66!

LIAM

“I'm not sure she should come with us, she will be safe here where the shadow can't get to her,” I said to Trish.

“She needs to be able to fight it and not just in the dream world,” Trish said and scoffed. “What better place than the battlefield?” She asked.

“I won't put men at risk!” I yelled.

“So what, Brianna is a risk? What's wrong with you men when you are at war,” she scoffed and turned.

“He is right, Trish,” I heard Brianna's voice. I looked towards her, she looked pale and drained. Just her looking like this, I can't take her with us.

“Well, I'm not leaving without you. Which means I'm not going,” Trish said and I sighed.

“We need you Trish,” I said to her, looking at Ethan who shook his head.

“Well, I guess you don't really need me,” she said, walking past Brianna.

“Stop Trisha,” Brianna called out to her. “Look at me,” she held her shoulder. “I'm no good to anyone looking like this on the battlefield,” Brianna said to her.

“I might be the most powerful witch this generation have ever since but you and Layla make that possible which means you are just as powerful.”

Wow, I have never seen anyone talk themselves down and up just to make their friends feel better.

“You are a powerful werewitch and you are going to kick ass, no matter what,” Brianna said and Trish laughed.

“I see what you did there,” she said to Brianna.

“Yeah, putting human words together with werewolves,” Brianna said and they both laughed.

“She will be ready when you all are,” Brianna said without looking at me. It was like she was trying to avoid eye contact.

I caught Ethan watching Trish as she left with Brianna.

“Why aren't you guys talking?” I asked him as we prepared our guns.

“We haven't been speaking since that day at the hospital,” he said and I sighed.

“I'm sorry, bro,” I said to him and he nodded.

“Well, you should be okay, Mason. You don't have to deal with all of this,” Ethan said to Mason, deflecting and trying to tick him off.

“What's that supposed to mean?” Mason asked him.

“Well, you haven't fulfilled the mate bond with Layla so you are in the clear,” Ethan had totally forgotten Layla was in the room with us.

“I'm right here, Ethan,” Layla said and he kind of flinched.

“Wow, Layla you are quiet. I didn't see you there,” I turned to look at Layla and she was throwing glares at him.

“Sorry, Layla,” Ethan said, sharply and I smirked.

“I think you meant, My apologies, Princess Layla,” I said to him and he gasped.

“No way,” he walked over to Layla and ticked her. I looked at Mason, he tried not to be moved by the news.

“It's not official yet, I have to be crown,” she said.

“Well, Father will do just that once we get back to the kingdom,” I said looking at her. She nodded at me and looked towards Mason.

“Congratulations,” Mason said, not taking his eyes away from his gun. “You were always a princess,” he said and walked away from the tent.

“Don't say a word, Ethan,” Layla said as she walked out of the tent as well.

“Can you believe him?” Ethan said. He was pissed.

“You should steer clear of their business and settle things with Trisha, she doesn't sound like the woman you want to mess with,” I said to him.

“Huh?” He scoffed.

“What was that?” I placed my gun on the table.

“It's just a black pot calling the kettle black,” he mocked me. “Have you even said a word to Brianna all morning?” He asked.

FLASHBACK

“She's not waking up!” I yelled at Trish and the healers.

“She won't wake up until she wants to,” Trish said to me.

“What if she doesn't want to?” I asked, holding Brianna's body tight.

“Your highness, this is Major Sultana. The Duchess spoke to her yesterday,” Akire said to me.

“The serum didn't work?” The Major said as she crawled over to Brianna's bed.

“I need you to tell me everything you told the Duchess,” I said to her firmly.

“I told her to fight sir,” she said. “According to what we know in the books, the shadow and the light are drawn to each other. The Duchess is the light, she must be careful not to be consumed by the darkness or else.”

“Or else what?” I asked.

“Your highness, the shadow might be able to change faces, her grace might think she's with you wherever she is right now.”

FLASHBACK ENDS.

“Prepare the men Ethan will leave soon,” I said as we walked out of the tent.

I walked towards my father's tent. I got in to see a lot of healers in it. I walked towards his chambers to see Adrian whispering to him.

“You shouldn't stress father,” I said to Adrian.

“Having a word with my father before I go into battle isn't stressing him, Liam,” he said.

“Walk away now,” I said, moving towards him.

“That's enough!” My father yelled with all his strength. “You two are supposed to be brothers, have each other's back. Don't be against each other.”

“Too late for that,” I said. Adrian's eyes narrowed, looking straight at me. “I'm guessing he is wondering what I meant by that.

Fortunately, he hasn't found out that we know he's the one feeding information to Castillo.

He stood in front of me, our heads were almost touching. “Happy hunting, brother,” he said and walked out of the tent.

“Leave us,” I said to the healers. It was just me and my father in the tent.

“What did he say to you?” I asked my father.

“He came to gloat. Not that I'm surprised,” my father said.

“I just can't believe Adrian will betray us like this,” I said to him.

“He knows that I know,” my father took my hands. “But what he doesn't know is the plan you have for Castillo,” he coughed violently.

“The plan will work father, I'm sure of it,” I said, bodly.

“I know it will. The future of our people depends on it,” he said.

“Don't I know it,” I sighed looking at him.

“Where is Brianna, I thought you were bringing her with you,” he searched around the tent with his eyes.

“Something happened last night, Father. She will be here with Mason,” I said and he nodded.

“Good luck, Liam. May the Goddess and gods be with you,” I bent and kissed his hands.

I walked out and went straight for Brianna's tent. Akire let me through, Brianna was the only one in the tent.

“Brianna,” I called her name softly.

“You are leaving,” she said, standing up.

“Yes, just came to say goodbye and good luck,” I walked towards her and she did the same.

“I didn't mean,” we both started talking at the same time. I looked at her as she smiled.

“We should stop doing that,” she said and I nodded.

“I agree but then we can't help it. With the mind link,” I said, pointing to both our heads.

“I shouldn't have ran away from you when I woke up from the dream world,” she said with her eyes down. “I didn't mean to, it's just..”

I brought her head up and shut her up with a kiss. “You don't have to apologize,” I said to her and she smiled.

“I didn't mean to stay clear of you. I just thought you needed it.”

“Maybe I did but I wanted you to at least know I wasn't scared of you. What I did was just a reflex from what I saw in the dream world,” she looked at me as I stared into her eyes.

“You are so beautiful,” I said and she touched my hand that was on her face.

“That shouldn't be what you are thinking of right now,” she teased.

“With you on my mind, I'm sure I can still do anything I want because you will be guiding me.”

I placed my hands down, “are you ready?” I asked.

“We put on a really good show for Adrian. I will be ready with Mason once you give the signal,” she said and I nodded.

I turned around and walked towards the entrance of the tent.

“Liam,” I heard her concerned voice but I didn't turn. If I turn, I will want to kiss her again but I can't. I have to go.

“This is our one and only shit,” she said without me turning. I smiled because she understands why I didn't.

“Get those two sons of bitches.”

“Oohrah!”