Nila

TIME WAS MY worst enemy.

Nothing good ever came from time.

It passed too quickly—good moments and happy memories gone in a blink. Or it passed too slowly—bad experiences and unhappy circumstances dragging for an eternity.

And now, when all I wanted to do was fall asleep in the warm stable with Jethro wrapped around me and the sweet scent of hay in my nose, all I could focus on was...time is limited.

We’d carved out all we could, and now it was over.

I looked at Jethro. My freshly cut hair whispered along my jaw. My heart suffocated with love for him and what he’d done.

He’d single-handedly brought me back from the brink, giving me back my self-worth, fixing me enough to stay strong—for a little longer.

He pulled up his jeans and buckled them. Without a word, he slipped off the hay bale and helped me stand. We hadn’t talked about what would happen now, but I already knew. He meant to send me back.

He’s leaving me again.

Sadness and fear tingled my spine.

I can’t go back.

But I had no choice.

I’ll break.

But I had to remain strong.

I couldn’t look at him as he smoothed down my nightgown, readjusted my coat, and plucked wayward strands of straw from my hair.

Say it. Tell me we’re about to go our separate ways after everything that’s happened.

Jethro stiffened, obviously sensing my frustration and terror.

Time would come between us again. I would hate it all the more.

“Nila...stop.” Gathering me in a hug, he kissed my cheek. “You already know what I’m about to say. I feel it.”

I snuggled into him, despite wanting to shove him away. All that talk of keeping me safe, yet he expected me to return to the monster’s den without him.

Please, don’t do it...take me with you.

“What are you going to do?” I inhaled his skin, flinching against the strange scent of antiseptic and musk. He normally smelled so delicious but now he reminded me of death and toil. “Whatever you’re planning, don’t. We could still leave. Tonight.”

Time doesn’t need us apart again. It’s had its fun.

I wanted to create my own time where we became immortal and lived a safe, happy existence forever.

But you know he’s right.

No matter how much I wanted to, I couldn’t leave Vaughn and he couldn’t leave Jasmine. And if Kestrel ever woke up, Jethro owed him a safe home to return to. As much as I wanted to scream and beg, I forced down my weakness. I was on his side—I would do what he asked of me, even if it was the hardest thing I’d ever do.

Damn obligations and common-sense. Hadn’t I deserved some fantastical ideology where we could run off into the sunset and exist happily ever after?

Why couldn’t life be like storybooks?

Jethro sighed, hugging me hard. His muscles vibrated; his heart thundered. He was alive, in my arms, and his orgasm was drying on my inner thigh.

He’s alive.

I had to trust he’d stay that way to carry out whatever he had planned.

“I need to end this, Nila.” Jethro pulled away, looking into my eyes. “You know as well as I do that we can’t be free until it’s dealt with.”

The cuts on my breastbone flared, agreeing with him. We’d suffered enough—it was their turn.

My eyes fell to his waist. It hadn’t escaped my notice that he refused to take his t-shirt off. However, he couldn’t hide the small pinprick of blood coming through the light grey material.

I reached for it.

He jolted back, clamping an arm around himself—glaring at me, daring me to question his conviction that he was strong enough to do this. “One day, two at the most. I’ll have everything in place and we can finally be happy.”

I shook my head. “Something will happen. It always does.” Tears rose. I hated that I was weak but I couldn’t deny it—the thought of going back to Hawksridge alone petrified me. “I can’t go back, Kite. Please, don’t make me.”

So much for not begging.

“They’ve hurt me. They almost won. I know you believe in me but I honestly don’t believe in myself anymore. Please...please don’t make me go back.”

I couldn’t stop shaking. I didn’t have the power to walk back there.

Jethro kissed the top of my head. “You’ve been so damn strong—stronger than me by far. I sent a note to Jasmine telling her what I’m planning. I asked her to make up an excuse to keep you in her room. She’ll watch over you. She’ll say you’re teaching her how to sew or something.” His voice dropped with love. “She’ll make sure you’re safe and out of their hands for two days.”

I didn’t have the heart to tell him that Jasmine’s power was minimal, slipping further on a daily basis. Bonnie had her ways to restrict Jasmine. I wouldn’t put it past the old witch to poison her for going against dear ole’ granny.

If Bonnie ever finds out Jasmine’s working against her...

“What are you going to do? Two days is too much time.”

Time again.

The enemy to us all.

The sands of hell.

“I’m going to call for help.” Jethro’s jaw twitched as if the thought of admitting he needed others frustrated him.

“Who?”

He frowned. “Just leave it to me. Don’t worry about it.”

“Tell me. I want to know.”

