The Mark of Love & War [HOLD]

Chapter 4 - Forgive or Forget?

I shut my eyes and took a deep breath to calm my emotions. "I can't." I mumbled so only she could hear.

"Why?" She leaned forward.

I glanced to the side as he entered the bar with searching eyes. His t-shirt was now on and yet he looked even masculine than before.

"Because it'll ruin everything." I leaned back. "He wasn't supposed to be back in my life."

"Then why are you screaming at him for not coming back." She asked slowly but seriously.

"Because..." My mind wandered to the day of my Decision. Things happened that day... Things I wanted to keep buried. "Because... Bonnie..."

"Alright, don't answer. Drink your alcohol." She handed me the drink and I stared at it now slightly against the idea of consuming any at all. "Changed your mind?"

"No." I scoffed. I took a hesitant sip and groaned. It was a bittersweet taste of cherry. The alcohol or whatever they used was heavy here. It burnt a horrible trail all the way down my throat and I felt it land in the pit of my stomach. "Yes." I pushed it away and saw the bartender at the side chuckling.

Someone sat beside me and I frowned. "I did say you could follow but I didn't say you could join us did I?"

"Look at me."

"I'd rather if I didn't." I mumbled.

Cameron's hand came to my jaw and turned me to face him roughly. I widened my eyes in surprise. But then I frowned because I couldn't do anything. He was so used to the burn and the fact that I'd taught him how to manipulate a flame many centuries ago didn't help. 

His brilliant blue eyes gazed into mine as he said, "I want to talk to you. About everything. Not just about me but about you." He let go of my jaw slowly as if I'd turn away but I didn't. "I want you to listen. Will you? Please?"

I looked down at my mark. I needed to listen to him. To speak to him. But... 

I glanced at the side of his neck at his erratic pulse. There were too many memories with him. Too many things happened. It just reminded me that I'd lost more than one person two and a half years ago. 

His heartbeat was a reminder of the past. Of something I'd done to save him... 

I opened my mouth to reply when a shout form the other end of the bar caught our attention.

"Is that really you?" 

I looked to Cameron and then Bonnie and then around the bar.

"Goddess of Power, Princess of the almighty Angelic World, The Decider!!" 

I squeezed my eyes shut. Damn the books and paintings of me.

"Come here; I want to talk to you." The large man stood up. Half of his face had his mark on it. It was an ugly mark compared to most I have seen. His was completely unattractive and I felt sorry for him for having it in such an unfortunate place.

"No, thank you sir. We'll just be leaving." Cameron paid the bartender as we stood up. I grabbed Bonnie's hand and started for the door. As we were walking out of the bar, a sweaty hand gripped my upper arm.

"I wasn't asking, Princess." He grinned down at me. He looked battered and bruised. He probably looked for fights. "Maybe you and your friend can join us over there."

"No." I said. "Now, if you'll excuse me." I tried taking my arm from his grasp but he tightened it. I didn't even flinch. "Sir--"

"I know what you can do, Princess. Show me."