CHAPTER 653: 653-HIS LOST LOVE AND THE STOLEN EMBRACE.

Helanie:

"You brought me back to life just so you could kill me in the worst way possible. And now you’re complaining that I’ve changed?" The cold tone he used broke my heart into a million pieces.

"Go back to your husband, Helanie. I’m fine," he said, turning around and walking away while drinking from the bottle he held so gently in his hand.

"I loved you," I said, and he stopped.

"But things happened," I added, and he turned around and let out a laugh.

"You’ve moved on, that’s what happened. I don’t agree with what Kaye said about you accepting Norman back then. But it’s also true that it hurt me a lot. It hurt knowing I was forcing my curse on you. But Helanie, I told you once to move on if I ever forgot you. To live a good life if I lost my memories. But you were the one who gave me hope. You said you would stay with me and help me remember you. I guess, a curse really is a toxic burden. Anyway, I’m happy for you," he said and lifted the bottle to his mouth when I interrupted him.

"So it was all my fault then?" I asked, and he lowered the bottle.

"No," he replied.

"Then why does it feel like you’re still angry with me? I was dealing with a lot at the time. And when I heard you had chosen to spend the night thinking about your lost love I realized maybe you weren’t ready for me," my voice broke again, and I noticed his fists clench.

"You need to understand that I was hurt too. I was angry too. I was relying on you, and I was ready to let it go until I—until I found out it was Azura you chose over me that night. That hurt me too," I said, pointing at my chest. I noticed him turning to face me again.

"I know–" he looked guilty now that I was pouring my heart out.

"No, you don’t. Or else you wouldn’t keep blaming me for that night over and over.

The reason we parted ways was because I realized you were in two boats at once, and my boat was already sinking. I needed someone who could steady it," I mumbled, big tears running down my cheeks.

"And I failed you," he said, closing his eyes, then quickly stepping toward me.

"But I continued to love you, even when I couldn’t ever show it—"

I stopped talking the moment he put his hand on the back of my head and pulled me in for a kiss.

Our lips met with force, and he took my breath away just like that. He placed both hands under my cheeks and tilted his head, his lips sucking my bottom lip while I sucked on his upper lip. My hands clung to his coat in tight fists, my eyes closed just like his.

He tasted so good, his tongue was so delicious that the moment it entered my mouth, I started sucking on it deeply.

"Mmmm," I moaned when he sucked my tongue. As our bodies started to heat up, loud screams erupted in the air and both of us paused for a moment—

Our tongues still in each other’s mouths.

"HELP ME!"

It was the strongest and loudest scream I had ever heard. We quickly pulled away, now certain someone was really calling for help. The screams sounded like someone in deep distress, and they were coming from the mountain forest.

Emmet and I shared a glance before he grabbed the bottle and smashed it to use as a weapon. As he began running toward the exit, I followed close behind.

Someone was probably getting attacked by the Zharns and needed help. Around this time of night, no one ever went out because of the Zhrans. It had to be some lost rogue who got caught.

The wind rushed past my face, cold and fast, making my eyes water.

The scream came again—"HELP!"

This time, it was deadlier. The kind of scream only someone desperate to survive could let out.

I noticed that Emmet looked shaken when he heard the voice. It was a woman in distress.

I was worried too, but he looked disturbed.

Branches scratched at my arms as I pushed through them, some snapping, some clinging to my clothes. Emmet kept moving forward without a second thought.

He hadn’t said a word to me, but I remembered the way his eyes had widened when he first heard the scream.

The ground was rough and rocky under my feet, but I didn’t stop running. And soon, we arrived at the scene.

There was a woman in the distance, screaming and stumbling while Zharns came after her from all directions. She lifted her head and looked straight at Emmet, whose jaw dropped open. Right at that moment, I knew: They knew each other.

I stopped dead in my tracks when I watched Emmet get into action. The way she was now running into him seemed like two lost souls meeting again. Emmet rushed forward in panic, slashing at the Zharns appearing near the girl.

The moment she landed in his arms, he started killing the Zharns attacking her from behind with one hand, while the other arm held her close; tight and secure.

I couldn’t move for a moment. The way he held her, the way she clung to him and didn’t let go—I felt rejection sink deep into my core. Then I heard the girl speak softly, lifting her face from his chest.

"Emmet," she said in the sweetest and most gentle tone anyone could use.

He looked down at her, distracted, his eyes scanning her face with a longing that had clearly been buried with time. In the calmest and most amazed voice, Emmet said:

"Azura."

My heart skipped many beats. My body froze. My eyes locked on the two of them.

How was this possible?

She was dead.