My Mate and Brother's Betrayal

18 One Last Time Drake POV

When my eyes open, I'm on the side of the road watching a scene that has played over in my nightmares time and time again since I was a child. I watch David and Jared step through the portal and my whole body freezes. When that ba**ard walks up to the car, I refuse to watch him take my parents from me again. I wish that I could forget that day.

The worst day of my life. The day that changed everything about my future. "Drake," a familiar feminine voice calls my name. I look up to see my parents nearing the trees. This is the part of the nightmare that's changed recently, but I'm not sure why. My mother's eyes lock with mine and I stagger back. I swear she sees me even though that's not possible.

"Drake, come here sweet boy" she says. I feel like I'm losing my mind. I know none of this is real, but I don't care. I'm not sure where I am, but I don't care as long as I can see my parents. Maybe the goddess listened to my plea. Maybe this isn't a dream. I push the thoughts about what happened before I opened my eyes here and focus on my parents.

I start to walk toward them and my father's warm smile has my chest tightening. I have wished so many times to see my parents just one more time. They turn, walking through the trees. I can feel panic well up in my body. I start to run, not wanting them to disappear. Not wanting whatever this is to be over. When I make it through the trees my heart sinks. I'm alone

again. They are gone. I fall to my knees and, for the first time since I was five years old, the

sound of my sobs can be heard out loud.

After a few seconds, a firm hand on my shoulder startles me. I gasp when I look up into eyes that are exactly like mine. "We have missed you my sweet boy" my mother's voice says from behind me. I scramble to my feet and look between my mother and father. They look exactly as they did the day I lost them. "You look so much like your father. You're so handsome my son," my mother says. Goddess, I wish I could tell her I've missed them both so much. She smiles so warmly, opening her arms to me.

I step closer wrapping my arms around her without hesitation. The last time I hugged my mother my arms were barely around her waist, but now I tower over her. "I've missed you both

so much." I freeze when my words reach my ears. My mother chuckles and I pull back to look

at her face. "You heard me when I spoke."

'Of course, sweet boy. David's veil spell can't reach you here" my father says. My mother

releases me and my father pulls me into his arms. Despite my size, I feel like that five-year-old boy again as my father hugs me tightly. When I step back, my mother reaches up, brushing

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18 One Last Time

tears from my cheeks.

"We are so sorry for all you have had to go through, my son. I'm sorry I didn't see David's true feelings or what he intended to do," my dad says. "No, I won't let you blame yourself. That ba**ard took you from me. He is the reason I have suffered and none of that is your fault."

"We heard what you said before you passed out" my mother says, both sadness and anger in her eyes. "So I'm not dead. This is all just a dream." "No, you are not dead and this is not aContent rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.

dream. This place is like in between the living and dead. The goddess sent us here to speak to

you because she knew you were losing the will to keep fighting. I don't ever want to hear you wish you were with us again mister," my mother says.

I didn't get in trouble much as a child, but I remember her saying this to me the few times I did something she didn't like. I try not to smile hearing her reprimand me knowing she isn't happy that I wished for my life to end. "I know what has happened to you isn't fair, but you need to live. You are to be the future king of elves. Besides, what will your beloved do if she loses you," my mother says.

"Mom, I have no beloved. David has made sure of that. Just like he has made sure I have no

powers and no voice." Anger flashes in her eyes before she takes my face in her hands. "He may have hindered what was meant to be, but he took nothing from you. He is a weak useless little elf" she says, and my father chuckles. She glares at him before looking back at me. "You have a beautiful beloved who has vowed to find you. You both are so special and once you are together, all of this will be nothing more than a bad memory. As for your powers, they are in here" she says, placing her hand over my heart. "Your voice may have been silenced, but it was never lost. When it is time for you to speak against that worthless excuse for an elf, you'll find your voice again," she says.

"I know what we are asking is a lot, my son, but you need to stay strong. I hate the pain you

have endured and if I could have shouldered it all I would have, but it will make you a better

king, beloved, and father. You will protect our people the way I would have. I am proud of you, my son. I'm proud to be your father" he says.

"I love you Drake. We both do. I want you to remember your beloved every time you feel like giving up," my mother says. Hope blooms in my chest at the thought of a woman that is

destined to be mine. "Now, it's time for you to go back" my father says. "Can't I just stay here a

little longer. I miss you both so much. I'm sure I'll never see you again after this."You won't see us, but we will always be with you," my father says.

"When you find your mate, when you become king, and when you have your children, we will be

with you, I want you to thank Jasmine for me. I won't be upset if you call her mom Drake.

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18 One Last Time

You'll know when the time is right, but it won't take anything away from the love you have for me," my mother says. She presses a kiss on my cheek before hugging me one more time. When she releases me, my father pulls me in for a hug. My eyes flutter closed as he hugs me tightly. Everything around me seems to fade away. I hear a steady beeping and smell the scent of antiseptic surrounds me. "If he f**king dies, so will you," David says. "My king, Marion, is doing her best. His injuries are quite extensive" a male voice I don't know says.

"Did I ask for your input, Vincent? Speak again without permission, and I'll make sure you get the same treatment as the slave. I want to be informed the minute he opens his eyes. Am I clear," David asks. "Yes, my king" a soft feminine voice

answers.

A door slams and for a long pause the beeping is the only sound I hear. "Can you help him Marion?" "I will do everything I can Vincent. He has lost a lot of blood. I've used a healing balm on the wounds that were inflicted by the whip," she says. It takes me a few tries to finally force

my eyes open.

I'm weak, but I'm alive. Everything that my parents said is playing over in my mind. I have a beloved and she is coming here. Both excitement and fear course through me at the thought of the woman I'm destined to be with stepping foot in this kingdom. "Drake, you're awake" says the man I now recognize as Jasmine's guard.

I almost try to speak, but I remember instantly this is not the in between. This is the real world where I'm mute. "How are you feeling" he says, offering me a pen and paper. I manage to write sore but alive. "That's good, we were worried about you. The queen is beside herself because she couldn't come here to see you herself. She cares deeply for you," he says.

I shake my head because I don't want her here. I know what David said, but I won't take the chance that he will hurt her. "Drake, this is my wife and beloved, Marion. She is a nurse here in the hospital. She will take care of you. I'm not sure what the king will do once he knows you are awake, so I will hold off telling him for a little while.

I'm going to stand guard outside your door. If I knock on the door, you close your eyes and pretend to still be asleep. We will give you as much time as we can to heal before we tell him

you are awake," he says. I can't help but ask why he is helping me. If David finds out he won't

hesitate to kill him. I write the question on the paper he gave me earlier.

"My queen could not be here as she wanted to because she feared what the king would do to you. She sent me in her place to make sure that you were cared for. My father also told me stories of the true king. I may only be one elf, but I will do all I can to protect you and my queen." I offer him a grateful smile. "Alright my warrior, the patient needs his rest," she says. 3/4 

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18 One Last Time

Vincent presses a kiss on her forehead and steps out of the room. For the first time in a very long time, I have hope.