"We rested in a grove nearby and we could hear Gabriel's Knights get closer. Leonard was a quiet Knight so when he started singing, melancholy tunes, we knew something was wrong. I looked at him and his shirt was soaked in blood and his breathing was labored. I tried to help him but he kept shoving me away. I stopped trying when he pulled his dagger out on me. Everyone was trying to convince him to calm down and let me look but he just kept saying that it was too late.""The next morning we woke up and he had died. He left two letters, one for his parents and one for us. We could barely read it because he was shaking pretty bad. He apologized because he was playing with the mercenary and got struck in his side. He was too embarrassed to tell us and, in the end, it cost his life. He requested that we burn him instead of sending him back to his parents.&

When I don’t answer, Derek storms out of the room with a guard following behind him. ‘m torn between going after him and staying. I can’t imagine what it would be like to be in his shoes. I know how strongly I feel for him and my heart’s divided. How much would I feel if it was the opposite? I know I feel like I am drawn to him, I feel the sparks when we touch, I feel the warmth that he gives me when holds me. How much more for him? How much is this hurting him to know that I am still in love with another man? To know that I am willing to acknowledge what we feel for each other because of this other man. I don’t know how to explain it. I am also trying not to become too attached because I know what will happen if I fail and I don’t make it back here. Meril makes the decision for me, by grabbing my hands. "Alayna, I don't believe that it would have been Joseph. I'm sorry. I don't know for sure, but I'm pretty positive. You need to figure out what you want." He says nodding his head tow

The next morning, the Doctor wakes us up. I notice the black eye on Derek's face. He doesn’t seem to mind. He smiles at me gently. Derek traces his finger around the outline of my face. "I'm sorry I failed at protecting you. If I hadn't been so busy sulking we wouldn't have gotten separated." "Derek don't..." "Shhh....no don't. If I had thought about my actions, we would have been linked together and never been separated. Now, you have a black eye on your beautiful face and you've already been through enough." "Not to interrupt but I need to check him out and Meril is wanting to see you." the doctor says.

Before we are finished, we are both panting and sweaty. He took me to heights that I had never been before. I don’t know if it is because of the mutual feelings, or if he seemed to improve since the last time, but that was the best I’ve ever felt. I lay in his arms, trying to control my breathing, with a huge grin on my face while Derek is attempting to stay awake. The phone is ringing and, a few moments later, Liz knocks on the door. I groan internally. I do not want to move from this high. "Alayna, Meril is on the phone. Are you awake?" Derek and I smile at each other before I unwillingly answer.

The following morning, is rainy and gloomy. Everyone is feeling just as bad as the weather, but we go back to work. I skip breakfast, which infuriates Derek, and start working on the project. I can tell that he wants to say something but he doesn’t. He just shakes his head and walks off. Meril and I finish putting it together before lunch. For some reason, Derek is upset with me and I am having trouble figuring out why. Liz believes it’s because he didn't get much sleep due to my tossing and turning all night. That makes me feel even worse because he made me breakfast and I didn't even bother to eat it. I