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And my words were the truth. If I had to guess, this had been Willow’s plan all along. She had wanted to gain more power for her side. And if one or more of us had been Eli when the Darkness had leaked in, I shuddered to think what would happen.
“And if he fights against us? If he tries to kill? Will you be able to kill him?” Knox asked, his voice dark, and I realized his mind was filled with nightmares the same as mine.
But I refused to think of his question because I knew the truth. I wouldn’t be able to kill Eli. Even if he stood there with his hands around my throat, squeezing the life slowly out of me, I wouldn’t be able to kill the man I loved. I wouldn’t be able to look into his eyes, the ones filled with joy in a cruel world, and rip him from this life.
“How were your parents?” I asked, changing the subject, knowing neither of us could continue down this train of thought.
Sighing, Knox shifted me onto his lap, my legs hanging over his. “My mother is out of her mind with worry for my dad and me. She wanted to fight, but Dad begged her not to. Said he couldn’t bear the thought of knowing she was in danger.”
As Knox spoke, his eyes melted into mine, and I knew he felt the same as his father. And yet, he didn’t have a choice like Hank did. He knew that I would be in that battle whether we wanted it or not.
“But Dad’s prepared. He helped arm the rest of the Seers and Ethos. They may not have guns on Agrum Di Vinum, but they still had weapons. We’ll need those.”
The weapons they had were closer to the medieval weapons on the human realm. Spears and swords. Our people weren’t skilled in those weapons, but I knew it would give them more protection than standing unarmed.
Knox’s hands began to run through the strands of my hair as we watched the fire crackle, my eyes drooping as the hour caught up to me. I didn’t want to fall asleep, wanting to be there for Knox as he struggled with what the morning brought. But my mind had a different idea and soon, sleep was taking me over.
“Go to sleep my beautiful girl. I’ll hold you the rest of the night.” Knox whispered in my ear, laying a soft kiss on my lips.
Sleep had almost pulled me under, but I needed to say one more thing. The one thing I hadn’t uttered to him yet.
“I love you Knox.”
“I love you, Halley. Thank you for giving me peace.” I heard Knox speak on the outskirts of my brain and then unconsciousness pulled me under, no more nightmares to be found.
???
I woke with a start, a warm body moving beneath me. Cracking my eyes open, I came face to face with Knox, his warm hand rising to brush along my cheek.
“Everyone’s preparing to leave. I tried to let you sleep for as long as possible.”
Standing from the couch, I stretched my body, knowing that I needed to go get dressed. Standing on my toes, I pressed a kiss to Knox’s lips, before wrapping my arms around his body, needing the hug more than I cared to admit.
“Thank you. I have to go get ready.” I told him before breaking away and rushing down the hall to my room. The castle was quiet, and I knew my other men were already outside, prepping their Sector for what was to come.
Rustling through my drawers, I grabbed long black pants and a tight black shirt, throwing it on quickly before pulling my curls into a ponytail. Looking in the mirror in the room, I took a moment for myself. The woman standing before me looked like a warrior. Her eyes ablaze and her features volatile. I didn’t know if I would survive the day, but I knew that the woman staring back at me was ready for war.
When I reached the group outside, everyone’s features were taut, worry lines dotting their foreheads. And yet, there was an undercurrent of readiness underneath the fear. Whichever way today went, this war would finally be over, and I think we all knew that. We were all prepared.
Finding my guys in the crowd, I walked towards them, Madden grabbing me in his arms. Hayes and Cruz stood behind him, their mother at their backs and from the look in her eyes, I knew she had volunteered to keep her boys safe. Nothing would be happening to them under her watch.
“You ready for this sweetheart?” Madden murmured, his breath tickling my ear.
“As ready as I’ll ever be.” I answered. “Keep your family safe.” I whispered so only he could hear before leaning in for a long kiss.
“I’ll protect them all.” Madden promised as he pulled away and I knew he wasn’t just talking about his brothers and mother. He would be keeping his entire family safe, and that included the rest of us.
Walking away from Madden and his family, I found Kalani in the crowd, going to stand by her side. Her and Maeve stood strong, their hands clasped and shoulders back.
“Never alone.” I told Kalani as I grabbed her other hand, waiting for the orders.
Knox stood in front of the entire group, his eyes closed, as he searched for Willow and the Divines under her control. Several moments later, his eyes snapped open, everyone waiting with bated breath for his words.
“I know where they are. And they’re waiting for us.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Eli
