Page 33 of Beyond the Darkness

“What’s the catch?” She tried to push further to see what he was hiding beneath the proposal. “They will both have no memories of their time here in Korth. I cannot risk them going home with the knowledge of this kingdom. I will leave important things, like the woman in the cave with her warning. I’m sure the king of Orissia will be thrilled to know of the new threat. But I will have to replace their memories of Bastian and Brinley’s deaths. They’ll believe their two friends died in a hound attack,” he explained, choosing all of his words carefully. “Will they remember me?” She whispered, her voice suddenly feeling too soft and small.

“They will both believe that you are dead” he chuckled softly, the sound full of the evil that he’d shown during their first encounter. “I can’t have either of them going out looking for you once I let them go. Besides, the prince is too in love with you to ever give you up,” he finished, plopping down in a chair lazily. The king of Korth truly had no good left in his soul. Everything he did was for his selfish reasons. She knew he wanted to keep her there for his entertainment. She wanted to scream no in his face and run away in the night with Everett and Blaise. But at the end of the day, she hated to admit that he was right. If Everett knew she was still out there, he would never stop searching for her.

As much as she loved Everett, she knew this was a decision she had to make. Orissia would crumble if the prince didn’t return with the news of the coming war. She would sacrifice herself to save the kingdom that was full of the people she had cared for. She knew that’s what her parents would’ve wanted her to do.

“If this is your cruel way of attempting to make me care for you-” she began, letting out a sarcastic laugh. “I would never do such a thing. My sweet doll, there are plenty of women here who I can have. I’m not going to force you into my bed when I can have any of them. You aren’t that special,” he rolled his eyes, but something in his tone sounded off. The words felt hurtful for a reason she couldn’t quite explain.

“You’re disgusting.”

“As you’ve said before. Now do we have a deal or not?” He tapped his foot on the floor impatiently. He wanted a response then and there. He wasn’t going to give her any time to debate the answer to his proposal. She had to make her decision.

“I guess I will live in this hell hole until the day that I die. You have a deal,” her voice felt foreign as she agreed to Azazel’s terms. The smile that spread across his face was void of happiness, only a purely wicked intent. The weight of the agreement seemed to settle on her soul as she realized she’d just given up a life with the man she loved. The dreams they’d discussed of going back to Orissia and Everett convincing his father to allow her into his palace were all gone in a matter of moments. Her entire future changed with only a few words.

“Now I own you forever, little doll. Go say your goodbyes before I change my mind."

Chapter Forty Five

Aerilyn

Aerilyn wasn’t sure what emotion to feel as she made her way to her room. She wanted to feel guilty, but she also knew that the decision that she had made was the best choice for the entire kingdom of Orissia. Everett would never be safe in Korth, but for some reason Azazel protected her. She could deal with the king, but her fear for Everett’s life was too much for her to bear. She knew that she had to do this.

Everett was sitting on the edge of the bed when she opened the door. His attention was automatically on her and he stood, meeting her halfway across the room. “Where the hell were you? I woke up and you were gone,” there was panic in his tone that made the guilt begin to resurface. His hair was a mess and he looked completely lost. She forced a smile on her face, wrappingher arms around his neck. “I went to visit Rose since she was so worried about me,” the lie rolled too easily off of her tongue.

“Let me know next time, I thought something happened to you.”

“I didn’t mean to scare you. I’m so sorry, Everett,” she kissed him quickly, not able to let it last too long. She knew she was only breaking her heart further the longer she drew the encounter out. “We need to leave. Tonight. Blaise is ready to leave whenever we tell him. He wants to get the fuck away from this place,” Everett rushed out. The words felt like a stab to her heart. He was leaving, but he didn’t know that he would be leaving without her.

Azazel and Jaque barged into the room at that moment without a knock. The two of them stood in the doorway, their eyes landing upon Aerilyn and Everett. She didn’t realize the small amount of time she had. She assumed Azazel would give her longer to say her goodbyes. She knew she shouldn’t have expected anything more from the vile man. She glared at him with pure hatred in her eyes. He only returned the look, but there was more amusement written across his expression.

