Page 9 of The Order: Rise of the New Empire

Perhaps the best punishment to him is something much deeper than severing the stem of his sweet flower.

What's a look, when I can have a taste of what is his for myself?

Make her fall in love with me, then watch her suffer in all the ways I was forced to.

What better punishment could there be?

Come hell or high water, the day her heart stops is the day I have found my peace.

Chapter two

Xavier- Present

Fallan's screams drown out the noise. Every thought entering my mind hits dead ends every time I try to conjure up a logical reason for what has just happened.

Isn't it clear now? I don't love you.

Her words are stuck in my mind. The feeling of betrayal has latched onto my soul, turning what could be rage into a pit of dread I may never come back from.

Taking in sinfully shallow breaths, I squeeze my wrist as hard as I can, seconds away from snapping my own bones to deliver myself a feeling other than betrayal to focus on.

Still clutching her engagement ring, its metal feels as if it is cutting into my palm, etching another set of scars across my skin. The feeling of Elyon's bind was considerably more tolerable than the pain I am feeling right now.

I'd do it all again.

Every second spent feeling my own flesh rip open to hold her close.

I'd do it all again.

At least Elyon's pain was a reminder her love prevailed.

This?

What the fuck is this?

"Xavier?" Kai repeats once more. His tone is panicked. His body is barely suited for the tactical gear he now wears.

Inches away from my face, he tries to snap me out of my blank stare. The few words I exchanged with him when questioning the whereabouts of his sister were nothing that brought him comfort. Shaking me uncontrollably, Fallan's wails escalate. The sound of his pain is the only thing keeping me cognitively functional.

"Where is my sister, Xavier?" Kai repeats again, the only thoughts circulating in his mind revolved around her death.

Would that be easier?

Would knowing she died fighting for something she loves feel better than the pit of emptiness swarming me now?

"She's gone," I mutter silently, repeating myself once again. Glaring at Kai, I grab his collar, forcing him to stay silent. "And she's not coming back for you, me, or anyone else."

Shoving him away, he sprawls across the floor, skidding across the shattered remains of Elyon's home. There is not a single soul inside the once very packed ballroom. Hovering near Fallan, Valerie and Aaron keep pressure on Fallan's wrist. Both of their eyes are wide as they process seeing the man in the flesh. Hovering near the broken door, Bekah and Mason keep a lookout. They frantically shift on their feet, ready to alert us if anyone chooses to come our way.

"We don't have a lot of time, guys. Stop fucking around. Take pretty boy and I'll get Xavier-" Mason starts, my voice already cold.

"How the hell did you know to come here?" I question. Pausing his steps, Kai shoves himself to his feet, his focus on Mason.

"They found sand," Fallan gasps, his cries shifting into a burst of laughter most would be unsettled by. "They found sand in my urn."

Bleeding out onto the floor, his eyes are dead focused on me. A twisted grin pulls up his lips, eating up his expression. Taking several seconds to process his expression, his mouth curls higher, his eyes lowering at my confusion.

"Maybe I should have opted for the oak ash-"

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