Page 33 of The Knight
“If you would have just kissed me that summer like I asked you to—” she trailed off, and I felt her melody swirl around me, and I knew that she really wanted to try kissing. She was a curious little thing, I would give her that.
“What about sweet sixteen? Isn't that important to girls?” I asked, gripping the door handle to steady myself from kissing her senseless that moment.
“Ah, you’re impossible. That’s three years away.” She leaned against the seat.
“Some things are worth waiting for, Em.” I said, trying not to imagine what her lips would feel like pressed to mine.
“If you say so,” she grunted, folding her arms.
“How about I promise that when you are sixteen and I’m seventeen, if you still want to kiss me, I’ll kiss you?”
“You mean it?” her voice was excited as she turned to me.
“Sure, but you know that usually people kiss because they like each other.”
“I like you, Ry; you are my best friend,” Her smile made it hard to breathe, but somehow, I managed.
“So, you'll wait to be kissed until you are sixteen then?” I asked, as my dad pulled into her driveway.
“Yes,” she said with a nod and turned to look at me. She took my hand in hers and squeezed it before she slipped out of the door and ran up the porch to her house. At least, she would be safe for the next few years. After that? Who could know what I would have to do then?
Chapter 19
Itried to stay awake as best I could. It took all of the energy I had not to collapse. A soulless stood me on my feet and pulled me toward the cavern’s door. The memory of Emma’s hand in mine the night I drove her home from the school dance still felt real. I tried to remain conscious as I noticed my surroundings, focusing on the present. What was happening? Where was I?
I didn’t understand what was happening to us as we reached the other side of the cave. The guard disappeared, and the door closed behind us.
“What is happening?” I asked as I slumped against the wall. Slowly, the memories of the past faded away, giving way to the dread of the present, and I heard Emma’s soul in pain. I wanted to know where she was, where Cadian was. Flashes of memories of being kicked over and over until I blacked out came to me. I shook my head, trying to regain myself. I was so disoriented.
“Emma and Shad are inside with Cadian. They made a plan to appease him in order to get him to set us free.”
I looked at Keil with anger in my eyes. “What did you let them do? They are of the Ancient line. Are you insane? I am nothingin comparison to both of them." I spit out blood and coughed, surprising myself that I could even yell anymore. I spit out blood for a while as the cough became even worse. Keil moved over to my side and felt my skin—I assumed to assess my physical state. I was cold and numb. At least, I felt very little. He moved over to my chest and side, and I winced from pain that I hadn't realized was there.
“We have to go; I think you punctured a lung with your broken ribs or something,” Keil said as he stood over me.
“I cannot leave without her.” I wondered why I wasn’t stronger. Where was the ancient magic? I wondered why I wasn’t able to charge in there and take Emma away. I knew the answer, and it pained me too much to dwell on it: I had offended my vows, and the Ancients didn't think I was fit any longer to be a knight.
“Look, Ryker—I am not your biggest fan. I have half a mind to kill you for getting Shad and Emma into the situation that they are in, but regardless of what I want, you are important—Emma says you are, so I will carry you if I have to, but I will take care of you.”
“Emma is the one who needs taking care of. Just let me die. Go save her!”
“Shad will help her. I assure you, my prince knows what he is doing, and Emma will be well.”
I tried to speak again but found that the words would not leave my lips. I was surprised as Keil lifted me from under my arms to stand me up.
“Can you walk?” he asked me, as I leaned there against the damp cave wall. I nodded, noticing the soulless guard had beenever so kindto leave a light for us. Keil picked it up, and I slowly but surely trailed after him, wanting with everything in me to run to Emma, but no matter how much I wanted it, I knew she didn’t need me. Right then, she only needed—and wanted—oneperson by her side. As her guardian knight, I knew that. I knew that she wanted Shad above all else, and it pained me, but not as much as it should have, because of the one person I just could never let go.
Chapter 20
The box that I locked away inside of me begged to be opened again. I wanted to stay away from it, I wanted to run from it, but the key clicked, freeing the lock, and the box lid opened once more. Memories tumbled out like an avalanche down the face of a mountain. With my eyes closed, I felt the cold, damp floor, and my memories found me once again as I cursed my weak body.
"Truly?" she had asked me as I held her hand. The electric pulse increased within my heart, and I nodded. Melody or not it never mattered, our connection had been instant.
"When should we tell them?" she pressed. The excitement, dancing in her eyes, made my heart swell. Oh how much I adored this woman.
"Tonight." I smiled, pulling her into my arms. I kissed her cheek, and she buried her face into my chest. The scent of her filled me and reminded me of that beach with unreal, blue waters, where we first met–when I had found my soul.
"I never thought that I could be this happy." She tilted her face up to mine. She had never gained her memories back, but she had a happy life here in Torren, here with me.
