Page 63 of Fire & Ice

"Deakon? What happened?"

"You didn't succeed in your endeavor to win Beau," he said. "But I brought you back."

She sat up, clutching the blanket he draped around her shoulders. "Brought me back? I don't understand."

He took her hands in his. "Your body was destroyed, but I used my gift Blood Rising to resurrect you. I couldn't lose you."

She touched his cheek, her fingers trembling. "You foolish man. Do you have any idea what you've done?"

"I saved you," he said. "We're together again, maybe like it was always meant to be."

"Nothing is as it was meant to be." She dropped her hands into her lap.

Deakon stared at her. He hadn't considered the consequences of the ritual, blinded by his desire to have her back. "Sara my gift... Blood Rising... It extracts a price, though not very terrible. You are here, but you will not have access to your gift as before, you will be just as a fragile."

"I think I would have rather stayed ash, then to become a subpar fragile in all but name alone."

"I'm so sorry. I didn't think…"

"You never do," she said wearily. "You brought me back, but at what cost?" she asked. "How much of yourself are you willing to sacrifice for this? For me?"

"Any price is worth paying," he said. "Even my soul, if that's what it takes to keep you with me."

She leaned up to kiss him, a soft and fleeting press of lips. "That's more than has ever been offered."

He drew her into his arms, holding on as if he could keep her there through will alone. They were bound by a magic that might one day end them both—but in this moment—she was alive and in his arms.

Perhaps that would be enough.

Chapter 52

"My Prince, Deakon was spotted near the cottage," Marcus reported, his voice tense as he approached Beau. The loyal guard's face was etched with concern, noting the storm brewing within his Prince.

"Show me," Beau commanded, his eyes dark and dangerous like the sea before a raging storm. His jaw clenched, muscles rippling beneath his flawless skin. Anger, bloodlust, vengeance – they all swirled together in a dangerous concoction within him, fueling his thirst for blood.

"Right away," Marcus nodded, leading Beau through the shadows and dense foliage until they reached a vantage point overlooking the cottage. There, they saw through the ragged window covering in a passionate embrace.

"Stay here," Beau ordered, his voice low and menacing as he leaped from their hiding spot and stalked towards the unsuspecting Councilman. His heart pounded with each step, getting Tempest back safe and whole the driving force within him, an unstoppable force of nature.

"Lacey." The words dripped from his lips like venom as he called out to Deakon, his eyes narrowing with barely contained fury. "What brings you to this humble abode?"

Deakon looked back at Beau, surprise turning into annoyance. "None of your concern," he snapped, trying to brush past the prince.

"Ah, but it is," Beau countered, grabbing Deakon's arm in a vice-like grip. "You see, I'm very protective of what is mine."

"Release me!" Deakon growled, struggling against Beau's hold. But the prince was relentless, rage lending him more supernatural strength.

"Tell me, why are you here and how did you reincarnate this vile excuse for a Halfling?" Beau demanded, his voice cold and unforgiving. He needed answers – and he would get them one way or another.

"Fine!" Deakon spat, desperation etched on his face. "Sara... Blood Rising my gift. I couldn't let you destroy her just because you didn’t want her!"

"Ah, so that's what this is about," Beau mused, his grip tightening around Deakon's arm, feeling the vulnerability beneath his anger. "Well, let me tell you something..."

"Beau, please," Marcus implored telepathically, sensing the danger in his prince's actions. But the warning fell on deaf ears, as Beau continued his rampage, driven by forces he couldn't fully comprehend.

"Enough!" Sara's voice rang out, her slender form stepping between Beau and Deakon.

"You will be dealt with next," Beau warned, his eyes blazing with an inner cold fire. But Sara refused to back down.

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