As Lilith had predicted, my recovery took a further fortnight before I could move freely. Up until then, every inch of my skin sore and stretched to its limits, even the smallest movement felt like torture. It was slow process. Lilith changed my wrappings and applied her healing salve twice a day. Each time the swirling marks came into view I looked down at myself in wonder. They were slowly starting to heal. When I could finally lift myself from the bed without Lilith’s help, I found my way to the gardens. Still too weak to wonder far, but I needed fresh air. Autumn had definitely set in now, the garden was bare bar a few rows of root vegetables in the vegetable patch. There were a few stray rose flowers still in bloom, the last shows of summer before the winter set in. The trees surround the cottage had started their transition from green to a whole palette of browns, auburns, yellows and reds. It was beautiful. Leaves floated down from the canopy above settling on

I woke well before day break, eager to make my way to the clearing that Lysander was camped at. If I’m honest, it wasn’t the thought of training that had me excited. It was Lysander himself. He was a mystery to me. All my time at the academy and not one man (or boy) had caught me attention the way that Lysander had. The attachment I felt for him which confused me. Surely I shouldn’t be, the blood vow still held firm, I could feel the bond tethering me to Lucas. So why was I so drawn to my mysterious protector. I head out into the cool morning air, torch in had because it was still dark. It felt good wearing my familiar legging and gym top assemble again. I had pulled on a thick pullover before leaving. My breath billowing out in icy clouds as I walked to the boarder. As I approached, I could just make out Lysander’s figure in the darkness. Day break was just shining its first rays of light over the horizon. “Good, you are on time.” Lysander sounded impressed.

I took me a while to pull myself together after Lysander had gone. The pain and confusion evident in my chest, which didn’t seem to ease with the passing of time. If anything it only grew worse. Apart of me knew that Lysander was right though. I had to find Lucas, he was the only way to gain access to Lucifer. Having Lysander around me only proved to be a distraction, not to mention he would throw himself in harms way should I end up in the path of danger. One thing was absolutely certain, it had to be me who dealt the final blow. Once I had done what needed to be done, maybe then I could think about my wounded heart and everything it entailed. I pulled myself off the ground, picking up my sword as I went. The weight still felt strange in my hand, but it also felt like an extension of my body. The hilt warm in my hands. I couldn’t help but wonder how old the blade was. It certainly looked old, ancient even. The blade still razor sharp glinting in the morning sun ligh

The longer time stretch on, the harder it was to keep control of the magic flowing through me. I desperately grabble at the bond between myself and Lucas, calling to him and hoping that he could feel its tug. There was no way of knowing of course, but surely the bond must count for something. “Come now Princess, there is no point in resisting us. It is only a matter of time. And by the looks of it, you will burn out well before the sun will come up.” Tyrell stood just the other side of my fire wall, assessing me smugly. I knew what he was doing, he was waiting me out, he knew my magic would only last for so long. But I wasn’t about to just give myself up and so I pushed on, the sweat dripping down my body with the effort. One this that had started to get on my nerves, was everyone’s obsession with calling me “Princess,” I may come from so called demon royalty. But one things I am definitely not is a Princess. “Stop calling me that!” I shout, my voice wavering

Lucas POV I look down at the sleeping form in my arms. Her dark lashes resting against her cheeks. Her breathing was even, meaning any pain in her body was now pushed to the side and her mind was calm. Her hair cascaded down towards the floor like the smooth silk sheet of my bed, her already pale skin now even more so due to the stress her body has been put through. He scent was intoxicating, and it took everything within me to not just claim her as mine now. It was clear she didn’t fully trust me, it was understandable with my reputation as it was, she had no reason to put any trust into me. But Avalon was my slither of humanity. The one thing that stopped me from falling off of the edge and into the abyss. I would win her over, I had no other choice. I just hoped for both of our sakes that she would come willingly and quickly, it was only a matter of time before Lucifer picked up on something being wrong. I walked her back to my room. The only bedr