hapter 84


    Darren


    I dragged another fallen enemy across the blood-soaked earth, my body screaming in protest.


    "Another one," I grunted to myself, tossing the limp form atop the pile with a dull thud. I wiped the sweat from my brow as I looked over the battlefield. It had been a non-stop onught for days. I haven''t even had time to send a message to Ally. I can imagine her blue eyes as she sits in our bedroom. She was probably worried and each day without contact would make it worse. I have been fighting to the brink of exhaustion. Copsing for an hour or two of sleep and then right back at


    it..


    it


    There were so many vampires... many were new. When they took over these towns, those who lived there either became food or new vampires. They were building their army. If that wasn''t enough, the demons who have joined them were also well prepared.


    I was barely able to catch my breath and another battle would arrive. I surveyed the chaos around me, that had be a frequent sight. In all honesty, we needed help. This war wasn''t going to end quickly. I was confident we would still win the war, but it was going to take time.


    A heavy set of footsteps approached and I didn''t need to look to know it was Ivan. His presence was constantly near me ... as if


    he had taken on the sole duty to be my protector.


    "Darren," he called out, his deep voice rough like gravel. I nced over to see his face smeared with blood and dirt. He looked weary as his concerned gaze swept


    over me.


    "It was a rough one today. I felt like they kept pouring in. They weren''t strong but their numbers were exhausting."


    “Such a waste of life..... not that they care.” He sighed, searching my eyes. "How is your temper?"


    I let out a humorless chuckle, shaking my head in disbelief. "Surprisingly well," I admitted.


    “But it''s a thin thread, Ivan. Without Allissa by my side..." My voice trailed off, the longing for her hitting me with the force of a maul. She was my anchor, the soothing balm to the beast raging within me. Saying her name like that made my heart pang with longing.


    "She is with you, Darren. Her heart is with you."


    I watched as a small smile spread across his lips. He could see the pain on my face. My biggest wound right now was not having her near me. "How is your brother doing?"


    "The fairies have done wonders with their magic. The poison''s losing its grip on him. He''ll recover."


    "That''s great to hear." I knew it was a relief for Ivan. He didn''t like being in charge. It was a role he didn''t want. The crown was


    something he had never been after.


    "You need some rest, Darren. Even kings need to heal."


    Before I could respond, a familiar voice pierced the air with its sardonic lilt. "Well, look at these two ckers skipping out of clean up after the party.” Finn strode in front of us, his clothes torn, blood staining them. He looked exhausted, yet, his amber eyes sparkled with mirth. Only Finn could find humor on the battlefield.


    "I supplied most of the bodies so it is up to the ckers to pick them up." I smirked, listening to Finn''s chuckle.


    "I won''t deny that. You were like awn mower destroying the weeds." Finn then looked up. "Speaking of destroying weeds. Herees the flying goat and her rider."


    "You really aren''t funny." Dayanara jumped off her griffin, pushing her red locks of hair behind her ear. "You men look like hell."


    "Well; we all don''t get to wave a wand and say


    ''Bibbidi-bobbidi-Boo''," Finn grinned at Dayanara clicked her


    tongue.


    "I didn''t hear youining when I saved your life. And don''t even begin to act


    like I am not doing anything up there. I can''t believe-"


    "Got her." Finn grinned as Ivan let out a tiredugh. Chapter 84


    "He trolled you. Hook, line, and sinker." Ivan''s eyes lit up and a small chuckle left my lips. Dayanara was fitting right in with our group. I noticed she seemed to follow me during battles, and I couldn''t help but feel like this was intentional. As if she was watching over me on Ally''s behalf.


    "Darren, what are you still doing here? The dead aren''t going anywhere. We finally have a reprieve from battle. Go and write to your mate. She will be worried sick and I wouldn''t put it past her toe charging after you." She snapped at me, taking her frustrations with Finn out on me. "Go, write to her, tell her you love her... all that sappy mate stuff." She then winked at me and I nodded my head.


    "Thank you... I''m going to get a letter out to her."


    "And then sleep!" Ivan growled. "We need to rest well now because who knows when the next break wille." He was right. Right now, for a brief minute, I could step away from the


    carnage.


    "Send her my love." Finn teased with a wink.


    "Careful, Finn." I growled, listening to himugh as I walked away. That damn vampire loved provoking people. I dragged my feet back to the encampment and sat at my makeshift desk.


    Forgive me, my love. War has been a jealous keeper and has prevented me from writing to you. I''m sorry you are unable tomunicate with me. They will be allowing letters to cone in batches soon but they can''t arrive freely. Gods, Ally... I miss you. There is a hollow ce in my heart that will remain until Chapter 84


    you are in my arms again.


    The pen danced between my fingers as I thought about what I wanted to say. I didn''t want her to know how brutal the fighting was. It would worry her more if she knew that we haven''t had time to even sleep.


    The nights have been long without you. How did I ever live without you by my side? I miss yourughter, your smile, your beautiful blue eyes, and your heavenly scent. I treat this war as if it is the obstacle keeping me away from you. Each battle is full of enemies that are preventing me from being by your side. You can imagine it is not ending well for those who Ie up against.


    I hope you are well and that our growing pup is being kind to you. It may be a while before I can write to you again. Please, don''t worry. I promise I will visit as soon as I can.


    I would never have enough paper to write everything that I want to tell her in my heart. I can''t believe I am reduced to writing her a letter. I am going to have a discussion about phone calls. I need to hear her voice. Especially, if I am not going to be able to visit her anytime soon. I look at the paper in front of me, my eyes blurring from exhaustion. I needed to finish this so I could


    rest.


    I will never have enough words to tell you how much I love you and how badly I miss you. But I know that you understand my heart, my love. Wait for me. I promise / will return to y soon. Not as a king, not just as your mate, but as your man who is ready to worship your body. My heart is with you and only beats


    Chapter 84 for you.


    With all my love,


    Darren.


    I sighed and looked up at the tent ceiling. Gods, Ally, I never knew true agony until


    this moment. This is the worst source of torture to ever exist. I love you so much and it is physically painful to be away from you. I''m trying my love... I''m fighting hard for you... and our future.


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