Ebony POV

The blackness engulfed Morgan and Erik, and I watched that blackness for period of time, I don’t even remember. Morgan had dragged Erik into the mortal world, maybe to trap him, maybe to stall him. I didn’t know whether Erik possessed the knowledge to get back to our world or not.

The dragon army without their King, staggered about in a state of confusion. Dante was free and within a few seconds was by my side. I felt his arm slip around my waist and pull me away from the portal, “Ebony, come on.” He said.

“Morgan.” I murmured dryly.

“Hopefully we can get her back.” He replied.

“I should have used my powers.” I said numbly.

“I don’t think the Gods gave you those powers to harm people with.” Dante smiled.

“You knew?” I whispered.

“I had a strange dream about a dragon.” He replied.

Lifting me off my feet before I could ask another question, we shot out of the dragon fortress into the winter night, escaping the dragon army. I wrapped my arms around Dante and closed my eyes. Edvard was dead. Erik the dragon King was out of the picture, and I was now with Dante…

But without Morgan, I didn’t feel like this was the happy ever after I deserved.

Erik POV

The pain was incomparable with anything else I had ever felt before. My whole body ached. Was this what it felt like to be mortal. I shuddered. I couldn’t believe that evil little bitch fox had tricked me! The next portal home must be at least a couple hundred miles north of here. I hated the mortal world- its why I never came. Groaning I sat up. That little fox will pay for her crimes! She will wish she had never been born when I exact my revenge! Long torture sessions, hours of endless pain, there will be no….

I stopped, my eyes fell over the small and fragile body of the fox laying a foot away from me. For some reason something inside me tightened and I couldn’t tear my gaze away from her. Red hair spilled around her, reminding me of the glorious colour of the dawn, her skin was perfect, cream, and her lips-

Her eyelashes fluttered and that tightness in my chest grew again.

What the hell was wrong with me?

Pushing those feelings, I placed my hand on the hilt of my sword, ready to draw and strike. I would extinguish the flame of the mightier fox, thus proving the dragon fire is the fiercest fire. Big bright eyes captured me. The fox gave me a strange look and the eyes rolled back inside her head. My hand dropped away from the sword. What was wrong with me? Why was my heart beating so fast. Her lips mesmerized me and I found myself leaning towards her. What was I doing? Closing my eyes I bent down and lightly touched her lips with mine.

Was I insane?

Was I bewitched?

I didn’t know what was wrong with me, but I knew I couldn’t kill her. Not now, not ever.

Two Weeks Later: Ebony POV

I sat up in the tower most nights watching over the grounds. Tonight was no exception. The blizzard outside the tower picked up and battered the windows. They rattled on their hinges filling the room with noise. I rubbed my eyes. I was so tired. I felt Henry’s warm hand resting against my shoulder. I opened my eyes and looked up into his eyes.

“What’s up with you? You don’t look too happy.” Henry asked.

“I am not happy.” I replied.

“Why not? I mean, look around, Edvard dead, Dante loves you. What’s not to be happy about?”

I didn’t want to delve into the emptiness that Morgan had left behind. Henry read my tiredness and kindly said,

“Maybe I should escort you back to your room.”

I shook my head.

“Ebony, it has been two weeks, love. If Morgan were-” Henry stopped himself. I knew what he was going to say, because everybody else had said it- if Morgan were alive, she would have come back by now. My heart turned over and I buried my face into my hands. I was certain Erik had killed Morgan when they had tumbled through the portal into the mortal world. Yet, for some reason, there was part of me still waiting for Morgan to come home.

There was a gentle tap on the door and Henry bowed slightly.

“Ebony,” Dante called softly, “Come away from the window.”

I ignored Dante’s request. Deep down, I felt he was partly to blame for Morgan. Henry crouched down beside me,

“Ebony, you’re freezing cold petal. This tower ain’t safe and with the blizzard out there, you can’t see anything except white.”

“I want- I need to stay watch.” I replied.

Dante heaved a sigh, “Please don’t force me to carry back to our chambers.”

“Fine,” I said reluctantly. “I’ll go.”

Getting up, Dante pandered around me,“I have guards patrolling the grounds, and if Morgan turns up they’ll bring her straight to you.” He stated for the umpteenth time.

“Dante, leave me alone.” I replied.

Dante flinched in his eyes. He stepped away from me, as I walked past him. Henry followed me, patting Dante’s shoulder as he walked past muttering, “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of her.”

Henry caught up with me and asked bluntly, “Why the cold shoulder?”

“You have no idea, the mess he caused. The misery we have all had to endure.” I snapped.

“So you don’t love him.”

I stopped immediately throwing my hands up into the air, “Of course I love him. I love him so much I can’t even think of a fitting analogy to justify my love. He’s everything to me. But-” I sighed, “I can’t pretend the past did not happen. So many people died and their blood taints our love. I can’t get over that.”

“Why?”

“Perhaps because I thought, we would have a happy ending.”

“This ain’t no fairy-tale, and you knew Dante was not exactly a virtuous and noble Prince. I think that’s why the dragon wanted you to be his Princess. You have no idea how cruel he was before he met you. Then when he fell in love with you, he started to change…very slowly. Now you have to keep him grounded. Shutting him out will only drive him mad. Do you understand?”

I nodded.

“Then go back upstairs and comfort him. Poor guy has been killing himself over you.” Henry said.

I left Henry and went back up into the tower. Dante was stood by the window staring out into the blizzard. I crept across the floorboard and gently laced my hand into his. Dante turned his head in surprise. His eyes looked sad and tired.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I thought that when everything was over, it would be okay, but Morgan’s gone, the dragon army is up in arms and the world seems more complicated than ever.”

Dante abruptly pulled me against him, wrapping his arms around me. “Please don’t lock me out. I feel like I’m losing my mind again.”

I nuzzled against his chest and savoured the security and warmth of his embrace. I didn’t want to lock him out, but without Morgan, I felt a piece of me was missing. Pushing aside those empty feeling I said, “I promise I won’t lock you out.”

Dante pressed a kiss on the top of my forehead and deep inside me an awful feeling of foreboding swept over me. There was something still lingering, still clinging on somewhere, still watching me…

The something deep down inside me, was warning me- this had not ended.

To be continued….

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This is the end of Raven Girl, I plan on continuing the story in a different book, centered around Morgan!!! ^.^ So make sure you check out my profile to see when the new book is coming out!! Hope you have enjoyed reading this!!

angeltwist XxXxX