Promise Me

Promise Me
\[Lucian’s POV\]
I wait while those around me consider what I’m saying. I’m certain that they have their doubts since they don’t trust me. Hell, I wouldn’t be so willing to go along with such a plan either if someone I barely knew suggested it, but we were running out of time.
Each passing minute without Pandora in my sights was painful, and right now all I wanted to do was run to her side.
“Can the ones you mentioned be trusted?” Pandora’s father’s voice is even and calculating, and I know that he still has his doubts about everything. “Are you certain that they won’t betray us?”
“I swear on my life.” I tell him. “There aren’t many I can trust since I’m considered an abomination amongst them, but there are some who I know would take my secrets to the grave.”
“Then get them in action.”
It’s a simple instruction, but one that I have no issues with following.
Nodding, I begin to reach out into the darkness, searching until I feel Pei’s familiar essence.
‘Lucian!’ He gasps, his voice filled with relief and fear. ‘Where are you? What happened?’
‘What’s the word back there?’ I ask instead.
Since I was gone for a few days, I was certain that everyone was on high alert for me, but I wasn’t going to be easily captured by them.
‘They’ve deemed you a traitor.’ Pei admits.
I’m not shocked in the slightest by what he is saying. Honestly, I expected as much, and since things were going exactly how I expected, I knew that taking the underground tunnels was certainly the best course of action.
‘What happened?’ Pei pushes, clearly not letting me get away with not answering his first question. ‘Are you okay?’
‘More or less.’
I was a little worse for wear, but that was fine. Since Aspen was now with me, I was healing faster, and I would be able to fight Lux properly. Of course, I couldn’t possibly let my secret be revealed, not yet.
‘I was tailing Lux, and he caught me.’ I explain. ‘Needless to say, I’ve been in Crimson Moon recovering.’
‘Crimson Moon,’ he hisses, his words filled with shock. ‘Why on earth…’
‘I’ll explain everything later.’ I assure him. ‘Right now I need your help.’
Growing quiet, I wait while Pei processes what I’ve said to him, and I can only hope that he doesn’t disagree since he knew what it would mean.
Don’t doubt him. I tell myself as that single thought even hits. If anyone was willing to lay down their life for you, it is Pei.
‘Name it.’ Pei responds. ‘Anything.’
‘I need you and the others to create a diversion when I tell you to.’ I tell him. ‘Lux has managed to kidnap the princess of Crimson Moon, and I and a few others will be coming there to save her, but we need our arrival to be covered up by a distraction.’
‘Are you crazy?’ Pei demands. ‘You’re public enemy number one, and you’re willingly waltzing right back into Onyx Moon? Do you have a death wish?’
‘Not yet.’ I chuckle. ‘But I also can’t just sit back and wait for the princess to be saved. Pei, you don’t know it yet, but one day you will. She is the most important person to me. Followed by you and the others who have stayed beside me.’
Goddess, I was being sentimental right now, but I knew that there was a chance I may not get to say any of this again.
‘For that, I thank all of you.’
‘Why do you sound like you may be dying?’ Pei demands. ‘What are you planning?’
‘Not my own death.’ I assure him. ‘But we are in the time of war, and there is no guarantee that any of us will come out alive. Now,’ I continue, wanting to get things moving. ‘I need you and the others to be on the ready, so wait for my call.’
‘Yes.’
It’s the last thing he says before I cut our connection and then turn my attention back to Owen and Pandora’s dad.
“My people are ready and waiting for my command.” I announce, and they give me a look that irritates me. “We can proceed with the plan.”
“What about the children?” Owen asks, turning to the group that clings to one another, watching and waiting for whatever is to come. “We can’t just leave them.”
“I’ll take care of them.” Pandora’s mother announces, coming into view. “You just do what it is that you need to.”
“Honey,” Pandora’s father gasps, eyeing his wife. “How long…”
“Long enough,” she tells him before turning her gaze to me. “You must bring her back at all costs, got me?”
“Yes, ma’am.” I respond as I get the feeling that she knows something. “Even if I die doing it, I will make sure that she is returned to you safely.”
“I trust you.” She smiles. “However, I would like it if you returned safely as well. I have a feeling that my daughter wouldn’t take it easily if something happened to you, now would she?”
“I don’t think she would.” I chuckle. “I’m certain if I did even dare to die, she would hunt me down and bring me back to the world of the living just so she could kill me herself.”
At my words a small laugh escapes Pandora’s mother, followed by a growl of annoyance from her father. It’s clear that he has no idea what is actually happening, but I’m certain that the woman who Pandora takes after so much would tell him eventually.”
“Then promise me that you’ll come back with my daughter.” Pandora’s mother says. “Only then can I remain here calmly.”
“I will.” I promise. “And when I return with her, I will promise to remain by her side and protect her no matter what happens.”
“I’ll hold you to it. Now all of you get going.”
“Right.” Pandora’s father says. “Let’s move out immediately.”
Finished speaking, he begins to move, all the while not bothering to turn and see who exactly is following, but I know that he doesn't need to do such a thing. Just the way Owen and the guards that hang around fall into formation behind him tells me everything I need to know. Unlike Onyx Moon, Crimson Moon was a pack that was utterly in sync with one another. Trust was something that was guaranteed, and that alone amazed me.
One day. I think, beginning to follow them. One day, Onyx Moon will be like this too, and when that happens, I will propose to Pandora properly and make her my bride.