Eternally Yours (25 page)

“Yeah because you’ve been dreaming for five weeks not awake to remember anything short or long term.”

I nod. I try my best to remember back to that day, before I got shot. Gabe is quiet, just watching me.

“Can you remember what happened?” he asks solemnly.

His total attitude just changed from happy and welcoming to hurt and confused. What is going on?

I rack my brain for something, anything about that day. I remember rain. Someone fighting. Gabe was there! He was yelling and fighting. With...I freeze. Shocked. I remember it all. Shadow.

“You remember.” It was a statement. He looks at his feet.

I inhale shakily. “I remember.”

We’re silent.

“Where is he?” I ask.

He shoots me an angry look. “Well I am fine, thanks for asking. I am great. For five weeks I have been in complete and total misery because I didn’t have answers. Because I was hurt. I was confused. And I was worried about you!”

Ouch. I am a bitch. A selfish one.

“Come here,” I whisper.

He looks
doubtful
but he comes. I reach my weak arms up signaling for a hug and he gives me what I want. Like he always does. I rub his back in a comforting manner. I whisper how sorry I am in his ear. He stands back up and pulls a chair up beside my bed and sits down. He grabs my hand.

He takes a deep breathe like he is about to say something he doesn’t want to, but he’s too good of a person to keep it from me. “He’s been in the dungeon since that day, Alexia. I can’t say
I
don’t hate him. I can’t tell you that I’m not glad he is out of the way. But I don’t know if he deserves what they’re doing to him.”

I cover my mouth, afraid to even ask.

His lips are a tight line and his expression grim. I don’t even have clearance to get to him anymore. For two
weeks
they had the Guards use torture methods on him, but they won’t kill him. We got close a few times and they made us stop until he healed enough to continue. It’s really messed up, Alexia. They’re trying to blame him for the Hell Horde attacks. Saying that he’s a spy for them, and he screwed my father over by convincing them to throw the deal and alliance off.”

I shake my head, not believing this! This is so messed up!

“We have to save him, Gabe! He didn’t do any of that, my gods! We have to...we have to...do something!”

“Calm down, Alexia.” He squeezes my hand.

“I know you don’t like him Gabriel, but he doesn’t deserve this! If you’re going to point fingers at someone for what happened point them at me! It’s my fault we don’t work, Gabe!” I’m getting hysterical again, and I don’t want to say anything rash. I don’t want to crush him again.

“Gabe,” I say calmly. “Even if he is gone, forever,” I choke out that last word, “I can never love you in that way.” I whisper. “You’re my best friend, and I love you like my own brother, but I love him, like a mate. And I am so.
so
sorry!” I sob.

He scratches his head. “I know,” he sighs. “I don’t like it, and it hurts like hell,” his voice hitches a little and I squeeze his hand for support and comfort. “But if you love him, Alexia, I won’t stand in your way. I know that our bond didn’t work, and if this is why then what choice do I have but to let this be?” He pauses. “Why fight it if I can’t change it?” he smirks.

I smirk, sorrowful and
grateful
at the same time. He has definitely had time to think about this. I would guess the whole five weeks, because he’s taking it amazingly well.

“So does this mean you will help me save Shadow?” I whisper, daring to hope.

He looks deep into my eyes, on into my soul and debates.

“It definitely does.” He smiles.

…Don't miss
My Immortal
, the next book in Anastasia's young adult series coming in 2013!

Gabe and Alexia set off to rescue Shadow from prison, but when they finally see what he has become, a lot of things are about to change.

Anastasia lives in
Asheville
,
North Carolina
with her husband and her two year old daughter. She loves to dance, shop, see movies, swim, and lay on the beach. She is twenty-six years
old
and this is her first young adult novel.