Chapter 31 - Everlasting Fire The hours of the night ticked by slowly. I couldn’t get his words out of my head. ‘I feel nothing for you. You were just a piece to a game I am no longer interested in playing.’ Lies, that’s what his eyes told me. All he was speaking were lies, trying to push me away. I stared up at the night sky until the black of night mixed with the oranges of the morning sun.  As if the sun itself had summoned him there, Balthazar was standing by his horse checking the saddlebags, not even sending a glance my way. At that moment, I decided I wasn’t going to let this silence between us last any longer. Since he could break the deal with me being forced to follow him into the underworld, I would break the deal we made together, stopping him from being forced to lead us to Ryuu. I grabbed my blanket and rolled it up quickly, not c

Chapter 33 - Trust When I got out of the springs, I was alone. I quickly got dressed and hurried back to our post so Garren could have a chance to bathe. My head was spinning as I rushed back. My skin tingled where ever Balthazar had touched me. My lips were bruised from how hard we kissed. I could still taste him, which only made me ache for him all over again. I still couldn’t believe how much he had told me. I couldn’t believe that everything, negative and evil, about him, started because of a lie. He was kind, but over time he got lost, broken, and I was the one who needed to help put all the pieces back together. I was the one who was meant to help him rebuild his future, rebuild his dreams. He was the one who saved me from the darkness just as I was the one to cast new light into his life. We were beacons for one another calling each other home. The bond had opened my eyes, but his truths had opened my heart. And now t

Chapter 35 - Desperate The last few days felt like months as worry ate away at me. I didn’t sleep often, but I woke up covered in sweat and gasping for air when I did manage to pass out. Other twisted nightmares would come into play each time I passed back out. Ones where Balthazar was dead, and I was too late to help him. Others where, Jade never came, and the giants found us instead. One nightmare would morph into the next. It would go from him to me being alone cornered by Luecrottas beast. I was being eaten alive while my screams went unheard. They swirled around each other, going back and forth.  The newest nightmare was all about entering the gates of the Empress's home. Only to have Ryuu awaiting us with an army of deranged dragons. The Empress was laughing at the carnage that was about to take place. I don’t understand why the nightmares kept occurr

Chapter 37 - Dragon Spirit   Imelda’s POV    “How did you get here?” I asked, my voice mixed with both relief and fear.    “I go where you go. Nothing could stop me from reaching you.” He turned his gaze to Ryuu.    “Not even you, you pathetic excuse for a female.” He sneered. I stared in disbelief. If there were ever a time not to insult someone, it would be now. But Balthazar never played by the rules. He was a king. After all, he made them. Ryuu scoffed.    “Oh Balt, I love when you talk dirty to me.” She said, her tone salty. I cringed at the mention of his nickname. I had to remember that she did once mean something to him. Before she hated him, she had loved him.

Chapter 39 - Choices  The path was exactly how it looked, dark and cold. It was as if I was caught in another realm entirely. The trees were dead, the sound of crows echoed throughout the dead forest. A thin layer of fog coated the ground, and the air smelt stale. Not even a twinkling star shined above my head. My footsteps crunching against the gravel and dirt echoing in beat with my heart. I swallowed hard as I pushed back the nerves that kept prickling at my skin.  I held my head high as I kept moving forward, subconsciously counting my footsteps as I went. A harsh, cold wind blew my hair around. It was then I realized I was still only in a light tunic and pants. I fought the shiver that tried to take hold of me. No matter what I was going to face, I would face it all to ensure a future for all wo