Come With Me

Come With Me
"Are you not happy to see me?" Elias asked, frowning ever so slightly.

"I just..." I didn't even know how to explain the torrent of emotions that were rushing through me right now. "I just don't understand."

Honestly, that was the best I could even think of. How the hell did he even manage to sneak in here without getting caught? Why would he come? Before his bitch of a fiance kidnapped me, he rejected me entirely. Was he here to possibly claim his blood source back?

"How can you not understand?" Elias demanded, his frown deepening. "Do I need to spell it out for you?"

"What are you..."

I didn't get the chance to finish my question as he moved forward, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me into the shadow of the much too large palm frond that he had been hiding behind before.

Once he was sure that we were out of sight of any possible prying eyes, he placed his finger on my chin and pushed, causing my head to lift. Eyes growing wide, I watched as his head came closer to mine until his lips were brushing against mine.

At first, his kiss was feather soft and hesitant, as if he didn't quite trust my reaction. It was only when I didn't react that he placed his lips against mine more firmly while his eyes fluttered shut.

With just that simple action from Elias, so many emotions rushed through me, from guilt to confusion to finally settling on desire. A desire so strong it shook me to my core. It wasn't anything like what I felt for Vladimier since having my memories returned. It was all-consuming, and it spurred me to wrap my arms around his neck, trying to pull him closer.

"Do you understand now?" Elias murmured, pulling away, causing a whimper of dissatisfaction to escape me.

"I don't." I whispered, unable to trust my own voice. "You shouldn't be here."

"Then come back with me." He said, suddenly pulling away entirely so that his eyes could meet mine. The look I found within them was nothing I had ever seen from him before. There was so much desperation and so much fear in them that it broke my heart into a million pieces. "Valerie, I know that I didn't treat you right. I know that I hurt you, but I promise that if you just come back with me, I will do everything in my power to make it up to you. Can't you see that I need you?"

With my eyes growing wide, I tried to process exactly what he was saying. Gone was the cold and arrogant prince that I had grown to know and love. In his place was a desperate man who was full of regret and hurt.

This Elias was so foreign and yet so familiar. He looked so vulnerable that it hurt, but I knew that I couldn't sway.

"Why are you suddenly doing this?" I asked, quietly searching his face. "Why now?"

Why did he have to suddenly come here with all these sweet words and promises after Vladimier found me again? Didn't he know how much he was confusing me and the inner turmoil he was putting me through?

"Because I was a fool before." Elias responded seriously. "They truly were onto something when they said that you don't know what you have until it's gone."

"Meaning?" I pushed, and even though I had a feeling, I wanted to hear it. I needed to hear it from him. Even if it is the last time that I hear it from his lips, "What are you trying to say?"

"Valerie," Elias began, grabbing my hands. "Would you believe me if I said I love you?"

With those three simple words, I felt the world shatter around me. All that time I was with him, I had only hoped he would say that, and now here he was doing it. However, I couldn't feel overwhelmed with joy over it. The minute I began to even feel happy, Vladimier's face would appear, dashing that emotion away immediately.

Opening my mouth, I tried to think of a way to respond to Elias, just as the sound of footsteps began to make their way towards us and a familiar presence began to press against my skin.

"You need to go." I hissed, whirling around to begin to leave.

"I won't until you respond to my question." Elias said, stubbornly grabbing my wrist.

"What question are you even talking about?" I asked, craning my neck, trying to see exactly who was coming, though I had an idea. "There isn't time for this if you don't want to get caught."

"Will you come back to Allsbrook with me?" He urged, a hint of hope in his voice.

Turning slowly, I made myself meet his eyes. I knew that he was expecting me to respond, saying that I would, but I couldn't.

"I'm sorry."

Taking advantage of Elias' momentary shock from my response, I yanked my wrist free and rushed forward. Looking back once more, I took in his still form as he watched me with an unfathomable expression on his face.

As I continued to move farther and farther away, I could feel my heart breaking into a million tiny pieces. This time hurt so much more than the last, but I couldn't cause him trouble, and I couldn't hurt Vladimier either. Silently, I hoped that he would eventually understand the reason I made the choice I made, and even if he didn't, that was no longer my problem.

"Valerie."

Gasping, I found myself almost colliding with Vladimier, who had a look of worry on his face.

"What's wrong?" He asked quickly, a frown forming on his face. "What happened?"

Pulling me into a hug, he looked around, clearly trying to find whoever it was that hurt me. Letting out a shaky breath, I began to try to wriggle free enough to meet his gaze.

"Sorry, I'm just tired." I lied, hoping that he wouldn't see through it. "Too much excitement for one day."

"Really?" He asked, not looking entirely convinced. "Are you sure that is all that is wrong?"

"I'm sure." I assured, trying to plaster a fake smile on my face. "I think all I need is some rest. Would you be willing to escort me?"

I needed to get Vladimier away from here so that Elias could escape. I knew that I was betraying his trust by doing this, but my traitorous heart still screamed for the arrogant prince's safety.

"Sure." Vladimier finally responded, letting out a long breath. Though I was sure that he still wasn't fully convinced of what I was saying, but it seemed that he wasn't going to question me further. "Let me just go say bye to a few people, and then I will meet you at the exit."

"Okay."

Bending down, he placed a kiss on my forehead, sending a wave of guilt through me. I couldn't help but wonder if Elias saw it and what he felt when he did. It was only when Vladimier was out of sight that I dared to peek behind me, but to my relief, Elias was no longer where I left him.

"This is for the best." I reminded myself as more waves of pain shot through me. "Just forget him."

Starting from this moment, I needed to truly let Elias go; otherwise, I would never be able to be happy with Vladimier. After all, I promised forever to him first, and I couldn't break my word after everything we had been through. Even if it meant giving up my happiness, I would see this through.