Elena’s POV.
I swallowed as the words fled my mouth.
Universe knows that I never thought of Killian that way. It was only a way to escape Darius’s tantrums. But despite that, I still felt a pang of guilt hit me across the stomach. Killian would brutally slaughter anyone who utters such word about me, but here I was. Doing same to him.
I couldn’t help but picture his face if he had heard me speak of him in such manner.
“I knew it, oh Elena, you are such a smart woman,” Darius grinned widely, his eyes swelling with pride.
He reached out to stroke my cheeks gently, then leaned forward and pulled me into his arm, engulfing me in a warm embrace.
“You know for a moment I thought you were still in love with him,” he whispered and my body tensed up immediately, but I was quick to replace that with a nonchalant hiss.
“That’s not even possible, not with everything that has happened between us,”
He exhaled deeply and continued stroking my back soothingly. “You don’t have to worry about him, you have me now.” He whispered.
Of course, Darius is an amazing man and I was definitely attracted to him, but what I feel for him can never be compared to what I feel for Killian.
Maybe things wouldn’t have turned out this way if I wasn’t forced to return and face Killian again.
Darius certainly doesn’t deserve this.
He suddenly pulled away from the hug and stared into my face. “Like I said, I am here to help you put an end to all of this.” My heart escaped a beat as his words filtered into my ears. Why are things going from bad to worse for me?
“Darius, we talked about this before I came here, you can’t get involved in this.” I tried to convince him but he seemed unmoved.
“I can’t let you do this alone Elena, it’s clearly taking a toll on you, and this fake affection card you are playing will only get him wanting to get down with you in no time,”
My heart skipped as he mentioned the last part. If only he knew I had already offered myself freely to him.
“Please Darius, you can’t do this, Killian is dangerous.” Tears were beginning to well up in my eyes.
“I don’t care,” he growled angrily, his eyes darkened in fury. “I have trained thoroughly every day for the past years, I am prepared for this.”
“Darius…”
“I’m not doing this for you alone, Elena, I’m doing it for myself too, Killian’s head in my hands will be the only solace for the pain he caused me, spilling his blood is the only way to avenge my parent’s death,” his voice sounded through the room like a thunderstorm, fury flashing through his eyes.
I stared at him, fear gripping me.
Letting Darius step into this mission will totally be a game changer, he wants Killian dead by every means possible, and that, I do not want.
I was stuck in an awfully hazardous situation and it seemed to be drowning me beyond limit.
But one thing is certain, I do not want Killian dead, there could be something I would do to save my children without spilling Killian’s blood. I’m willing to take a different shot at it no matter how dangerous it is.
But it seems I’m running short of alternatives following how determined Darius was to intervene.
“Listen to me Elena,” he drew me closer, his gaze piercing deep into mine. “We don’t have much time, that lycan man is way more dangerous than we think, the kids are not safe with him, all we have to do is follow his orders and we will have our kids back, we will live together as one big family Elena, free from complications of any sort.”
I exhaled deeply as I returned his gaze.
He was undoubtedly right, I needed to save my kids, they shouldn’t be suffering for my life complications, but then, I also wanted Killian alive, if not for me, but for Emily and Luna Drusilla.
“Think about how he treated you, he casted you away the second rumors rose against you and treated you horribly without a second thought, such man isn’t worthy to have a single breath left in him.”
His words filtered into my head, events of that night flashing vividly through my head, as tears began to well up in my eyes.
“Let’s fight for our kids Elena, let’s take revenge for the pain Killian has caused us, let’s…”
“Four days.” I cut him off before I could hold myself back. How the words stumbled out of my mouth was a mystery. One thing is certain, Darius has somehow talked me into this again. I was willing to give it another shot, maybe this time I could really act contrary to my emotions.
“What?”
“I need four more days to do it, if I don’t, then you can get involved, but right now, I need you to stay out of it,” I replied.
He leaned closer and pulled me into his arms again. “Fine, I’ll let you do it,” he stroked my cheeks affectionately. “I’m sorry you are going through this babydoll, I promise you, everything will be fine shortly,”
I exhaled deeply, relaxing to his touch.
**
I sprang upon the bed as I heard a gentle knock on the door. It was exactly how Killian knocks. I quickly climbed down and headed towards the door.
Thankfully, Darius had already gone back to Greenwoods pack, and so I could totally let Killian in.
But then, my hopes were shattered as my gaze landed on a strange man standing on my doorstep with a fierce look on his face immediately I pulled the door open.
“Uh… How can I help you?” I asked.
He stared at me without saying a word.
“You have almost exhausted the time given to you and the mission isn’t yet done,” he finally spoke up and I breathed a deep sigh.
Fuck Aragorn!
“I have a few more days to, it will be done by then,” I replied.
“Well, this is a reminder that your life is at risk too if you fail,”
“What are you talking…”
I trailed off as I suddenly caught sight of him pulling out a glistening blade from his back.