“You need to get back before they find you’re missing.” His eyes narrowed. “Don’t climb up the drainpipe. Go through the front door and ask Jasmine for a key. She’ll wipe the camera footage in the morning.”

I took a step backward, needing to distance myself so I could walk out of there without kneeling and begging to go with him. “You’re changing the subject. Tell me what you’re planning.”

He exited the stall, forcing me to follow him down the aisle. “What do you want to know?”

Why couldn’t he see that by asking me to trust him and willingly return to the Hall, he owed me everything?

It’s taking everything that I am not to show you how terrified I am. How lonely. How defeated. You have to give me something to cling to. Something that will keep me strong.

“I want to know what you mean to do.”

He looked over his shoulder, holding his side.

Was it just me or was his skin whiter than before? A fever kissing his brow?

I wanted to strap him to a bed and nurse him back to full health. He still had a long way to go—no matter how adamant he was.

His golden eyes flashed in the darkness. “Fine, I’m going to call Kill. The guy you met at Diamond Alley. I’m going to enlist his help.”

“And he’ll give it?”

“Let’s just say, we have an agreement. He’ll come.”

“But he’s in the States. It’ll take him two days just to get here.”

Jethro spun around, coming to plant his hands on my hips. “I also plan to contact someone else. Someone who’s been doing a great deal of conspiring over the past month. Someone who has had enough like me.”

My heart skipped. Vaughn? “Who?”

Jethro kissed my cheek, brushing aside my hair with gentle fingers. “Your father.”

I froze. “Tex?”

He nodded. “Arch has been busy the past few weeks. While I’ve been healing, I’ve kept an eye on him. He’s gathering an army, Nila—not just media this time, but a proper bought team. He’s ready to hunt and I’ll give him the perfect target.”

“How—how do you know that?”

His teeth gleamed with anger and commitment. “I looked into his background. Pulled a few favours to find out if there’s been inconsistent spending in his accounts.”

“Wow—”

“Eh, Jet?” A figure appeared from the blackness.

I jumped. However, instead of cowering behind Jethro like I would’ve a few months ago, seeking protection and others to save me, I unthinkingly placed myself in front of him. My arms up, fists curled, teeth bared in defiance.

I might be almost broken, but I protected those I loved.

The hunchback came closer, skulking from the shadows. “Impressive stance, Nila. But if you mean to follow through with a punch, make sure your thumb is on the outside of your fingers. Otherwise, you’ll break it.”

I narrowed my eyes as the figure dumped two duffels from his shoulders to cobblestones. The dense fabric slapped loudly in the night silence.

“Flaw?”

A low chuckle reached my ears as he stepped from the darkness. “Hi, Nila.” His eyes skated over me, widening with understanding of what Jethro and I had gotten up to.

Jethro hugged me from behind, planting a kiss on my cheek. “I didn’t think I could love you any more than I do. You just proved me wrong. Thank you for protecting me.”

My heart burst.

Letting me go, he skirted in front of me and held out his hand. “Once again, you’ve earned my thanks.”

Flaw nodded, shaking Jethro’s grip. “Jasmine’s been told. I’ve got what you asked, and nobody is the wiser.” His eyes fell on me. “I can take you back to the estate, Nila. Give you an alibi if anyone’s up at this ungodly hour.” Fishing in his pocket, he held up a key. “I have the key to your room.”

Jethro rubbed his chin. “That might not be a bad idea. Just think up a decent excuse.” He narrowed his gaze in my direction. “You’ve been sick with the flu—you can’t deny it—I can still hear it in your lungs. Use that as a reason for midnight wanderings. You needed medicine.” His face darkened. “Which I doubt you asked for while you suffered.”

I looked away. “What I do when you’re not around is my business. Just like you getting shot and making us all believe you were dead is yours.”

Hear what I’m saying? That I’m not a victim anymore—I’ll stand up for myself regardless if you’re there to help me or not.

Jethro clenched his jaw.

Flaw laughed. “Tension in paradise, huh?”

Growling under his breath, Jethro changed the subject. “Did you manage to catch him okay?”

Flaw grinned, his strong jaw shaded in dark stubble. “Bit of a bugger to start with but nothing a handful of oats couldn’t overcome.” Pointing at the bags, he added, “Medical supplies in that one. Along with water and food enough for a week. Clothing, tent, and survival stuff in that one. I doubt you’ll want to make a fire in case they see the plume, so I brought a gas heater to cook on and to keep you warm, along with an electric blanket that’s solar-powered.”

My eyes widened. “Wait, why does he need all that?”

Jethro turned to me. “Because you might be going back into the Hall alone, but I made a promise that I’d never leave you again.” He took my hand, guiding me away from Flaw and outside where the moon drenched the forecourt. Before it’d been empty and silent. Now Wings stood patiently, saddled and bridled, his back hoof cocked with boredom.

