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***
I have been running without breaking for at least an hour when I start to feel a deep ache in my chest. I don't know how long I have been away from Gavin, but I am definitely feeling the effects of our separation. I steadily slow down until I can’t stand any longer and crawl under a low full tree, trying to keep myself somewhat hidden.
I rub my throbbing ankle and want to scream from the immense pain radiating through it.
"Crap, that hurts!" I whisper shout to no one.
I stay under the tree until the sun starts getting closer to the horizon, reminding me that soon, Thrane will know that I'm gone and come looking for me. I know I should get up and keep moving but my body is refusing to fight. My stomach is gurgling loudly from hunger and my sore heart is crying for Gavin.
I sink to the dirt under the tree and can't keep my eyelids from closing. I struggle with them, but it doesn't take long for total darkness to engulf me.
I jump awake at a strong pulling sensation in my chest. I swipe at my shirt, trying to get whoever is tugging me to leave me alone.
I focus my eyes in the twilight, and see that I am still alone, and nobody is tugging on me.
I rub my chest, but the tugging only continues to increase, as if there is a string wrapped around my heart that someone is pulling on.
"Gavin," I whisper in the soft glow of the set sun.
I know that the invisible string is pulling me toward him, so I use the remainder of my strength to grab a low hanging tree branch and pull myself up. I survey the area around me and find a long, crooked stick that I snatch up and hold against me for support.
Turning around in circles, I feel for the strong knot around my heart, until I am sure of the direction I need to go to find my Intended. I take off as fast as I can with my broken ankle and walking stick.
I try my best to ignore the burning that stretches from my foot to my knee. I know I am most likely doing serious damage to my injury by walking on it, but I can't give up yet. I know my hero is out there somewhere. He is always there when I need him the most.
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I continue until the sun is long gone and my negative thoughts start taking over. I start to doubt whether it’s worth it to keep going or if I should just wait for Thrane to come find me.
Maybe if I just lie down and fall asleep, I won't wake up again. That might be better than anything my future holds. Thrane won't just give up looking for me and what about that Barron guy? He obviously wants to kill me for some reason.
Gavin would probably stop looking for me once he can't feel me anymore. I don't even know what happens when a person's Intended dies. I hope it won't hurt him. It would free him up to find someone else.
Kassy and Liam will be happy with or without me, as long as Thrane doesn't go looking for her. I think about what could happen to Kassy if I am not there to be her protector. I can't let that happen. Thrane needs to die before I do. I can't let him get to her and do to her what he has done to me, or worse.
I pick up my pace again, relying on my connection with Gavin to get me where I need to go. I push through the pain and continue fighting. “This is not how my story ends.” I tell myself over and over until I believe it.
After another couple of hours of ridiculous hiking and slipping in the dirt, I feel raindrops start to hit my bare arms.
"Are you freakin’ kidding me? Rain? Really?" I whisper to the heavens, too afraid to use my full voice. I am starting to feel like someone up there has it out for me.
I continue to trudge along in the mud, now. I am shivering uncontrollably from the cold that has made its way to my bones and I begin fearing hypothermia.
“This is not how your story ends, Aella. Keep going.” I tell myself again.
When I am about to collapse from exhaustion, I feel a sudden hard tug on my heart to the left. I spin that way, right before something slams into me and two strong arms encircle me, pulling me into an extremely warm cocoon. Electricity moves through my body and I gasp loudly from the amazing sensation.
I bury my face in the spicy pine scented neck of my beautiful hero and shake even harder from relief as my dry eyes try to produce happy tears.
"Gavin," I breathe out his name.
"Aella," Gavin whispers in my ear like a prayer. He pulls away from me, just enough to see my face and his golden eyes are lit up like an inferno. His warm hand touches my swollen cheek tenderly and a deep noise rumbles in his broad chest.
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I read the regret in his eyes and take his hand from my cheek, lacing my chilled fingers with his.
"I'm all right," I lie to him. "It's just a little bump." I try to force a small smile and flinch a little from the stretching of my hurt skin.
He closes his eyes and shakes his head. He places his forehead against mine and pulls me closer to him with his arms wrapped tightly around my waist. "I thought I'd never see you again.
I couldn't breathe," he says with gut wrenching sincerity.
I breathe in all of him and revel in the lightness of my heart from his touch. We stand there in silence for a moment and then I
