~~~~~~~~~Sage's POV~~~~~~~~~

I continued to run down every hallway in search for Aiden. I had tried to cast a tracking spell, but unfortunately down here, that sort of magic doesn't work.

So instead, I began to think: where would Ryan take Aiden?

He wouldn't take him to the offices, nor the dorms, and he had separated him from his sisters, who were sent to the dungeons.

No, he wanted to have a "chat" with the enemy, I knew exactly where he took him.

Trying to remember the way, I turned several corners, eventually making it to a large yet old and rusty metal door. This room hadn't been open in years, no one was allowed in.

I gulped softly, pushing open the door. I gagged at the strong scent of blood that filled the room, growing pale.

Had I been too late...?!?

Running in, I followed the scent, my eyes widening at the sight.

Aiden lay on the ground, his eyes closed, a hole in his chest as it bled out the large pool of blood around him. I felt myself starting to tremble as I ran over to him, kneeling down beside him. I placed a hand over his wound, glowing a soft blue as I bit my lip to hold back tears.

I had managed to use a huge chunk of my energy to heal his wound, but I grew even more nervous when he didn't wake up.

"A-Aiden...?!"

Nothing. Not a word. Not one movement.

I grabbed his shoulders, shaking him a little. "Aiden, w-wake up!"

I let out a sob, tears once more filling my vision. I stared at his facial features, searching for any sighs of movement, but my hope was slowly slipping away.

I buried by face on his chest, tightly gripping his jacket as I cried.

N-no, he wasn't gone, he just wasn't...!

I-... I j-just couldn't lose h-him...!

My loud sobs were the only thing that echoed in the room, but I didn't care. I didn't care if anyone could hear me, I didn't care if I was calling any attention.

I just continued to cry into his chest, wanting him back...

"P-please, don't d-do this, don't give i-in...! I c-can't lose you...!" I pressed my forehead against his neck. "I... I l-love you... I love you s-so much... and I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, a-about everything...! I know you'll n-never forgive me, I-I know you'll never want to see me again, b-but... p-please... don't g-go..."

I spent a few seconds in the same position when I felt something gently pet my hair. I froze, looking up, my eyes meeting two familiar bright blue ones.

Aiden gave me a soft yet tired smile, gently pulling some of my hair behind my ear. I stared at him for a while, but I didn't hesitated to tackle him in a tight hug.

He froze for a bit, but soon hugged my back as I buried my face on his shoulder. "I-I thought I l-lost you..."

"And I should thank you for saving me..." His voice was weak, I could tell he was trying not to faint.

I tightly gripped the back of his jacket, not wanting to let him go as I cried into his shoulder. However, he pulled me away, only to gently cup my cheek, his thumb gently wiping away my tears. I gently leaned into his touch, trying to calm myself down. "I-I'm sorry... I'm so so s-sorry..."

"It's okay... I forgive you..." I looked up at him, a sincere smile on his face.

"... why...? After all I've done to you and your family... I don't deserve your forgiveness..."

"Maybe you were sent to kill us, but you had no choice... I was hurt because I thought that every moment we shared was fake... that you never really liked me... But... you just saved my life... I could never repay you for that..."

He gently grabbed my hand, tangling his fingers with mine. "And to add something more..." He brought my hand up to his lips, placing a soft kiss on my knuckles, my face heating up.

"I love you, too, Sage..."

I stayed silent, my eyes staring into his. He wasn't lying, I could sense it.

He meant it. All of it.

I gently cupped his cheek, pressing my lips against his. He was a bit surprised, but kissed me back.

I wanted us to stay like this for a while, but my mind kept reminding me about why we were here. We needed to get them out, and fast.

I pulled away, helping him stand up. "C'mon, the sooner we get out, the better..."

He nodded in understanding, following me outside.

I'm just so thankful he's alright...

Thanks for reading!!! 'Till next time!!!

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