Breakdown

Breakdown


Chapter 173

Thane’s POV

I didn’t want to believe it… there was no way in hell I was going to lose her again. Not after all the shit we went through to get here and me loosing her once before. ‘’Ruby… talk to me… don't leave me again… please…’’ My whole being just crumbled as I pulled her slowly into my hold. I was cradling her like she was made of thin glass that could shatter if I spoke too hard. 

‘’Just answer me please… answer me… I love you, please don't leave me…’’ My voice cracked and sounded pathetic as I pulled her even closer to me. She was literally all I had left. I couldn't lose her again. Tears just fell down my cheeks, which was a first in centuries. 

The last time it happened was when I lost her the first time, and it felt just as shitty now. I wasn't strong. I wasn't some untouchable beast and  I definitely was nothing without her. She was my actual strength and living wasn't worth the effort if I didn't have her by my side. If I lost her now, there was no coming back since rainbow dragons could only be reincarnated one time after they died. 

My head fell low in defeat as I watched her peaceful face. Her eyebrows were furrowed like she was still stuck in whatever pain she felt right before the pillars had hit her. There was dust dancing on her darkened eyebrows and her makeup was all smudged and ruined by the dirt. 

‘’Please come back… I beg of you…’’ My shoulders dropped low and my pride was just laid out there in the dirt before me. I was slowly breaking down, and I could feel the coldness of ice spreading through my already stopped beating heart. My veins were freezing over as the coldness took over my entire body, and I knew I was losing myself to the darkness inside me. I didn't even want to stop it. Why should I care about anything when the whole world had lost its meaning? I was ready to just let the shadow swallow me whole. 

But right then, something caught my eye. There was a tiny movement in her chest area.

My body got as taunt as a spring and my ears sharpened until I picked up a sharp popping sound coming from her body in my hold. My eyes snapped down to see her chest that had been carved in suddenly popping out as her body was slowly healing itself with her bones snapping back into place and putting itself back in shape and i could even hear the light sound of her muscle stitching back together under her skin.

I couldn't even explain the sort of relief that snapped through me as my eyes immeditaely sharpened again and the world stopped being a blur. She was still alive… that was the only statement running through my head… She was still here.

Everything around me suddenly became clearer as my focus came back. I slowly pulled her body as carefully as I could into my hold, making sure not to move her too much so she wasn't in any extra discomfort while her ribs were still clicking back together. With her perfectly tucked in my hold, I slowly rose to my feet. I turned around to walk off when I paused in my tracks and actually looked at what I'd done to the area around us.

The entire space starting from where I had been kneeling was completely frozen off. Everything around the collapsed building, the police cars, the ambulances, and the houses close by was covered in a thick layer of ice and i could sight the humans were standing far off in the distance watching and not able to come any closer because they were terrified and also the thick layer of frost kept them off. 

I could see the light from their phone flashes in the distance as they recorded the whole thing and took pictures as the crowd was begining to grow by the second, and i didnt even need to thik twice to know that this would be on the news in no time.

The only person who was even remotely close was Lucas but even he had his feet stuck to the ground in the ice, and it was keeping him frozen like a statue as he was struggling to come off  but the ice was too thick.

With just one thought, I gave the command and the frozen ice that bound his feet up to his waist slowly let go. It cracked and melted just enough so he was then able to move his legs again. He stumbled a bit before hurrying up again.

‘’How is she…’’ Lucas’s voice trailed off as he rushed towards me. I could see the pure panic written all over his face as he looked at Ruby’s limp body in my arms, his face immedietly dropped and he looked like he was about to lose it himself at the sight of how injured she was as his eyes also darted to the pool of he rblood behind me.

‘’Her heart still beats.’’ That was the only brief reply I gave. I didn't have the energy for a full conversation or to explain anything and without another glance at Lucas or the frozen street behind me my shadows came pouring out of my back like a heavy black blanket as it slowly materialized into my wings.

With one huge swipe of those wings that cast a massive shadow on the ground, I went propelling up into the air with a loud bang. The mere force of my feet leaving the ground ended up cracking the thick ice that had covered the pavement and shattering it.

As I rose, i gave a command and liek ehat was being spread out the ice began to melt immediately and slowly the rest of the frozen-off areas began to melt off quickly as I glided into the dark sky. 

The sound of the humans gasping and the sirens wailing was left behind in an instant with my wings whipped harder in the air and pushing for every bit of momentum I could get, all the while moving carefully and I kept my hands shielding Ruby’s small frame from the harsh wind flashing by.

I flew in total silence, the only sound being the rush of air past my ears and most importantly I could feel the warmth slowly but surely returning to Ruby’s body in my hands. It was the best feeling in the world for me at that moment and even her heartbeat slowly got stronger.

She even began breathing again, although it was a bit irregular and shallow since her internal organs were still busy stitching themselves back together and healing the damage from the collapse. I adjusted my grip on her, making sure she was tucked tight against my chest where the wind couldn't reach her.

The view of my mansion soon came into full view and i cast my wings backwards, using them as brakes to slowly decrease my speed. I had originally planned to drop down at the front door of the mansion and carry her in through the main hall but just before I could touch down, I decided against it. I saw the lights on in the house and knew her father was likely in there waiting for our arrival.

‘’Her father shouldn't see her in such a state.’’ I murmured to myself, the words barely audible over the wind as I took off again, slowly gliding in the air as I did a wide detour around the side of the mansion until I reached the balcony of our bedroom. 

My wings slowly dispersed like a ball of black cloud as soon as my legs touched down on the stone floor. 

The balcony doors were already open with the long black curtains blasting and swaying to the sound of the wind. I moved through them and into the perfectly darkened room and I headed straight for the large bed in the center of the room and slowly laid Ruby down, being as gentle as I could with her body.

I didn't even mind the dried blood that had stained her red dress making it now almost completely black. I didn't care about the dust from the collapsed building that had followed her here and was now covering our black silk sheets. 

But all I was focused on was the steady, improving beat of her heart. I stood there for a second just watching her, seeing the rise and fall of her chest finally getting regular. 

‘’I’m sorry…’’ I whispered, the words feeling heavy in the quiet room. I took her hand in mine, squeezing it lightly as I bent low to lay a soft kiss on the back of her hand. Her skin was still a bit cold too.

It was all my fault. I was meant to be the one who protected her from everything, but I was the one who had thrown her into a situation where she could get hurt. I had let my guard down….

With a heavy heart, I slowly dropped her hand back onto the bed and then stood up to my full length as I slowly walked over to the closed door of the restroom.

I pushed the door open and walked in, heading straight for where the clean towels were hung. I fetched one up and moved to turn on the warm water. I needed to clean the dried blood and the filth of that hotel off her before she woke up.