Chapter 24: Chapter 24

DEVON

"I can't just sit back and do nothing while you're planning on embarking on a suicide journey to the night court!" I exclaimed, following Theo into his room.He ignored me and I swear, I was starting to loose my mind. "Theo, I want to come with you" I said. He kept ignoring me.

After Ric's arrival at Victoria's house, Theo had insisted that we leave immediately. The drive back home had been uncomfortable. I'd tried to talk Theo into letting me go with him to the night court; he'd only grown more upset. "Theo, you aren't saying anything" He abruptly turned to face me, his eyes blazing like golden flames."I just want you to stay here. You'll be safe here. You'll be helping me by staying safe" he said."Fat lot of good that's going to do for any of us! What about you?! You're going to get yourself killed. You said it yourself. The night court is a dangerous place!"

"All I ask is that you leave this to me. Is that so much to ask for?" Theo said through gritted teeth.I stared at him, disbelief and panic welling up from deep inside me.He was really going to do it.He was going to get himself killed. I can't loose him again.

No, I can't.

It'll ruin me.

Tears burned my eyes, my hands slowly curling into fists. Theo's eyes softened when he saw the tears in my eyes. He heaved a sigh and reached out to touch me but I shrugged him off and turned away from him. He held my hand and pulled me to himself.

"I'm really sorry, Dev. I know you're upset but this is the only way" he said.

No, it's not.

"Take me with you" I said, searching his eyes.He shook his head slowly."You know I can't do that"A knot formed in my throat. This time, I didn't stop the tears. Theo let out another sigh. "Please don't cry" he said, looking so torn."You can't do this to me, Theo. I can't loose you again. I only just got you back. Remember what happened when you asked me to stay back. You died. I can't let that happen this time. I'm coming with you" He stared at me, looking as dejected as I felt."Devon-" he sighed, gently wiping away my tears with the pad of his thumb.

"Please" I rasped, gazing into his eyes."You have to understand that the night court is dangerous for even an average faerie. You're still human, Dev. I can't expose you to that" "What if something happens to you?" I asked, a second wave of tears threatening to spill. "I'll be fine, you don't have to worry about me""That's the thing. I worry about you. I can't help it. I love you, how can I not worry about you?""Do you trust me?" He asked, cupping my cheek.Oh no, I don't like where this is going. "Devon, do you trust me?" He asked again, gazing into my eyes deeply."I do. I trust you with my life" I said."I'm not going to leave you without saying goodbye. As it is, I have no intentions of saying goodbye yet. I'll be gone for only two days. I'm going to return to you, I promise" he said to me."You must come back to me, got it?" I sniffled."Of course" "Promise?"

"Cross my heart" I stared at him, noticing the dark smudges beneath his beautiful eyes. The corners of his eyes were pinched with tiredness. He was exhausted. I realized how much defeating Amyra mattered to him. The safety of the faeries and the humans was his burden.He was carrying a burden so great. I slowly traced the dark circles beneath his eyes, with my thumb. My fingers brushed his cheekbone and his temple.Theo was right after all.If I went with him to the night court, I would be a distraction to him and that could cost us our lives."Okay" I sighed, feeling defeated and drained.Theo embraced me and kissed the top of my head."I love you" he rasped."Love you more" I whispered.He exhaled slowly and I closed my eyes.All I could do was hope that everything would turn out fine.

*********

AMYRA

"Your highness, your partner is here" Naina, one of my warriors said to me with her head bowed. "Bring him in" I said, smirking."Of course, your highness"

Shortly after she left, my partner walked in, carrying an unconscious woman in his arms. He placed her in front of me and straightened. He moved closer to me and kissed me. "You look really beautiful as always" he whispered and I beamed."So do you"

"Who is she?" I asked, my curiosity growing by the minute.He beamed, a mischievous look in his bright green eyes."I got us information" he purred.

I raised a brow, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips. "Care to elaborate, sweetheart?" I drawled.

"You asked me to find out what our rivals are planning. Well, I didn't need to do so much. This is my sister, Veronica. I believe she's been helping our rivals. She knows what they're up to"

"How brilliant of you, Ric. You have always been so smart. What's our next plan, Ric?" I asked.He smirked."First, we find out what the pests are planning. Next, we make things difficult for them. Then, we'll find a way of preventing the Red Wolf from showing up during the blood moon. What do you think?""I think it's a wonderful strategy. Now, let's begin the interrogation. You can rouse her now" I said, leaning back on my chair. Ric dragged his sister to a sitting position and removed the gag from her mouth. He dragged her across the room until she was leaning on the wall. Then he pressed his hand to the sides of her head for a few seconds. She let out a gasp and sat upright, her big green eyes reflecting her confusion."Ric-- What's going on?" She asked, taking in her surroundings.Ric walked away from her and moved to my side.Veronica gasped, her eyes widening. I'm guessing she knows exactly who I am.Her eyes darkened with rage and disgust."So this is what you've been up to, Ric? I thought you were better than this"Ric laughed."Dear sister, I don't care about what you think of me. I brought you here for a reason, don't you want to know what is it?"

