32. Realisation

I stop at the river, breathing so hard that my lungs feel like I was inhaling sand.

"Well, well, well! What do we get here, boys?"

I hear a deep, mischievous voice.

When I turn around, my heart stops beating.

About twenty rogues were looking at me with hunger in their eyes.

"What do you want?" I ask, hoping I can get away.

"Hmm… let's see. What can we want from a single, beautiful woman? Human, after all. Maybe you can cook for us!" He said, and they all started laughing like a bunch of crazy people.

"What if I say no?"

I knew exactly what they wanted, but I wasn't about to give them anything.

"You can say whatever you want, human! But look around you! What can you do, uh?"

Before he could say anything else, I sent an ice arrow to his chest. He fell to the ground, and hell broke down.

I knew I would not be able to defeat them. But I would fight them. I will kill as many as I can before I give up.

They were all in wolf form, growling and running towards me.

I kill four at once before another one bites the same ankle that was now almost healed.

Screaming in pain, I sent an arrow straight to his head. I smile in contentment, only to be pushed to the ground.

A light brown rogue was now on my back, biting on my shoulder.

I tried to shake it off, but I couldn't. So using my other hand, I brought a ball of water, aiming at his head. This did the trick, but only for a moment as I was way too weak to control it too much. There were now about ten or twelve left, all getting closer.

An idea pops up in my mind. Well, more like a choice. I could jump into the river and hope that I will survive. Being wounded would not help me in the cold water. Or I could try to fight them. Almost half of them are dead already. But the problem is that I am bleeding profoundly, and I know that soon I will faint.

They were way too close for my liking. With my last strength, I create an ice wall, hoping that will give me enough time to decide what to do.

I turned to look at the river and prepared myself to jump when an unbearable pain went through my right leg.

I look back to see one of the rogues hitting my thigh. The wall was down now. Nothing separates me from them. I lifted my arm, trying to create another ice arrow, but I was too late as another rogue bites me.

The great ones shift and run toward me. They tied up my hands to do anything and injected me with what seems to be a sedative.

My eyelids felt so heavy, so I let my eyes close.

'I love you, Oren!' I said in my mind before everything became dark.

Oren pov

It was killing me seeing Amaya like this. But on the other hand, I felt betrayed. I heard her with my ears when she told that guy that she loves him. I would have died for her. I would have done everything to make her happy. But now I am so confused about my feelings. I know I still love her. But do I love her enough to keep chasing her in this sick game of running away?

When she said goodbye to me and left, I wanted so badly to go after her. To stop and tell her how much I missed her. Her eyes, her lips, her voice and her scent. It was driving me crazy. I wanted so badly to hold her in my arms and kiss her.

But I couldn't bring myself to do it.

"She's gone," Evolet said, coming back to the kitchen.

"But why?" Willow asks.

"Why? Because of this stubborn asshole!" She said, pointing at me.

"What? Why is it my fault?"

"Why?! Why?! Because you hurt her, Oren! She came for our help, and you pushed her away mercilessly. She's been through so much! She was suffering, and you just stabbed her once more! She is our friend! I am alive because of her! Have you ever thought of that?!"

"You have no idea how many times I did, Evolet. But when I went searching for her, everything changed. I lied to you. I found her that day. I was transported to her Realm. I don't know how or why. And there I saw her. She was with another man, telling him how she loves him. She doesn't love me anymore; she loves that Leon guy."

I said in a breath.

"Leon? Are you serious? Have you listened to a word she said? Leon is a friend! Just a friend! He is her second in command, Oren. She loves him the same way I love you. As a brother!"

"Did she say that?" I ask, not remembering to hear Amaya saying anything about this. But I was zooming out a lot nowadays.

"Yes, she said that! So you better go after her, dickhead!"

I start running towards the door but stop in my tracks, doubting myself.

"Why if she doesn't want me anymore, after everything I said to her? What if she hates me now?" I ask, looking back at my sister.

"Oren, stop being so… you! She loves you! You can see it in the way she looks at you! Now go before I kick your stupid ass."

I nod at her and run to the stable as fast as I can.

"She loves me!" I shout happily to the black horse.

I quickly jump on his back and head to the forest.

'Hopefully, I won't get too late.' I thought, worrying about what could happen to her.

"Hold on, my love; I'm coming for you!" I said more for myself.

I would not be able to forget myself if anything happens to her.