Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 102136 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102136 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
Flame’s eyes darted over the brothers, and then landed on Viking and AK. He didn’t meet their eyes, but his head remained angled their way. “Them,” he rasped. I knew he was referring to AK and Viking. “They can do it. Only them.” A burst of heat blossomed in my chest. Hope. It was the blissful feeling of hope. Even in the fog clouding his mind, Flame recognized his best friends.
AK and Viking slowly moved to Asher. I drifted closer as they began to cut the ropes that bound him. As the ropes fell away, Viking lifted Asher from the tree, as gently as a disciple lifting Christ from the cross of Calvary. When Viking placed Asher down on the ground, Asher’s legs buckled. He was too weak to walk. I dared not leave Flame, fighting the instinct to run to him and wrap him in my embrace. Flame’s agitation increased and panic set on his face as he watched his brother being freed. AK moved closer to Asher, and I had to stop myself from sobbing as Asher fell against AK and wrapped his weakened arms around AK’s neck. Asher wouldn’t let go, tucking his head into the safety of AK’s chest. AK realized this, and simply held him. “It’s okay, kid. I got you,” AK whispered, letting Asher slip deeper into his embrace.
In that moment I was reminded of what Asher was—a child. A child who, like Flame, had lost his mama and was thrust into a life no one should have to endure. He had a brother who loved him, but who struggled to show this love. To ensure that Asher knew, with unwavering certainty, that Flame needed him in his life.
AK slowly carried Asher away. Rider rushed to Asher as AK lay him on the ground. But AK did not let go of Asher’s hand. Kept telling him he was going to be okay. Flame began thrashing against the ropes. When I followed his line of sight, he was reacting to Rider giving Asher aid.
“They are saving him,” I assured Flame, who stilled and looked into my eyes. Even now, in the hell in which he was trapped, Flame met my eyes. I was the only person from whom he never looked away. I did not know if he recognized me as his wife, but his soul called to mine, still holding the bond that God, or destiny, had created for us. For us to find one another when all was lost, and we feared salvation could never be found.
I stepped closer. My very presence seemed to calm Flame. His breathing slowed and his body lost tension. I still registered the confusion in his eyes. Saw how the snake venom had affected him—his dilated eyes, the sweat on his skin. “Do you… do you know who I am?” I dared ask and fought the urge to lay my hands upon his chest. To feel my husband’s heartbeat against my palm and pray that he knew the touch of his wife.
Flame studied my face. Sadness engulfed me when I realized he did not know me. I opened my mouth to speak, when he whispered, “Angel.” I could not move as he spoke. “The angel in my dreams who rescues me from the flames, from the cellar.” I exhaled, my heart shattering into a thousand pieces. “The angel who finds me when I’m lost…” Flame’s voice slurred, and his eyes began to close. I quickly looked back at AK and Viking, signaling for their help with a single nod.
“We need to get him down.” Panic began to take hold of me. I looked back to Flame, and his eyes rolled with the threatening unconsciousness. AK and Viking rushed over and began cutting through Flame’s ropes. They caught him as he fell. Flame’s eyes widened in shock, stimulated by the fear of being touched. I swiftly moved before him and caught the attention of his wandering gaze. He immediately relaxed.
“We will save you,” I whispered. Flame exhaled. I knew how far he had slipped into the darkness when I felt him take hold of my hand. Flame’s rough fingers wrapped loosely around mine. Our palms kissed and assured me that, even fighting the flames and the horrors from his past, Flame knew I was meant to be by his side. That I was his protector, and always would be. That any darkness he would travel through, I would follow behind, lamp in hand, on a quest to find him and bring him back into the light.
This little light of mine…
I held on to Flame’s hand as his body relaxed and his eyes finally closed. “Rider!” AK called. AK and Viking carried Flame to where Asher was being treated. I could smell the rubbing alcohol Rider had applied to Asher’s wounds. Bandages littered Asher’s body—his torso and arms. A choked sound left Asher’s mouth as Flame was laid down beside him.