by Lizzy Ford
Jade stormed out of the study and shoved past two warriors in the hallway. Blinded by emotion, he made his way out of the underground compound without knowing where he went. He broke into a run when he reached the country road leading away from the compound.
He ran until his pounding heart drowned out his pounding feet. Cold air made his lungs ache, and he slowed then stopped, buckling over to catch his breath.
The pain in his chest couldn't equate with the pain and distress shooting through him like cold fire. He dropped to his knees and wiped messily at the snot streaming from his nose and the tears frozen to his cheeks.
Images of Kris, his only love in two thousand years, swam through his thoughts. He remembered everything from where they met, their first kiss, their first night together. The memories collided and tortured him, replaying with painful detail.
He'd never felt pain this intense in any of his battles!
He roared and slammed his fists against the ground.
"Kris's pet."
He whirled at the all too familiar voice and sprung to his feet.
"Sasha!"
"Hello, Jade," Sasha purred.
Jade straightened, eyeing the dark figure with bright eyes.
"Looks like the shape you left me in," Sasha said, "when you ditched me for dear Kris."
"Get away from me!"
"Who'd he leave you for?"
Jade said nothing, pain spiraling through him.
"He left you for someone," Sasha insisted, drawing near.
"What do you want, Sasha?"
"My lover is in pain, and you ask me why I'm here?"
"We've been through for hundreds of years," Jade replied.
"True. I still feel when you're upset. We've always had that bond."
Jade knew he should've walked away the moment Sasha appeared. He found himself lingering, wanting to feel a little less alone. Sasha was their enemy.
Kris's enemy.
He faced Sasha, recalling the years they'd spent together. He broke off their relationship when Kris took interest in him and soon after, Kris convinced Andre to banish Sasha to Hell.
Trying to convince himself he was too angry to think straight, Jade shook his head and turned away.
"Whether or not you still care for me, you care for him. Let me help you, Jade." Sasha's voice stopped him again. "A favor from an old friend who doesn't want to see you in pain."
"I don’t trust you, Sasha."
"You did once, long ago. Come and sit with me, like old times. I'll take your pain away."
Jade squeezed his eyes closed and said hoarsely, "No one can help me."
"I can. Come with me. An hour is all I ask. If you tell me to leave at the end of it, I'll never bother you again."
He hesitated, at war with himself. There was nothing Sasha could ever say, nothing he could ever do in an hour. But right now, Jade needed someone who understood him, as only Sasha always had.
"One hour," Jade said. "Then you leave me alone forever."
"Deal," Sasha said. "Come with me, my love."