Ch.30

Elestra sighed as she ran her hands back through her hair. She hated when Evander did this .‌… and yet, he always seemed to find a way to make it happen. He had to have done some serious talking to convince the other members of their family to allow him to come here‌… although they were also probably worried about what was going to happen to him if he didn't.

But whatever the reason, Elestra was glad that Evander was finally here. Even if everything else started to fall apart around them‌… the most important part of the plan was already in motion. Her dagger had been a perfect fit. Just like it was meant to be.

And there wasn't anything she could do now‌… unless Evander was still somehow alive .‌… which she very much doubted. After all, he was practically dead himself. But the rest of us need to live. At least for a little while. Until we can figure out what to do.

As far as Elestra was concerned, her dagger‌… or Evander's sword .‌… was just a tool. One that would hopefully become useful in the coming days. One that might even allow them to stop their enemies once and for all.

There was no time to wonder or worry about any of that right now. They only had one shot to end this‌… and the future was entirely up to her.

She looked back at the dark figure standing directly behind her, watching Evander as he walked down the path toward the village. It was odd that she could see the figure there, especially considering how little he had to do with their mission. Not that this was really anything new.

No, this was actually pretty familiar. Ever since she'd realized that she might not have to waste her time on that wretched elf anymore‌… after she got rid of him, of course‌—the idea of finding herself a daedric prince to serve had been enticing. And there hadn't been a better choice than the one that stood in front of her now.

Plus, like most people who lived in these parts‌… she hadn't ever really trusted elves anyway .‌… except for Ebert, of course. That had been different. She knew he meant them no harm‌—that his interest in the sword was completely harmless. Although she wouldn't have given him a chance to take it in the first place.

Well, I guess no one can accuse me of not knowing what I want.

Evander made it almost halfway to the door before he stopped. His hand reached up to wipe the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve. For a moment, it looked like he might start crying again. Then he slowly turned around‌… staring at the house that she'd grown up in‌… and started walking right back to her.

"Hey," he said. "Are you sure we're doing the right thing? I don't think anyone else would be willing to help us, even if they knew we needed them."

Elestra stared back at him. You've never been particularly worried about what other people thought about your motives‌… I know. But you also haven't had much of a choice, either. There isn't anyone left except Fir to help us .‌… so the sooner we go back, the sooner we'll know for sure.

For a second, Elestra tried to tell herself that Evander would be able to find his own way out. After all, he didn't need her to lead him by the hand‌… or anything else. All he had to do was follow the path out of the village and‌… well‌… then he'd figure out the rest. She could trust him to do that much for himself.

Evander didn't say another word as he walked toward the door. He just looked back at Elestra, seeming to sense something different in the air. Then he stepped inside‌… and closed the door behind himself.

The first thing he saw was the outline of a bed‌… and then, a few seconds later, someone sitting on the edge of it. It took her longer than Evander would have expected to look his way‌… but he figured she had every reason to be hesitant. After all, the last time that they'd talked in person, their relationship hadn't ended very well.

But despite everything, Elestra seemed to feel differently today .‌… almost like she was willing to forgive him. And I'm glad for that. This is going to make things a lot easier .‌… even if I don't completely trust you anymore.

Evander nodded toward her as he approached. "Are you feeling better?" he asked, wondering what exactly had happened over the past few weeks. Couldn't anyone have stopped her? How did she manage to survive without help?

Elestra stared at the young man for several seconds, trying to work up her nerve. Then she slowly looked his way .‌… staring him in the eyes as if she couldn't believe what he was saying.

Evander pointed toward the spot on the floor next to him. "I think we should sit down," he said. "And talk."

There wasn't any movement from Elestra at first, but then she finally managed to nod. Her movements were slow and deliberate, though. Evander wondered if this was really about how she felt. Or whether she was still scared of him.

When she reached out to take the seat in front of him, Evander couldn't help but smile. He followed after her, grabbing the cushion so he could sit down with her. Then he laid his head against the side of the bed for a moment.

Elestra gave him an uncertain smile as she sat on the edge of the bed, shaking her head. She rested one hand against her cheek and slowly turned her head, looking directly into his eyes. It was the first time they'd ever done anything like that in front of someone else‌… not counting Ebert, of course. But this wasn't the same.

Then she pulled away, looking back at the door. "I don't want you to think that I'm going to hurt you," she said. "If anyone else tried to do that, I'd probably end up killing them."

Evander nodded, recognizing the truth in her words. The two of them had spent a lot of time together over the past few weeks. And most of that time included him trusting her enough to tell her what he had done .‌… his past. The demons. Killing people. All of it.

The elf girl closed her eyes. For a moment, there was silence between them. Then she began speaking in an almost detached manner. "That's what made it all so hard, I suppose. All the things you told me. What happened with your family. About the way you've been treated by others since before you can remember.

"I just needed someone to help me, even if you only wanted to use me. You didn't have to give your soul‌… or anything else for that matter. Which is why I'm happy that you're here. Even if this isn't the best of circumstances."

Evander leaned forward, grabbing her hands. "You have my word‌… and my life‌… that I'll never betray you again. If anything happens to you, I swear I won't be able to live with myself‌… especially after everything we've been through. No one will know me as a man. I will always be known as a killer."

Elestra started to lift her hand to touch his chest, then stopped herself, watching the movement in his eyes. Slowly, she put her hand on top of his, squeezing it tightly. "Thank you," she said. "It means a lot to me."

Evander felt his heart pounding‌… but for a different reason than when he'd thought he was going to die. After everything that had happened, he finally realized that they might not need her after all.