Kael's POV
There was still blood clinging to my fingers.
Even when I paced around the cave and the moon light moved through the waterfall's mist, I could still feel it.
Darius blood. His scent never left my nose, neither did his fury as well.
Yes I had won the fight. But what about the war? It was far from being over.
At the entrance of the cave was where I stopped and allowed the cold air hit me. The sound of the water rushing down helped clear my head.
But was it enough?
Nothing was even enough when it came to her.
Elara.
Staring at her I was intrigued. She was sleeping in my bed like she belonged there. The truth was she actually did belonged there.
She had always belonged right here in my arms.
I watched her hair fall across my blanket. My eyes landed on the mark that stood out on her neck.
It was red and raw and also perfect.
Elara was distorted in her sleep and I could perceive the fear and doubt. She mumbled words that I heard perfectly.
Even in her sleep, she was still dreading the name as well.
Raven.
I clenched my first in anger thinking about everything that has happened. I didn't even realized that I was growling until she shift her body in the bed.
"Kael?" Her soft voice called out to me. *Is something wrong?" She asked with a sleepy tone.
"No," I lied, trying to surpress the growl down. "You can go back to sleep."
She sat up instead, pulling the blanket around her. Her eyes found mine even in the middle of the night and they were filled with concern.
"You are tense. I can feel it."
Of course she was going to feel it. Our bond wasn't complete but the mark allowed a deep sense of connection between the both of us.
I looked away from her gaze. Every time she has always looked at me there was no way I could lie.
"You were right to ask about Raven." I said after a long silence in the dark. "There is more that I should have told you."
She got up from the bed and walked close to me, placing her hand on my torso while staring into my eyes. "Then tell me now."
I looked down at her. Memories flew across my mind.
The girl that I had raised, hidden and then end up fallen for. My entire life revolved around her even before I could understand why.
"I marked you." I said to her quietly. "Because I wanted you. Maybe I was a bit selfish with it."
She blinked twice and her eyebrow drew together. "What do you mean?"
I cupped her cheeks, feeling the warmth of her skin. "Because I knew it would bind you to me. Even if it is not fully done yet. I figured calming you first will keep Raven away. He certainly didn't stand any chance."
Elara's lips parted slightly in disbelief. "So it has always been about Raven?"
"No. It was about you." I said quickly. "It has always been about keeping you safe. But at the same time, I also wanted to beat him to it."
She pulled away from my hand and turned to the other side, folding her arms. "you said that I deserve to choose."
"And you still do." I said to her with conviction. "But I am not going to pretend like I don't want that choice to be me."
Her eyes dropped down to the floor. I hated the fact that she was unsure. She was always so strong and so full of her self.
"The truth is that I am confused." She whispered. "I am confused about everything. About what I feel."
Right before I could answer, a noise came from outside.
A twig snapped and there was movement.
My head turned to the cave entrance and my Instincts took over, pulling out my claws and ready to attack.
I pushed Elara behind me and waited for whoever was behind the cave to come into view.
And then I saw her.
Lyra.
White blond hair and a long white flowing gown to the ground. I noticed the mark on her neck was faint but at the same time was very visible.
No.
Not this time.
It can't be.
I felt a sense of betrayal fill my inside.
Elara walks to my side. She had seen it as well and it caused her face to become pale.
"How does she have your mark?" She asked quietly.
"I don't...." I tried to speak but the words were caught in my throat. I shook my head instead. "It is not what you think."
But what could it be?
My memory was twisted and confused at the same time.
A week ago at night when I confronted Lyra about the engagement, we had argued and she tried to kiss me.
I recalled pushing her away.
But what if...
No. I would have known. I wouldn't have marked her. I wouldn't....
"Kael!" Elara's voice broke me away from my thought. She stepped away from me with her eyes widened. "Did you lie to me?"
"No!" I denied with a cracked voice. "I swear I never meant to mark her. I will never choose her." I argued.
Her gaze hardened further. "But you did. Somehow you did!"
I tried to reach for her, but she flinched backwards.
Her rejection felt like a blade cut through my gut.
"Elara, you have to believe me please." I pleaded desperately.
"I don't know what to believe anymore." She cried and her voice echoed against the stone walls. "First you hide things from me then you say you want me. And now this!"
"It was a mistake." I said to her. I turned to the entrance of the cave. "Or perhaps this a trick."
"You cannot be serious with those stupid lies." She snapped back.
"Lyra is cunning. She is manipulative and we both know that she wanted power and even knows how to get it." I tried to make her see from my perspective.
"But you let her close enough to do that." Elara said again. "You let her in."
There was a silenxe between us.
"Was I just a part of your war with her? What about Raven? Am I a pawn in your game?" She asked, staring at me angrily.