"Stop," I declare and something in me breaks apart as I watch Easton choking on shadows. "Stop, right now," I want to throttle Darian but I know that I could never even come close to the amount of power he bestows.

Easton's hands shoot to his throat and he tries tearing away the invisible force choking him to death. "The filthy mortal deserves it. He's lucky I haven't already sent him away to be hung, drawn and quartered," Darian spits.

I seethe with anger as I watch the colour drain from Easton's face. "Let. Him. Go."

Silence thickens in the room, the only sound being Easton choking - a sound I am sure I will not forget any time soon or ever for that matter.

I am standing, pleading with my eyes for Darian to please just let him go. When I finally hear the sharp inhale sound from across the room, I have to use everything in me not to break. Easton only begins laughing, a cackle that doesn't even sound human.

My gaze snaps back to Easton as he slumps to the floor, gasping for breath. "What did you do?" I sigh, already knowing that Darian is up to something.

"Only a little something that will ensure our safe departure," and with that Darian holds out his hand. But, I simply cannot look away from Easton. "I'm completely woeful to admit that he will be fine," Darian insists, his hand still for me to take.

I step across the room, my heels clicking with every step and besides my better judgement, I take his hand in mine. I'd rather have Darian take me to another deserted island than stay here a moment longer.

Whatever happens, I will know at this very moment in time that I tried everything that I could to save him - to help him get out of here. But, everything wasn't enough.

"Promise me that he will not come in harm's way," the world fades away around us as the wind picks up. I have come to find that every time he does this it seems to faze me lesser and lesser.

I completely forget the words that have left my mouth when I realise where we are. The palace gardens stretch for miles in every direction. Rows and rows of different kinds of flowers and shrubs.

"I'm not one for making promises," I can't seem to tear my eyes away from the garden that lays before me. I have never seen something so beautiful in my life.

"You don't say," I mutter, too encompassed in my trance to even comprehend the words falling from my lips. "This is beyond beautiful," I whisper, not believing the sight before me.

"There's something I want to show you," when I feel his hand wrap around mine again, I notice that I never knew he had let go. I look down at our adjoined hands, scared that something in me may change soon.

"Only if you promise that Easton will be out of reach from your guard's fists," the words feel like poison on my tongue, words I would have never imagined myself saying.

"I promise," he huffs before tugging me along but I fear that he doesn't truly mean it.

The moonlight is bright in Darian's eyes as he pulls me between hedges and down rows of night tulips. Everything about it seemed perfect, despite the war raging around us.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked breathlessly as he leads me down another gravel path.

The sound of the gravel crunching beneath my feet brings me back to that night. I can't think straight as my hand slips out of Darian's and I have to stop - not being able to bear the sound of the gravel grinding.

"What's wrong?" Darian stops and turns to face me but I turn away, wiping profusely at my eyes. Of course, my mind wants to relive those memories in the moments that I can't shy away from them.

"Nothing," I croak and turn back to face him. "Hay-fever," I shrug and he furrows his brows.

I am fully aware that he knows what I am thinking so I push walls up in the front of my mind, not even allowing a peek as to what is going on inside my mind.

"Hurry, it's almost time," he beckons for me to follow and I do so, hesitantly. I focus on Darian's broad shoulders and slender figure as he weaves through the hedges, leading me to heaven knows where.

Perspire beads on my forehead by the time we reach a small riverbank and my eyebrows furrow in confusion. "What is it?" I question, not sure what I am supposed to be looking at.

"It is a rare occurrence, which only happens in the height of summer. When the moon reaches its peak at exactly midnight, this very stream glows an iridescent blue," Darian explains, nothing but awe lacing his tone.

I stare up at the stars and place my hand over my heart. I can't let this pain drown me. I need to find joy in even the smallest parts of life.

"Thank you for showing me," I say softly and a grin lights up his face. "I'm guessing this is not the only thing you have planned," Darian shakes his head.

"I thought, seeing as you are already so great at it, we could go skinny dipping in the glowing river," he shrugs his shoulders and I roll my eyes but soon realise he is not joking.

"Go swimming. Naked. Where anyone can see us?" those crimson eyes light up and rake up and down my body.

"We will have a glamour over us... no one shall see us. Does that sway you, m'lady?" the mischievous grin on his face had swayed me long ago. This may be one of the riskiest things I have ever done, but it is a distraction nonetheless.

