Chapter 52

It has been a day, and he still hasn’t woken up. Dan lay on the bed so still that at times I had to lean closer to make sure he was still breathing.

His face was pale, like he’d slipped into some unreachable place. I sat on the edge of the bed, my fingers hovering above his hand. I hope whatever dream he is having is not a nightmare.

Every hour since we brought him back had dragged by like a lifetime. I’d barely eaten. I hadn’t slept. My mind kept replaying the moment we found him, his body cold, limp, the man who once terrified and loved me more than anyone, reduced to a shell of himself.

I wanted to shake him awake and scream at him for leaving, disappearing, and making me lose my mind searching for him. But all I could do was whisper his name and hope that somehow, wherever he was, he could still hear me.

Luca stood by the door, arms crossed, his eyes heavy with worry. “He should’ve woken up by now,” he muttered. “We should’ve taken him to a hospital.”I shook my head, thinking of the paparazzi flooding the hospital. So many people would be happy to see his downfall, and I wouldn’t wish that on him.

“I don’t think they can help,” I said quietly. “They wouldn’t know what to do with him.”

He sighed, pacing.

“And what makes you think we do?” I sighed, unable to say anything to him.

I didn’t have the will to tell Luca that I also don’t know what to do; it would’ve been better if I knew what happened to him, but I don’t.

My shoulders felt heavy as I carried the weight of the things I had done. I blinked back the tears as I thought about the soul I took. I had lost control and took a woman’s life; I did that.

And now the man I loved was lying unconscious, and I didn’t know if he would ever wake up. My hand brushed his cheek. “Please, Dan,” I whispered. “Don’t do this to me.”

The sound of heels on the floor broke the silence. I didn’t even have to look up to know who it was. Victoria’s presence carried a chill that seemed to seep through the walls.

“You’re still here,” she said, her voice cold and clipped as she entered the room. She is probably referring to Luca; they dislike each other. But I don’t blame Luca; it’s not easy being around Victoria.

Her eyes landed on Dan, then on me. “Has there been any change?”

“No,” I said, straightening up. “He hasn’t moved.” She walked closer, every step measured, and for a moment, she just stood there, looking down at her son. She pretends like she cares, but she couldn’t even take an hour of her time to help us look for him.

Then she reached out and pressed a hand to his forehead. A faint shimmer of frost appeared where her palm touched him, small crystals spreading like thin ice before fading away.

Luca froze. “What was that?” Victoria ignored him, her tone sharp. “His energy is blocked. Something is binding him.”

“Binding him?” I repeated. “By who?” She turned to me, her eyes narrowing slightly. “You tell me. Emerald, you’ve been at the center of every storm since you arrived. Why should this be any different?” The accusation hit like a slap across the face. How could she accuse me when I was all her son had when she wasn’t around?

“You think I did this to him?” My voice cracked under its weight. “I’ve done everything to save him! And you just sat there and watched while I roamed the streets, worried about him.”

“You cared so badly that you killed someone?” she snapped, her gaze cutting straight through me. I scoffed at her, shaking my head. “Of course, you know about that.” She has a way of knowing things without being told.

Luca stepped forward. “That woman was threatening Dan; she was part of the setup. Emerald did what she had to do.”

Victoria’s lips curled. “Convenient justification.”

“Enough!” I yelled, getting up from my seat. “You don’t get to talk to me like that! Not after everything you’ve done to this marriage!” Her expression hardened, a flicker of power glowing faintly around her hands.

The air turned cold, and for a moment, I swore I saw frost climb up the edge of the bedpost. I clenched my fists, forcing myself to calm down. “You don’t scare me, Victoria. But I want to focus on my husband, not you.”

Victoria’s glare softened just a little as she looked down at her son again. “You might not have to fight me, but you must help me.” My breath caught. Why would she need my help? She seems robust enough.

“What do you mean?”

“There’s an energy linked to his mind. Whatever happened to him keeps his soul trapped between this world and the next.” Luca frowned.

“You mean he’s not dead but not alive either?” She nodded grimly. “I may not be sure, but I think so.” I felt a lump rise in my throat. “How do we bring him back?”

Victoria finally met my gaze. “You. You’re connected to him through the bond. You’ll have to reach him from within. But it’s dangerous.” My heart thumped against my chest as I thought of the risks I might encounter if I agreed to this.

“I don’t care,” I said immediately. “Tell me what to do.” She hesitated. “If you fail, the bond could consume you both.” I stepped closer to the bed, my heart pounding. “Then I can’t fail.”

Luca grabbed my arm. “Emerald, you’re pregnant-”

“I’m not losing him,” I said, my voice firm, final. Victoria’s expression softened for the first time.

“Then focus. If there’s truly love between you, it may be enough to pull him back.”

She placed her palm on my back, her touch cold but steady. “Close your eyes.”

I did. My world went dark. All I could hear was my heartbeat, then Dan’s, faint, buried deep somewhere inside the silence.

Victoria’s voice came through, distant and echoing. “Follow the connection, follow his voice.” The world around me shifted. The air thickened, heavy with heat and shadow. I stood in a vast, dark space filled with flickering embers, each whispering his name.

“Dan?” My voice trembled. “Where are you?” There was no answer; the only thing I could hear was the echo of the wind.

Standing near an unlit fire, I saw him, his back to me. His shoulders tensed, like he was trapped in thought. I ran to him, beaming.

“Dan!” He turned slowly, eyes distant, hollow. “You shouldn’t be here,” he said softly. Tears stung my eyes. “You left me. You walked away.”

“I had to,” he murmured. “I was protecting you.”

“Protecting me?” I took a step closer, shaking. “From what? From love? From the truth?” His hand twitched, and I saw a flicker of heat ripple around him, fire like mine, but darker.

“I don’t understand.“ I whispered, reaching for his hand. “I need you.” The moment our fingers touched, a surge of energy exploded between us. A shockwave of light threw us apart.

I gasped awake, the real world slamming back into me. My lungs burned, my vision blurred. Victoria was kneeling beside the bed, her hand on Dan’s chest.

“His pulse,” she said breathlessly. “It’s stronger.” I looked down, tears finally spilling over. “Dan?” I whispered.

His lips parted, his voice weak, and he slightly opened his eyes and stared at him, eyes wide open.

“Who are you?”