The relinquishment

Chapter twenty-nine

Ryker

I love her.

Fuck, I love this beautiful girl in my arms.

So, this is what it feels like.

I want to question my existence. I want to scream to the skies. I didn't want this. I didn't want this weakness that comes with this—love. I have a lot to think of and the first thing I have to figure out is how to save her. How to keep her from dying.

Leighty went to her and I need to let him know that he shouldn't mess with me. I have been very lenient I have tried to listen to them. Hiding my true colors. I have tried to be what they want me to be, even when they banished me from the heavens. I don't even care about anything—but her. Now she is in the picture and I want to be strong for her. I want to protect her. This girl that just walked into my life. This girl that is already sentenced to death.

"I trust you.''

I pull away from her slightly and she is watching me with the most beautiful gaze. Her eyes piercing my soul. She trusts me. Even though I haven't given her much. I haven't answered any of her questions and she still trusts me. How did I get so lucky?

I don't deserve her but she is here, in my life, in my arms.

"I promise, I will protect you. I know you are scared and you don't feel safe but know that I will not let anything happen to you. I will make sure you are safe."

Her lashes flutter, they are long and a highlighter to her eyes. Just as perfect as the rest of her.

I am lucky.

I repeat those words because they will be the reminder that I need, to push me. When things feel like they are out of my control, I will remind myself and regain the control I need to protect her.

"I know."

She leans forward and I kiss her. I kiss her with all the love that I can muster. I kiss her like she needs my oxygen to live. I kiss her like she is one with me and for the first time in my life, I feel at ease. I don't care about anything but her.

My whole life belongs to this beautiful girl.

*************

The only time I can leave her is when her eyes close. I watched her until she fell asleep and it wasn't even tiring. I didn't want to leave her after our conversation because I needed her to fully let go with me and her sleeping shows me that she is relaxed again.

Once I am out of the room, I channel my magic. I channel the portal. I haven't been to the heavens since I was kicked out but I am angry. I am so angry that I want to burn it to the ground. Leighty has always been in my corner and I know he thinks this is the best way to nip this in the bud. Scaring Harley away from me. He thinks that is the easiest way to do this.

I hate him right now.

I hate them all.

"Brother,'' I shout so loud once I see the familiar path. The light, the pure gates of heaven. All the things I used to loathe and still do. My voice echoes in the light, my hands tremble because this just brings back memories that I want to forget. Memories that I hate. I keep walking even though I know I shouldn't be here. Right now, I am boiling and I don't give a shit about the consequences.

They will rather have me on their side than against them.

They know the power I hold.

They know what I can do if I am angry. So, they need to listen to me.

"You know you aren't supposed to be here,'' I hear her voice before I see her. Cybele, the mother of us all. The one that came before us all. I used to be afraid of her. Once upon a time, I would get chills from the sound of her voice but now, all I feel is gratitude. The day I was banished, she was the last and final vote and she chose me.

She and Leighty might have believed in me when the others didn't. They didn't want me to leave but their votes were not enough. They couldn't save me.

"Hello Cybele,'' I manage as my vision gets clearer and I see everything as it is meant to be. Bright, pure, and calm. This place was home to me before but now, all that surrounds me is darkness.

The darkness that I caused.

"Where is Leighty?'' I ask.

"Why are you here?''

"Leighty knows why?''

I hear the doors open again and this time, the brother I was looking for comes out of the gates "You must be crazy Ryker, how dare you show up here,'' he walks so fast and grabs me by my shirt. I don't even care that he is angry. I am fucking pissed right now.

"You know why I am here; you know what you did.''

He scoffs, still gripping me by my collar "Do you care to share the reason why you came to the heavens with Cybele. Do you want everyone to see how stupid you fucking are?''

He is testing me.

I don't care.

I will do anything to protect her.

"You had no right.''

"You didn't listen to me. I will kill her before you think about saving her.''

My eyes open wide at his words and it feels like my heart is about to explode. He is riling me up. He knows what he is doing and it is working. The first punch is quick but he expects it. The light shines out of him so bright in his anger. I want to aggravate him more, so I don't stop. No one is going to stop me as I hit him more.

The sound of his bones breaking only makes my hits increase. I feel the rest of my brothers and sisters as they come out. I don't give a shit. This is between us, no one is going to interfere.

"Fight me, hit me,'' I shout to him. I am so angry. I have not expressed this many emotions in all the life I have lived.

"I am helping you. I will not fight you,'' he voices out.

Shit.

I hate this so much.

"I am not letting her go L, I can't.''

I let go of him and he watches me from the ground. My hands are in fists. I am boiling and there is no way to extinguish this feeling.