"Will you be ever so gracious as to unzip me, Sire?" if he wants to call me nicknames then two can play that game. Something feral glosses over his eyes and I feel a twist in my stomach at the sight.

"Anything for you," his voice is gentle as he slowly inches forward, each step closing the space between us. Our eyes can't seem to leave each other and I am not sure if I want them to.

I face my back towards him and as soon as his hand brushes against my skin, I have to refrain from my breath hitching. I feel his fingers clasp around the zip and as he pulls it down, his knuckles brush against my back.

It's when his lips press against my shoulder that I can't deny it. His lips follow the curve of my shoulder until they meet my neck. I can't help my sharp intake of breath as his mouth continues its sweet assault on my skin.

"Was it good?" he mumbles against my neck and I have to take a moment to process what he has just said as his mouth still lingers.

"I'm not sure what you mean," my voice is raspy and a shudder surges through me. I really have no clue what he is talking about and I am not sure if I want to know said information. Darian always seems to have an ulterior motive and I wouldn't put it past him if this was one of those situations.

"The kiss with the mortal," venom laces his voice as his hands slip under the straps of the dress and gently slide them down my arms. "Did he make you feel as good as I do?" I feel him press against me and I have to clear my thoughts.

"Does any of this really matter? It's over..." I trail off, wanting to end this conversation.

"I know for a fact that he doesn't. I saw you. I saw your eyes meet mine as he kissed you and how reluctant you were to kiss him back despite telling yourself that you wanted to," my dress drops to the grass and I find that I am at a loss for words.

"You really need to stop getting into people's heads," I turn to face him. I decide on trying to steer the conversation in another direction as I stand here in only my underwear. It's probably best if we do not strip completely.

"I noticed you pushed me out earlier. You have surprising mental strength, I must say," however I have steered it into a direction that I am also not fond of talking about.

"Your turn," I gesture to his outfit and he flashes his dimples. However, before he can reach up to unbutton his shirt I beat him to it.

I stare into his eyes as my fingers fiddle with the buttons. When Darian decides that I am taking too long, he completely rips the shirt off of him in such a swift manner you'd think he was tearing a piece of paper, not a garment.

I cannot do anything but stare in complete shock at his movements. My gawking only intensifies when I am met with his bare, tattooed chest that only seems to grow more attractive every time I see it.

Reaching my hand towards his chest, I trace the intricate swirls, inked into his skin, with my finger - in a complete trance. Darian's hand encases mine and I look back into his eyes.

"What are you doing to me?" Darian whispers as his eyes search my face.

A faint blue glow settles on the left side of his features and I brush my hand along it before looking to the side. "Wow... it really is beautiful," I have no words to describe the beauty of the river before me.

Darian unbuttons his bottoms before tugging them off and stepping towards me again. Our chests are practically touching from our close proximity. The urge to step away slipping through my fingers.

"It's warm so you won't have to worry about me having to rectify the situation," Darian's voice is raspy as his arms slide around my waist and grip the back of my thighs. With one swift motion, Darian picks me up and I wrap my legs around his torso.

"You never know, I may still need your assistance," I whisper in his ear as he nears the water. I feel his hands grip my thighs tighter and I see that as a victory.

"You want to watch that pretty little mouth of yours, Nova," no matter how many times I hear my name roll off of his tongue, I will never stop being delighted in hearing it.

Darian slowly walks into the water and as soon as the surface hits my hips, I find that it is strangely warm. However, it may be connected to the hot springs that are just down the valley but it is quite a stretch.

His arms are around me the whole time, even when I am submerged up to my shoulders. "Do you come here every year?" I question as I settle in the temperature of the water.

"I try to but preparations for the summer solstice usually cloud my thoughts," the summer solstice. I remember Darian telling me about their tradition.

"The one day of the year, the longest may I add, where the sun rises," I smile, sharing my knowledge. Darian smiles and for once it meets his eyes. Well, at least I have learnt something whilst being here.

"That day will be significant for us both. It's the day we are to be wed. I picked it in honour of your family. I just..." Darian trails off and I nod for him to continue. "I figured that it would feel more at home?" he says more like a question.

"Yes, I understand. Thank you," I whisper and rest my forehead against his.

I can only imagine the sun beaming down on me as I walk down the aisle in a couple of months time. The warmth of the rays hugging around me as though it were my mother and father's warm embrace.

For once, I don't feel as terrible as I did.