d found a love for him and couldn’t bear to choose, that you were laying down your life instead,” he thought.

As he said them, I felt the pain in his words - and every part of me ached.

“There’s no choice; you’re the only one...I saw that when I stood at death’s doorstep,” I thought, reaching for his face to pull it closer to mine.

“I think that’s how I lost you before: I let my eyes tell me a story that was untrue, and I let you go to him,” Landen thought.

I moved my head from side to side, disagreeing with his thoughts. “I refuse to give his memories life – and so should you,” I thought.

He stared into me as he leaned in and kissed me so tenderly that I barely felt his warmth. I pulled him closer and let the love and passion I felt for him flow through me.