CHAPTER SEVENTY THREE-LYSANDER

Lysander's POV

"Lysander, there's a problem. Things have changed." Dread filled me as I rushed to Luna.

"What the hell do you mean? Is the Alpha not dead?" She shook her head.

That's when I felt it. Amidst the death of vampires filling my heart, there was one that stood out.

"Fuck! How did this happen?" I urged, teleporting both of us to the Oasis. There was blood everywhere. It wasn't supposed to go this way.

We saw it. She had the Alpha pinned. She delivered the final blow without more than a scratch.

A familiar heartbeat nearby caught my attention and my eyes darted to the darkness where Brett Lawson was fleeing the scene. No. He interfered.

A howl broke me of my rage, pulling me back to my lifeless hybrid. Bastion had her in the healing water of the Oasis, but it wasn't enough to raise the dead.

"Lord Lysander, please. You can't let her die. She can't die. I need her. We need her. Please, bring them back." Rory's frantic prayer rang out in my head. Damn it, I wasn't strong enough.

"You are, brother. You know you can save her." Luna spoke up, cradling her broken wolf, holding him up so he didn't fall. I shook my head.

"I can't. Not again." But I had to. I knew I did. If I didn't, not only would our future of peace be fucked, but I would be crushed. I needed her, too.

"Please, before it's too late, Lysander." My sister begged, tears running freely down her face. I swallowed, my chest rising and falling rapidly as I approached my dead Queen.

I had to focus. If I gave her too much of my life energy, we would both die. Sweat dripped from my brow and my clothes were drenched in the blessed waves. Please, Aria. Come back.

My fingertips lit up as I leaned forward, gripping her blood-covered face in my trembling hands. One kiss. Just one.

My lips found hers and I let it flow.

An overwhelming tingling sensation flowed through me, draining me of my strength at an alarming rate. Come on, sweetheart. Just a little more. You can handle it.

Her whole body was aglow, but Luna focused on concealing it. We didn't need to frighten her mate and royal. They had never even seen us before, so this would be quite the sight for them.

I could feel my legs giving out, but I gripped onto her arm for support.

I didn't care if it killed me, I wouldn't stop until I brought them back. I needed to bring them back.

Her heart's beat was literally the most joyous sound to my ears, making saltwater flow from my half-lidded eyes. She's back.

"Lysander, stop. She's back. It's too much for you," Luna urged me.

I could hear her speaking Rory's name against my lips. Her voice was so angelic, and I knew I would never forgive myself if I let those babies stay dead. It would break her.

"Lysander!" I fell to the water, barely keeping conscious as Bastion carried her to the clean part of the mossy ground to lay. I crawled after her. Just another ten seconds. They would come back; they had to. "Brother, don't!" Luna grabbed hold of my arm, but I shook her off. I made up my mind.

"Aria," I choked out, finally reaching her grieving body. She was listening for the dual heartbeats. I climbed her prone form, straddling her and crashing my lips to hers once again.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

Five.

I was blacking out. I had to guard my power. If I accidentally did a power exchange, she would die again. She was too weak to handle that.

Six.

Seven.

Eight.

Fuck. My arms collapsed, my chest resting on hers. I could feel her warmth against me as the blood covering her leaked onto my white shirt.

Nine.

Ten.

Badum. Badum.

My eyes closed.

"Lysander, what is this place?"

I gasped for air, my heart beating frantically from my vision. Why that one?

Shit, focus.

I straightened my shoulders. Aria had already stepped in front of me, approaching the aged wood doors.

"It's a lighthouse," I answered simply, allowing myself a smile as my memories slipped into the recesses of my mind.

"Where?" She twirled around, clasping her hands behind her back.

"Ireland. Beautiful, isn't it?" I commented, glancing up at the familiar brick structure. It looked a little less glorious than I remembered, but then again, it had been at least two hundred years since I'd been here.

"It's amazing. Can we go inside?" she asked, her face lit up in excitement.

"Of course, sweetheart." She bounded to me, throwing her arms around me. I froze at the sudden gesture, confused as to why she made it.

"Aren't you going to teleport us inside?" she asked, her warm breath fanning my chest. I chuckled, wrapping my arms around her and burying my face in her hair.

"Actually, I was planning on using my key. But if you prefer, we could teleport. I'm rather enjoying this." She tensed at my words, her blood once again giving away her desire and tempting mine. But I could tell she was fighting it.

I released her, taking swift steps to the door with the old brass key as I settled my heart.

"This way," I directed, guiding her up the winding staircase until we reached the top. It was completely encased in glass, blocking out the cold wind and creating a comfortable atmosphere for talking.

I pulled up a chair for her, which she happily accepted. The rocky backdrop and red sky were an eerie complement to her soft features, and I wished I had a canvas and my brushes with me. I could get them, but I didn't want to freak her out.

She was so beautiful.

A mental image would have to do.

I leaned against the railing, smiling down at her.

"Okay, so are you going to tell me the plan?" she asked, getting straight to business with the most adorable serious look on her face. I folded my hands on my lap, cocking my head at her.

"We are going to wait."

She blinked quickly, her eyes focused on mine.

"Wait? That's it? Our plan is to wait?" She furrowed her brow, crossing her arms.

"At present, yes. Unlike the others, it will be a while before we are able to defeat King Lorec. He will build his own Kingdom before we destroy it."

"But people will keep dying! We have to stop him!" she protested with a raised voice.

"People will die. You're right. Unfortunately, that is inevitable, dear. We mustn't rush the process."

"That's bullshit!" I bit back my laughter at her outburst. "How could you just accept so much injustice? I thought we were fighting for peace!"

"We are, Aria. But no one will get peace if we go on a suicide mission right off the bat. Trust me, not nearly as much damage will be done this go-around." Her eyes widened, then squinted at me.

"What do you mean? He's done this before?" she whispered, as if someone else could hear. I nodded solemnly. "Why... why was he imprisoned, anyway?" I took a deep breath, running my hand over my face.

"My father was charged with a severe war crime during his rule that led to his imprisonment."

"What crime?"

"Genocide."

She sucked in a harsh breath, her hands trembling.

"Genocide? What does that mean? Who? How?" I shook my head.

"For another time, Aria. Trust me, you don't need to know just yet."

"Like hell I don't. Lysander, I need to protect our people." I stared at her for a moment, taking in the passion in her eyes. She was determined to know, but I wasn't ready to tell her everything just yet. So I kept it simple.

"There were other species besides the three you know of. Three more existed and were exterminated by my father. That's all I'm going to say on the matter, though. So don't bother asking." I could tell she had more questions, but she held them back, nervously fiddling with her fingers.

I pushed off the wall, crossing to her to kneel and cover her hands with mine. Her anxious eyes met mine, and I saw the tension leave them.

"Aria, I promise you, I will never leave your side. You will have nothing to fear with me, not even my father. You... You're a part of me now."

I lifted her hand to my lips as an example, noting the subtle blue glow of my mouth against her skin. Her heart began to beat frantically, and her eyes lit up a brilliant green.

"Like... a bond?" She mumbled, licking her lips.

I chuckled. This was hardly equivalent to a tool we used to ensure reproduction in the species. This was... deeper.

"Not exactly. Just... Promise me you'll trust me in this. One day I'll tell you everything. I swear to you."

A simple smile fluttered across her lips, warming my soul almost as much as her following words.

"I trust you, Lysander."