Chapter Twenty Four

I had decided that it was best to leave. I had thought that Kai and I would have achieved good within the world, however, after months, all we had done was destroyed innocent lives.

I had cleaned the room Kai and I had stayed in, and reluctantly left the clothes. Today, I wore the same one I had worn the day of the ball, wanting to keep it. Prince Gordon had chosen it for me and I wanted something to remember him by.

I was now standing in front of his office, as when I had woken he was already gone. He had left behind a small note, saying thank you and that he would be busy within his office for most of the day if I needed him.

The enforcers were watching me warily, although some hadn't bothered to turn to me. "Can I see Prince Gordon?" I asked, waiting.

I thought they would snap at me and that I would be forced to leave without saying goodbye, but after a moment one knocked on the door.

"The shape-shifter is here to see you," he called, and after a second I could hear Prince Gordon reply.

"Allow her in."

The enforce them moved, nodding towards me. I quietly thanked him before opening the door and walking in.

Prince Gordon sat behind his desk, intently staring at paperwork with a pen in his hand. Occasionally, I could see him jot something down before returning to his reading.

"Good morning, päästja," I greeted, and he finally looked up, a smile appearing on his face.

"Good morning, Ivy. How did you sleep?" He asked, his face holding delight as a cub's might.

I smiled lightly at the sight before replying, "I slept wonderfully. How did you sleep?"

"I have not slept so soundly in a few month, my dear. Thank you," he said softly, a smile still on his face.

I found myself looking at the floor, clasping my hands together. I didn't think saying goodbye to him would be so hard.

"Ivy?"

I bit my lip, allowing myself a moment before I answered. "I have decided to take your offer to leave."

My words were followed by silence. When I still heard nothing, I looked up wondering whether I had spoken loud enough.

Prince Gordon's smile had left, replaced with a frown. My heart was constructed by the hurt swimming in his eyes, holding confusion and worry as well. I had upset him.

"It is not you, Cayne," I murmured, deciding to use his true name. It was the last time I would see him.

I walked towards the desk as he stood up, meeting him. My hand found its way to his face, tracing my scar.

"Then why?" He asked, his words quiet as if he spoke any louder, I would leave sooner.

I smiled, although it was a false one. I felt it slid from my face, unable to stay at the thought of leaving him. "Because I have to. This is not helping anyone, päästja. Everyone is hurting and it is because of me."

His frown deepened as he considered my words before he finally replied. "Ivy, I have told you that none of this is your fault. What will change if you leave?"

I was quick to answer, having thought about it for hours. "Kai will not be as angry as he is. He and I will leave and start the future he's always wanted. He will be happier than ever.

Everyone here will be safe from harm. The village will not have to worry about being attacked again, nor will parents have to worry if their children are next."

The next was said more softly. "You will not have to worry, päästja. You will be able to sleep again and stress less. Your people will be safe again, is that not something you want?"

His green eyes softened before I felt his hand take mine, gently pulling me closer to him. He kept my hand, lacing our fingers together, leaving them between us.

"My dear, there is someone I want you to meet."

I frowned, wondering whether he had heard a single word I had said. Kai did the exact same thing multiple times, and it was beginning to become a pet peeve.

"Before you leave, I would like you to meet her. She can perhaps shed some light onto your situation," he explained and I sighed.

"Päästja, I do not think a stranger will change my mind," I replied, watching as he smiled.

"She did not think she would change minds either, Ivy yet she did. Just allow her a chance before you leave," he reasoned, and I paused giving it some thought.

Meeting someone wouldn't cause harm. If I wanted to leave after, I still could. "Alright, I will give her a chance. Do not expect much," I told him, not wanting to give him hopes that I had changed my mind.

"We will depart tomorrow then. I will make note that things have escalated and need to be moved forward," he murmured, more to himself than to me.

His eyes returned back to me, his face serious. "Ivy, dear, I do not want you to leave," he started softly, cupping both of my hands in his own now. It was as if he was hoping his actions conveyed how much he meant this.

"You may think that you are causing my life to change for the worst, however, you are doing just the opposite of that, my dear. You have begun changing my life for the good. I am beginning to realize that there is more to life than work and family."

I smiled at him, leaning up, my face close to his as I nipped his nose. His eyes widened at the action, taken by complete surprise. I simply laughed, not bothering to explain. "Even a Prince deserves to delve in personal pleasures, päästja. You should not forget that."

His eyes flickered at my words, something changing. Perhaps it was because we were so close or because of something I had said, but his next words held more meaning than I was used to. "Personal pleasures such as what, my dear?" He whispered, staring intently at me.

My breath stilled at his words, unsure of how to handle them. They were tangible, hanging in front of the both of us. I his true name slipping from my mouth at the words, barely audible.

"Cayne," I started, watching as his eyes swirled with a mixture of emotions at the sound. However, before I could say anything, we were interrupted.

"Master Gordon, you have company."

His eyes closed at the voice, staying still for a moment before he let go of my hands and pulled away. The second he did, the tension thinned itself, barely visible. The air seemed colder than before, and I shivered.

"I am sorry, dear," he said, his eyes refusing to meet my own. Whether he was apologizing for our interruption, or for the moment itself, I did not know. I wasn't sure if I wanted to know the answer.

He went towards the door, but I remained not sure if I should leave or not. I listened as he opened it, allowing Martin to walk in.

His nose wrinkled at the sight of me, a grimace accompanied by it. I still smiled at him, despite his clear displeasure towards me, which was only ignored.

"Princess Ewell is here to see you. Should I tell her now is not a convenient time?" He asked, his hardened eyes still on me.

Prince Gordon started speaking, "Yes, please inform-" however, I cut him off.

"I was just leaving, päästja. Tell your Princess that I hope all is well and that I cannot wait to see her again," I explained, knowing it was for the best.

I gave him a small smile, ignoring the disappointment that his eyes held. "I will leave you to tend to your business," I added, quickly saying parting words to the both of them before walking out of the room.

I found myself within my own room once again, frustration and guilt building as I sat on the bed, Prince Gordon's expressions running through my mind again and again. I was certain he was confused and uncertain as to what had happened, as I had been.

However, now it was only Kai that I could think about. Kai had been right in saying that I was too fond of the Prince. I cared for Prince Gordon as if I had grown up with him in the village and it had not just been Kai and I.

It was Kai who ad always been there, from the beginning up until now. Yet, it was not Kai that had caused my heart to forget its pace or Kai that had caused my body to grow warm. It was not Kai that was the center of my thoughts, but it was a pair of green eyes that were the star of them.

I would be shunned from the leap if my thoughts were visible. Kai would no longer look at me in the same light. He would see me as the leap had: as nothing more than a disgrace. I had not only gone against the elders but allowed my heart to sway from its place. I could not be a mate correctly for Kai, why did my heart believe I could do so with Prince Gordon?

Perhaps I was being selfish. I did not want only one man, but two it seemed. My heart was restless, desiring to destroy not only itself but others as well. If I did not leave, I would have to change how I interacted with Prince Gordon.

If I continued as was, I would only spiral further and further away from what I had grown up knowing. My life was supposed to be with Kai, no other. So I would avoid Prince Gordon unless absolutely necessary. If I did leave and was reunited with Kai, then that would certainly be better.

However, no matter how many times I repeated this to myself, it had no effect on lessening the swaying of my poor heart.

[Päästja- savior]

*Guess who Ivy meets ;)

*Side note: Would y'all be interested in holiday card this year? I did them last year, and with them came an exclusive chapter for whichever ship from whichever story you wanted. To this day, those chapters still haven't been posted on here.