So Much Pain

*Ainslee*

I have to sit down because of the pain in my chest. Annamarie sits next to me while Jerim kneels down, checking my vitals.

“She’s not going to let him go,” I say. “She’s not going to let either of them go. She’s going to take the gold and run.”

“And we will follow her,” one of the guards grunts determinedly.

I wonder if I will ever breathe again.

“If something happens to Rafe, you will know,” Jerim tries to reassure me. “You will feel it over the bond.”

“Right now, I just feel worried,” I say.

“That’s to be expected. Rafe’s probably feeling worried, too,” he says kindly.

I lean my head back against a tree trunk and rub my aching chest. “He’s worried this separation is forever, just like I am.”

“It won’t be. I promise if it takes the rest of our lives, we will find him,” he vows.

I take his hand and squeeze it. “Thank you, Jerim.”

Annamarie leans her head on my shoulder as we wait for what seems like forever.