Kei Valancia
“Stay here,” Ryker commanded.
I let out a breath and fought my old habits of trying to rebel. “Okay.”
He stopped and stared at me. “You’re not going to argue?”
I shrugged and held my knees close to my chest. “I would be more of a nuisance than a help. I’m too weak still, and I know when to back down sometimes.” I smiled a little.
He came over and kissed me on the forehead. “Don’t worry. I’ll get that bastard for you.” He gave me one last look as if seeing my face for the last time before turning and leaving.
I sat quietly, the sounds of snarling now piercing the air.
Did you miss me?
I clenched my hands into tight fists. I got out of the bed and looked out the window facing the backyard. About fifty wolves stood snarling at the lone man in front of the tree line, his tuft of brown hair neat and slicked back. He wore a dark red suit that looked freshly ironed, and he kept his hands behind his back. Even from this distance, I saw him look up at me and smile. I, of course, flipped him off in response. He seemed to be amused by my behavior, and his smile widened, his canines gleaming. I shivered at the sight and spotted Ryker’s form come through the sea of wolves.
He took slow, deliberate strides, and I prayed to the Goddess that she kept him safe. When he was standing just a couple yards, he finally stopped. I saw Leon’s mouth move as he spoke, but they were too far away to hear. The two men talked for what seemed like a decade, Ryker seemingly keeping his cool. However, I couldn’t see his facial features as he was turned away from me.
We need to go down there, Rei suddenly said.
We do?
Yes. Now, hurry, Ryker is in danger.
Even with a small army of wolves, I knew that she was right. You could not trust the devil himself even if you had the best warriors by your side. I looked down at my attire and shook my head. No time to worry about my wardrobe choices.
I opened the window and looked below.
I was on the third floor, and the grass looked ominous for the first time. But I will admit it was a beautiful bright green. Maybe the lushness of it will help break my fall. Probably not. Taking a deep breath, I crouched in the window sill and looked up to see the two talking, Ryker now looking more agitated. My eyes scanned the woods, and I swore I saw the sun glint off something. It was just a nanosecond, but I swore I saw it.
So much for staying put, I thought before I jumped. The wind whipped my hair, and the ground began to rush up at me like a fist. This is going to hurt.
Just as I landed, I bent my knees to absorb the impact, and I rolled. I kept my head tucked in and ended up on my back. I stared at the sky for one dazed moment, thinking that it was such a beautiful blue before snapping out of it. Right, I’ll have time to look at it later.
Standing, it seemed like I had caught the attention of the nearby wolves, and I held my finger in front my lips in a quiet motion. They still gave me curious looks but went back to listening to the two men. Honestly, it’s a miracle that they didn’t hear me almost fall to my death.
Kei, what are you doing?
Never mind.
I peeked over the crowd of wolves to see him still facing Leon.
“How the hell did you take her powers?”
I froze. Ladies and gentlemen, I was screwed, and I didn’t know how Leon knew, but he did. I really did wish that he burned in the deepest, darkest part of hell where the flames were the hottest.
Leon chuckled.
“I didn’t take her powers. But she did.” Leon pointed right at me.
Ryker turned his head and looked at me disbelieving.
“You see, since today is her birthday, she regained her sight but lost her powers. Yet there is a way to get them back.” This sparked interest in me but I ignored it
“Well, I’m not interested,” I spoke, taking long strides towards him.
“Kei,” Ryker warned. I saw the look of irritation shot at me, but just I shot him a look in return and passed the wolves, parting in the middle.
“What is up your sleeve, Leon?” I narrowed my eyes at him as I stopped beside Ryker.
“You know me too well,” he said with a smile.
“That’s what I hate about myself the most,” I growled.
“That’s about to change,” he replied breezily.
I opened my mouth to retort but the sight of a gleaming silver arrow pointed at Ryker made me freeze. The man was hidden in the trees about twenty yards behind Leon, and I was only able to detect him when a ray of sun bounced off the deadly weapon.
“Maybe you should go to hell.” Ryker snarled and made a step towards him. Just as he did, I could see the arrow move backward before the world froze. In a split second, the arrow was still before it began moving.
“Ryker!” I screamed and pushed him out of the way before the arrow hit him. Instead, it burrowed deeply into my stomach. Time stood still as I began to fall. And I mean it literally stood still. Time froze, and my vision became fuzzy. A familiar bright figure had come into existence before a woman appeared.
“Est…elle.”
I lay brokenly, my blood seeping into the ground. She smiled softly and knelt beside me.
“I’m sorry you have to go through with this,” she apologized.
I shook my head while barely moving. Pain ricocheted in my body.
“No need to apologize. I’m just hoping that I can die in peace.”
She held my hand in hers, squeezing gently. “Your life is not going to end here. It’s only going to get harder.”
I rolled my eyes. “Of course, it’s not like I wanted a totally happy and normal life with my mate,” I said sarcastically before feeling bad for taking it out on Estelle. “Sorry, I’m just stressed.” I began coughing, and it felt like my lungs were doing double time in trying to keep me alive.
“It’s fine. But, Kei, when you wake up, you’re not going to be the same as before.”
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
Her expression became somber. “Kei, you’re going to die. But you’re also going to come back to life. When you do, you’re going to be different.”
“How?”
She shook her head. “I’ve said too much already, but just know that you are loved, and your parents are looking out for you.”
I felt my consciousness waning as my vision started to turn black around the edges. “You’ll…stay with me?” I croaked.
“Of course.”
I smiled in relief before turning my head. I looked at Ryker’s frozen form, his eyes wide and his lips frozen on my name.
“Wait, can you unfreeze, Ryker? I want to speak with him.”
She nodded and stood up. Walking over to him, she lightly touched his arm.
“Kei!” he shouted my name before blinking. He looked around himself briefly before spotting me on the ground. Horror filled his features, and he came running towards me. He sank to his knees and held my hand.
“Why did you do that?” He sounded angry, but his eyes showed that he was broken.
Slowly, I lifted my hand and caressed his cheek. “Didn’t I tell you that I would have your back? Even if I don’t have my powers, I still consider it true.” I gasped and knew that my time was ticking away too quickly.
“Ryker, listen to me. I’m going to die,” I said bluntly, making his eyes widen. “However, I am coming back, but first, you have to let me go.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me. I’m not going to let you go, ever. And you’re not going to die. We’ll get you help and—” He started to sound more desperate as the seconds ticked by.
“No, Ryker. I’m going to die, and there’s nothing that we can do about it.” I could feel Death pulling now, asking me to close my eyes.
“Kei, it’s almost time for you to go.” Estelle looked at me sadly, and Ryker turned his head to look at her.
“No! She’s going to be fine, and I’m going to rip Leon to shreds.” He snarled. The blood kept leaking out of my wounds, and I knew that Estelle was right. Time had won again.
“Ryker…please promise me you’ll let me go.”
He cradled my head while brushing the hair out of my face. “I can’t.”
“Please…let me go…So I can come back…” I felt my eyes droop. “Promise me.”
“Kei—”
“Promise me, Ryker.”
He was silent, and I was so close now.
“I promise.” He sounded defeated. Instead of peace, I felt sorrow.
“I’ll come back…That’s my promise…to you.” I opened my eyes to look up at his beautiful face one more time. “I love you, Ryker Dare, my king, my love, and my life.” My eyes closed one last time. I faintly felt his soft lips brush mine. His tears fell on my cheeks, and his last words warmed me up before I was pulled into the darkness.
“You are my queen, my light, and my world. I’ll wait for you until the end of time, and when you do come back, I’m never letting you go.
“I love you, Kei Valancia.”