Jaque approached, his face blank of any expression. Azazel was close behind the cloaked man, the same man who had mentally tortured them their first night in Korth. Everett’s entire body went tense beside her, his arm shooting out to block Aerilyn from the two men. “What the hell do you want, Azazel?” Everett’s voice was cold, his eyes not glancing away from the king. She suddenly felt the overwhelming guilt wash over her. She had to remind herself why she was doing this. She had to protect Everett and give him a fighting chance at returning to his throne to stay safe.

“Calm down, pretty boy. We aren’t here to cause harm,” Azazel chuckled, his wicked smirk taking over his pale face. Aerilyn slid her hand into Everett’s and squeezed, attemptingto provide him some sort of comfort. His attention turned to her, almost understanding what was happening. “Why are they here, Aeri?” His eyes searched hers. “You have to live, Everett. Orissia needs you, they need their king. When you’re here you’re in danger. You must return to your throne and protect your people,” she reached her hand up to his cheek as he began to shake his head.

“Not unless you’re coming with me.”

Her heart broke.

“I can’t, Ev. Your father will never allow me to stand by your side. It’s for the best.”

Aerilyn could see the hurt in his eyes. The pain was written in his expression. She knew that this would ruin him, but it had to be done. Everett’s life meant more to her than her freedom. She turned her gaze to Azazel and gave him a slow nod. Her palms slid over Everett’s cheeks, leaning in close to his face as her nose brushed his. “Do you trust me?” She tried to keep her voice calm.

“With my entire being, my love,” he smiled, but it was forced.

Jaque finally stepped forward and placed a hand over Everett’s head, causing the prince to go still. His eyes fluttered trying to fight the power flowing through him. She didn’t let go of his face, wanting to grasp onto any moments they had remaining. She didn’t want to live a life without Everett by her side. She knew this would break him too. That thought alone jerked through her like a knife cutting deeper than her soul.

Aerilyn could visibly see Everett fighting the power, stripping away any memory he had of Korth and his love for her. She felt the wet tears slip down her cheeks, hating the weakness she showed in that moment, but she couldn’t hold back her tears as she placed a kiss on his lips, the brush making her shake inpain. Her heart broke into a million little pieces as she let the one person she truly loved go.

Jaque removed his hands from Everett’s head and she watched as the prince slumped before her. His eyes were shut, allowing him to finally look at peace. There was no worry or fear contouring his features. He always looked so innocent in his sleep. Aerilyn reached out, brushing her fingers through his hair to perfect the strands that had fallen out of place.

“He’ll be asleep for a few days. My general will take him and Blaise as close to the border of Orissia as possible. He’ll be safe, I’ll ensure it,” Azazel broke the silence, bringing the girl back from her thoughts. She wiped the tears from both of her cheeks quickly, her red-rimmed eyes narrowing at the enemy before her. The reason for all of her pain stood in front of her. “If he isn’t, I will personally gut you. I’ll start with the least vital organ so you can feel the pain of each one being removed,” her voice was full of pain and anger.

The room was quiet until Azazel let out a soft laugh, rubbing a hand over his face with a slight shake of his head. “I love it when you get violent. Though, I’d prefer to keep my organs in my body. Nothing will happen to the prince. I swore to you that he would be safe and free. I know you don’t trust me, but I would never break my word,” he took a step towards her and her entire body curled away from him. The man paused before stepping backward once again.

“I’ll let you say goodbye.”

Aerilyn waited for the footsteps to disappear, leaving her alone with Everett. Even though he was unconscious, she couldn’t help curling up against his chest. At that moment, she began to sob. The cries shook her body as she grasped onto the scent of pine and mint, the scent she’d grown to memorize. She refused to let this be the last time she held him. She couldn’t let go forever.

“I’ll find a way to escape him. I’ll come back to you. I love you, Everett.”

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