I Need You

The days passed in a blur, each one melding into the next as we worked tirelessly to stabilize the kingdom after the king’s fall. I knew we would be busy once the king was removed from power, but I had no idea how busy. The responsibilities were endless, and the weight of leadership pressed heavily on my shoulders. I had only spent a small amount of time with Damon in the evenings. Outside of that, we only saw each other in passing. I believed he was giving me space, but that was the last thing I wanted right now.

The evening moon was high in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the bustling courtyard. I found myself wandering through the maze of people and makeshift shelters, my thoughts consumed by Damon. The air was cool, and the sounds of the night creatures blended with the distant murmur of voices and the occasional clink of armor. The scent of pine and earth filled my senses, grounding me in the present moment.

I finally spotted Damon near the edge of the courtyard, his silhouette outlined against the moonlit forest. He was speaking with a group of soldiers, his expression serious yet calm. As I approached, he looked up and our eyes met. A flicker of surprise crossed his face, quickly replaced by a warm smile.

“Damon,” I called softly, not wanting to interrupt but needing to be near him.

He excused himself from the group and strode over to me, his presence instantly soothing my restless mind. “I didn’t expect to see you out here,” he said, his voice gentle.

“I needed some air,” I replied, my gaze drifting to the stars. “And… I needed to see you.”

His eyes softened, and he reached out to take my hand. “I’ve missed you too,” he admitted, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. “But I thought you might need some space after everything that’s happened.”

I shook my head, stepping closer. “Space is the last thing I want right now. I need you, Damon. More than ever.”

He pulled me into a tender embrace, and for a moment, the chaos of the world faded away. In his arms, I found the strength I needed to face whatever came next. His heartbeat was a steady rhythm against my ear, a reminder that I was not alone in this fight.

“There is something I think we should talk about,” I finally spoke, breaking the silence.

He looked down at me, eyes filled with worry. “It sounds like this is serious.”

I nodded, looking around for anyone who could be listening in on our conversation. “Let’s discuss this in my room.”

Damon took my hand, leading me into the shadows. We made our way to my room with haste, the urgency of our mission propelling us forward. Once safe inside my walls, I took a seat on the couch. “I think we should investigate the veiled territories.” I blew out a huff, “Before the battle with the king, Deaken and I had made progress on the amulet. All the signs are pointing to something in the veiled territories.”

Damon’s expression darkened, and he hesitated, his eyes flickering with uncertainty. “The veiled territories… they’re treacherous. And without Deaken…” His voice trailed off, the weight of our loss hanging heavily in the air.

I felt a pang of sorrow but pushed it aside. “I know it’s risky, but we can’t ignore the clues. Deaken wouldn’t want us to stop now.”

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I just don’t want to lose you too. The thought of you in danger… it terrifies me.”

I reached out, taking his hand in mine. “We’ll be careful. We have to do this, Damon. For Deaken, for everyone.”

He looked into my eyes, the conflict clear on his face. Finally, he nodded, though his grip on my hand tightened. “Alright. But we need to be prepared. We can’t afford any mistakes.”

I nodded, feeling a mix of determination and anxiety. “We’ll gather the others and make a plan. The sooner we move, the better.”

Damon stood, pulling me up with him. “Let’s go. We have a lot to prepare for.”

As we left my room, a sense of urgency propelled us forward. The veiled territories awaited, and with them, the answers we desperately needed.

The corridor outside my room was dimly lit, shadows dancing on the walls as we hurried through. Damon’s grip on my hand was firm, a silent promise of protection. We descended the grand staircase, our footsteps echoing in the vast, empty hall. The castle felt eerily quiet, as if it too was holding its breath in anticipation of the journey ahead.

In the war room, the others were already gathered. Thron and Mira were in deep discussion, their voices low but intense. The atmosphere was thick with tension and unspoken fears.

I looked up as we entered, my eyes sharp and questioning. “Are we really doing this?”

Damon nodded, his jaw set with determination. “We have no choice. The veiled territories hold the key to everything. We can’t turn back now.”

Thron crossed his arms, his expression grim. “We’ll need to be at our best. Those lands are filled with dangers we can’t even begin to imagine.”

Mira stepped forward, her eyes blazing with resolve. “Then we’ll face them together. For Deaken.”

A murmur of agreement rippled through the room. I felt a surge of pride and gratitude for these brave souls who stood with us. We were more than a team; we were a family, bound by our shared mission and the sacrifices we had made.

Damon squeezed my hand, drawing my attention back to him. “We’ll need supplies, weapons, and a solid plan. Let’s not waste any time.”

We spent the next few hours meticulously planning our journey. Maps were spread out, routes were debated, and every possible scenario was considered. The weight of our task was heavy, but so was our resolve.

As the first light of dawn began to filter through the windows, we were ready. Armed and prepared, we stood at the castle gates, the veiled territories looming in the distance like a dark promise.

Damon turned to me, his eyes filled with a mixture of fear and hope. “Are you ready?”

I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

He placed a soft kiss on my head, “we will get through this together.” He rubbed small circles on my back, “just remember what we find my not be what we expect.”

I looked up at him unsure once more. “What if once we get to the border, we are unable to cross.”

“We will figure something else out,” he said with reassurance.

With a final, determined glance at each other, we stepped forward into the unknown, driven by the memory of Deaken and the hope of a brighter future.