Chapter 216

ELARA

"Hey! Can you stop being a dumbass? Now's not the time." Rowan shoved him on the chest. "Just so you know, I just don't trust her because she's my best friend. I trust her because I know who she is and know she'll never lie to me so blatantly. If she said she didn't do it, then of course, I believe her. And if you were in love with me, you'd believe me too."

A pressing silence filled the air as the two men continued to stare at each other in heated gazes. Until slowly, their rage began to dissipate.

"Elara is a good woman," Finn shook his head. "I know. Okay? I actually like and respect her. But it's hard to believe when she's the only Soulweaver we've had, plus she had a good reason to kill the Luna. Either way, I don't know how I can help, Rowan. I swore my loyalty to the King. Breaking Elara out would be a blatant betrayal. I can't do that."

Disappointment clouded Rowan's features. "Really? You won't do it even for me?"

"Rowan, come on. Don't try to make this about us. You know I'd love to-"

"No, I don't know nothing!" He rasped, taking some steps back. "Yet, you dare to wonder why I'm so attached to Elara? It's because she understands the concept of love. If the roles were reversed, Elara would've done anything for me. Too bad my best friend is more loving than the man I thought I was in love with."

He turned around.

"Hey! You don't get to say that! Do you hear me? You know I'd have done anything for you!"

But Rowan didn't look at him as he continued going to the door.

"Rowan, come on. We need to talk. Rowan-" Rowan's only response was the door opening and slamming shut.

Later in the day, he was in the garden, smoking quietly when Finn came. He simply glanced at him before looking away, taking a long drag from his cigar.

There was a brief silence between them until Finn threw a key at him.

"That's the spare key to her cell. I'll try to distract the guards when it's time so you can get her out. I'll also give you a map that'll lead you to the secret exits so you don't get seen by people."

Rowan felt a surge of warmth in his heart as he picked up the key from the floor, then looked at Finn with gratitude.

"Hey-"

"You don't ever get to say such trash to me-ever again, Rowan," Finn cut him off. "I'm not saying I'm perfect, but that doesn't mean you get to make me feel less of myself. Do you understand?"

"Yes. Yes. I'm so sorry. I swear, I was just mad and didn't mean what I said."

"I don't care if you meant it or not. Just let this sink in." He meandered into the distance.

***

RONAN

Unlike every other night when I'd been able to deal with my conscience, tonight was different and more complicated.

I was restless and couldn't stop pacing my room.

Everyone was waiting for my judgement, and unfailingly tomorrow, I'd have to give it to them. I always thought I'd be the kind of King who would have everything under control no matter the situation. Never did I think a situation would arise that would involve my mother being killed by my mate. It was unbearable. I needed to see Elara.

Unable to control the urge any further, I left my room. The guards stationed at my door followed me immediately.

"My King, where are you headed?" One of them asked.

"To the cell."

I didn't even know what I'd say to her. For a week, I'd been avoiding 'cause I wasn't sure how I'd handle this moment.

Now, however, I couldn't hold it in anymore. I didn't know what tomorrow would bring. So, we needed to have this talk.

My steps faltered when I reached the cell and found the guards out on the floor. The guards with me rushed forward to check them.

Instantly, it dawned on me.

I hastened my steps to the cell where she was being held even though I knew it was too late. As expected, the cell was open and empty. She was gone.

***

ELARA

I kept my arms wrapped around me as Rowan drove at a crazy speed. I couldn't stop looking in the rearview, afraid that someone might be after us.

We escaped a while ago and have already left the Crown City, but what if they've found my cell and there were people after us? It'd be worse if I got caught.

"You shouldn't be here," I said again, sniffling." You're putting yourself in danger. I told you, I can drive out myself."

"You really think you can survive being a fugitive on your own?" He snorted. "Trust me, you need me, Elara."

"No, I don't need to drag you into my mess." I sniffled again. "For how long will you need to protect me? What about Finn? I-I mean, he helped you and you're just gonna abandon him?"

He said nothing. I turned to look at him as I wiped a tear from my face. "You didn't tell him you were going with me, did you? He's probably back there, expecting you to come back."

When he remained silent and focused on the road, I got my answer.

"You can't do this, Rowan. It's bad enough that I ruined my life. I don't want to ruin anybody's." More tears rolled down my cheeks. They wouldn't stop running.

"Just stop, Elara. We both know you're not upset about me and Finn."

I broke into more tears as the pain became unbearable. My hands shielded my mouth in a vain effort to silence my weeping.

"I didn't get to see him. For over a week I was there and he didn't even come visiting. He didn't care about the fact that I lost our baby." "Don't be like that, Elara. You know things were messed up for him."

"Well, things were messed up for me too! I could've lost my life while I was being abused by the Luna. Besides, couldn't he have heard my own side of the story?"

I leaned my head against the window as I wept some more. "I just miss him, you know? That night, we'd just showered together. I was-I was supposed to go get a change of clothes from my room, then go back to his for a sleepover before the Luna attacked me. She ruined everyone. She ruined my life!"

Rowan's hand reached out to hold my hand, giving it a tight squeeze." Everything will be fine."

"It won't! Not when Ronan isn't here. Not when I lost my baby! Not when everything's so hopeless."

I dug my hands into my hair, pulling at my roots. Gods, I wished things were different. I wished Ronan was here right now and I didn't have to be in this car going away from him.