Seeing the black beast caused hope to explode all over again.

I whirled in Jethro’s arms. “You’re staying close by?”

“Staying on the grounds. Yes.” Pulling out a silver phone, his eyes darkened. “I’ll send you messages. I sent you a couple yesterday that you didn’t reply to. Did they take your phone away?”

No, I was just trapped in the Heretic’s Fork and tormented.

I shook my head. “I haven’t checked it. I keep it hidden—just in case.”

“You have to stay in constant contact now,” he growled. I need to know where you are, that you’re okay. Otherwise, I’ll lose my fucking mind.”

My heart reacted like a love-struck teenager. “I must admit, I’m very impressed you remembered my number.”

Jethro smirked, the first lighthearted reaction since he’d returned. “I haven’t forgotten anything about you.”

I rolled my eyes. “I suppose that’s only fair seeing as I remember your number, too. I used to repeat it over and over again as I fell asleep.” The seemingly normal part of dating, of secret messaging, and the delicious joy of finding that the person you were in love with felt the same way glowed inside.

He truly does love me.

It wasn’t a projection of my love. Not a mirror or mirage.

It’s true.

I’d never been more thankful.

He stepped closer, eyes hooded. “I can recite everything about you. If someone asked me how you tasted, I’d have the perfect description. If someone ordered me to list every freckle, I’d have the exact number. And if anyone wanted to know how brilliantly perfect you are—or hear about any of your accomplishments—I’d be able to regale them for hours.” He wrapped his arms around me. “I’ll never forget anything because it’s the little things that make you real.”

Flaw chuckled. “Good God, man, you have no shame.”

I wanted him to bugger off. My heart disintegrated and my core clenched to have Jethro inside me again. I was wet, wanting.

Jethro laughed. “I’m not embarrassed to be honest for the first time in my life. This woman is mine. I love her, and I don’t fucking care who knows it.”

I blushed. My soul ached at the thought of him leaving. He couldn’t leave me. Not now. Not now we’d been honest and finally talked outside of debts and pain. “Don’t go...we can work out something else. Stay...please.”

Jethro’s smile fell, sadness cloaking him. “I have to. Another day or so and then we’ll be safe to do whatever we want, go wherever we please.” Taking my hands, he squeezed tightly.  “Go now, Nila. I need you to return.” Looking over his shoulder, he held out his hand.

Flaw came forward and dropped the key into his palm.

Jethro gave it to me. “On second thought, it might be best if you go on your own. Tell them Jasmine gave you the key because she often has tasks for you outside the realm of Cut’s requirements.” His voice cracked with frustration. “I wish to God I didn’t have to make you do this. But I promise it will all be over soon.”

Flaw muttered, “Cut’s been pretty fucking happy the past couple of weeks. Been a lot more lenient with the Black Diamond brothers. Doubt he’ll cause any trouble for the next two days.”

Jethro sneered, “I guess killing his troublemaking sons makes everything hunky-fucking-dory in his world.” Kissing me one last time, he urged me toward the Hall. “Go now. I’ll message you when everything is in place and tell you where to go.”

I opened my mouth to argue—to demand he keep me with him. Wherever he was going, I deserved to be by his side. “Jethro—”

I don’t think I can do this...

He groaned, yanking me back to him. “God, I’ll miss you.” His mouth slammed on mine, kissing me roughly. As sudden as he claimed me, he relinquished me. “Leave. I love you.”

As much as I wanted to argue, the desperation in his gaze forced me to obey.

I had no other option.

I’m strong enough to do this.

He would keep me safe.

I trust him.

To prove that I did, I turned my back on him and returned alone to Hawksridge Hall.

* * * * *

I didn’t look back.

I should’ve looked back.

I did as he asked.

I shouldn’t have done what he asked.

I climbed the small hill and turned to hell.

Dawn did its best to push aside the moon; the ground glittered with blades of frost. My heart was a lump of snow by the time I ascended the front entrance.

It was the hardest thing to ask of me—to willingly go back.

I didn’t know if I’d ever be able to forgive him if he betrayed my trust.

If something happens...

I shook my head.

Nothing will happen.

Two days...it’s nothing.

Pausing on the stoop of the Hall, I glanced fleetingly behind me.

There, on the horizon, was the faint outline of a black horse and its rider disappearing into the woods.

Jethro was gone.

I should never have let him go.

I should’ve run in the opposite direction.

I obeyed because I trusted him.

I should never have trusted him.

Unfortunately, I was right.

Two days was too long.

In two days, my world would end.