Page 10 of Shattered Heir
“Shad, I never asked you to follow me or to protect me, or whatever, so just stop. Cade has what he wants: your soul. He isn’t after us anymore.”
“Look,” Shad interrupted, peering at me fiercely. I noticed the way his jaw clenched as he spoke, and his hands were in fists at his side. “I don’t remember what happened, but Keil filled me in. I understand what is happening now, so don’t try to spare me the details. Someone like him doesn’t give up that easily. I don't buy it.”
“I don’t think so—” I said, wanting to be sure, but knowing deep down that he was right.Cade could come back.
“I am trying here, Emma, trying to understand all of this. It would be much easier if I knew where you are and what you are doing. I saved you, Emma. I wouldn't have done that if you were not important. I know that.”
“I wish you hadn’t done it.”
“It is a little late for that now.” He looked down the hall, his gaze far away in thought.
“I will help you. I can restore your memories; I know I can,” I whispered.
“Keil said that, if there was a way, that you are my only chance.”
“I will get your melody back or die trying; I promise you.” I bunched my hands into his shirt, stepping closer to him, feeling the pulse of electricity between us. He turned his face to me, anger and frustration in his eyes. I stumbled forward in shock and fell with him to the ground with a thud. I tried to move from above him, but he pulled me to him, holding my waist in his hands. We lay there, tangled and frozen, for a few seconds, his eyes so dark and haunting. They bore into my own.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, still on top of him, struck by the electricity that surged between us.
“It’s fine. Sorry I didn’t stop us from falling.” He sat up, bringing me with him, and I quickly got off of his lap and stood. He was tall beside me, once again fixing his shirt.
“Well, I should probably get some rest,” I said, clearing my throat.
Silence.
He stared at me, and I stared at him for what felt like years.
“Yes—yes—I am going to my room,” he said as he held my gaze. Before I could say anything more, he nodded and walked past me, just like that, without another word, and I picked up the apple he had gifted to me, and I walked into my room. As I sat on the edge of the bed, thinking about how truly messed up and confusing my life was, I looked at my hands, my fingertips still buzzing from his touch. I touched the skin he had wiped some-what clean. I looked at both hands and both fingers, at the cuts—the scrapes I had caused by clenching the bark in the forest. I was sure then, more than ever, that I did not understand how to deal with my life.
You need me.Shad’s voice floated into my soul. Could he still communicate with me? I wanted to be happy about it, but he sounded so different, and it only reminded me of what we had lost, although whether it was a figment of my imagination or Shad speaking into my soul, he was right; I did need him. I would always need him.
I will always need you.
Chapter Five
Ilay in bed, trying to sleep when Mary entered the room. I could hear Keil loud and clear, and I groaned as the light flickered on. I pulled the pillow over my face, wondering if I would ever catch any sort of a break.
“Good, Emma, you are awake.”
I sat up and rubbed my eyes. The warm glow of the lamp did an excellent job of momentarily blinding me. I noted the worried look upon Mary’s face, and immediately, my guard was up. “What’s going on? Is Ryker okay?” I moved from the bed, looking for my shoes.
“He is fine. They should release him in a day or two.” Mary placed a hand on my knee to keep me on the bed. I looked at Keil and could tell that he had showered; his hair was wet, and his face was no longer covered in sweat and dirt, but he still looked tired. We all looked tired, no matter how much sleep we were able to get.
“Emma, what happened after we left?” Keil asked, sitting.
“In the cave?” I asked, closing my eyes as I tried to hold back the anger rising inside of me.
“Yes, what happened? How did Shad become soulless?”
“I offered to go with Cade,” I started, trying to ignore the shakiness of my voice. “He locked me up, and then—” I tried not to cry, but I let the tears fall from my face. “Shad said he knew where the cave was with the portal, leading to Terra, and he also said that if Cade went back to their kingdom on Terra and if he had Shad’s melody, all of the Terrans would believe that Cade was Shad, and then Cade would get everything that he wanted.” I covered my face with my hands, trying to stop the tears. “I tried, Keil, I tried to stop him.” I was grateful for the tears and not the growl that wanted to rise up whenever I thought about Cade.
Cade.
Cade.
Cade.
I want to rip his throat out.