"What do you want?" Veronica spat.I rose to my feet, staring her down but she seemed to have a stubborn and daring personality. She refused to look away.I squatted in front of her and placed a finger beneath her chin. "Don't make things worse for yourself, Veronica. All you have to do is tell me everything you told Theo. All you have to do is tell me what they're up to" For a second there, she almost fooled me when she stared at me innocently."Fine, you know what? I'm going to help you. I'm going to give you everything you want when I'm dead" she hissed."That can be arranged, sweet Veronica"She snarled and spat right on my face.She's such a brat!"That's settled then. Congratulations, sweetie. You've only worsened your situation" I purred, stroking her hair as she glared daggers at me.

******

THEO

I stared blankly at my reflection in the mirror. I'd just showered and my mind had become a whirlwind of thoughts. If it were up to me, I would avoid going to the night court but this was something I couldn't escape. I had to do it for the safety of all the people I love. I closed my eyes, mentally reaching out for Devon even though she was just beyond the bathroom door. She was just as nervous and dejected as I was. I know it sounds crazy but, knowing that she feels just the same way as I feel about going to the night court, makes me feel like I'm really not alone. Luke wouldn't mind supporting me but he was in a bad place presently. He was depressed. Recently, his aura has been dulled to a very light gray that has been frayed at the edges. Lucy has been trying to help him heal but I know he's not going to get over Amyra's betrayal just like that. He's been having difficulties reaching his powers too.I wasn't as calm and collected as everyone thought I was. I was barely holding my shit together. Just the thought of entering the night court made me shudder. I was exhausted. I've been on the edge ever since the whole chaos began and it's wearing me out. I I stared at my reflection once again. 'What if I fail?''You fought your villainous uncle and killed him' said the dragon inside of me.'But, I died too', I replied'You're alive now, aren't you?' my demon- equivalent snickered.I rolled my eyes and moved away from the mirror. I walked out of the bathroom and started to get dressed. I could feel Devon's eyes on me and I could hear her thoughts. She was scared but was trying desperately not to give into her fears. She rose to her feet and held my hand."You're scared too" she said, placing a hand on the side of my face. "I am" I admitted, closing my eyes.She squeezed my other hand gently. "We'll find a way out of all this" she said. She kissed me, her hands locked around my neck."I'll make dinner. You must be hungry" she said and I smiled."Starving actually" I said and she laughed.I watched her leave my room with a smile tugging at the corner of my lips.The door creaked open and Luke walked in. He had a smile on his face."Hey" he breathed."Hey" "I heard that you're going to the night court" he said.I shrugged."I don't have much of a choice" I said.His gaze softened."I really wish I am not such a coward. I'm so sorry I let Amyra break me-""No, Luke. Don't say that. You didn't know she would do that to you. You loved her but she didn't. It's her loss. I understand what you're going through. I know you, Luke. You're my bestfriend and you've always been there for me. I don't want you to feel like you've disappointed me" I said.He sighed."I just wish I could go with you. I know you'll refuse and I'm not going to push it. I just want you to be careful. You must come back to us in one piece, Dae" I nodded, clasping a hand on his shoulder."You're allowed to feel pain, Luke but I do not want you to drown yourself in it. You're stronger than you give yourself credit for" He smiled, dull gray eyes filling up with tears.He embraced me.Luke walked in just as we pulled apart."Dinner's ready" he said, a small smile playing on his lips. Luke patted my back and left. Liam cleared his throat."I know I was mostly not a fan of you ever since I discovered the truth about you and Devon but I see what she sees in you now. You're indeed selfless and courageous. You deserve her, Theo. I have been a jerk to you most of the time, so let's call a truce?" He said."Sure, truce" I said, giving him a handshake."Just so you know, you're expected to come home alive. Not half dead" he said, patting my back. We all had dinner and at this point, I knew I had to be successful no matter what it took. They depended on me and I wasn't going to fail them. Finally it was time for me to leave. Devon hugged and kissed me. When my wings made appearance, I took a deep breath and opened a portal. Sparing them one last glance, I stepped into the portal and found myself at the entrance of the night court. Cold seeped into my bones, the heavy breeze forcing me to pull up my hood and hold my hand in front of my face. I knew I was going to have a hell of an adventure in the night court.