AN: here's a new chapter enjoy!

Recap

" let me say it I might not get another chance… before I met you I didn't really know how to live, I confused existing with living but now I think I understand when I'm with you I feel like I can breathe I feel like I can be who I am, it might sound strange but I think loving you has turned me into a living person so I just wanted thank you for giving me the chance to love you", I could feel his arms unclasping as he pulled away from the embrace to look at my tear streamed face, looking into my eyes, he didn't say anything his hands rose slowly coming to rest on my cheeks, leaning forward his lips collided with mine and as they engulfed me a mixture of salt tears skin and warmth convinced me that I too was loved.

Chapter 10: Survival

Pulling away he kept staring into my eyes slowly turning around he kneeled once more offering me his back.

"don't worry I'll carry you slowly to the horses, I don't want you to collapse" I leaned forward wrapping my arms around his neck letting my body rest on his back, rising up he supported my legs as he made his way slowly to where our horses stood.

"I wish we could go on like this forever, you carrying me on your back holding me worrying about me wouldn't be nice if we could".

"Where would we go?"

"Anywhere as long as it with you I'd follow you anywhere".

"Even to your death"

"Even to the depth of hell'

"Am I that important to you?"

"You're all I have left in this world", sighing sadly this thought started swirling around my head.

"I'm not sure that's a good thing" although I couldn't see I knew he was smirking and I found myself smiling too. Unfortunately the moment didn't last and we were in front of the horses he placed me on top of the horse. We rode back in comfortable silence, when arrived we found Tristan had made lunch he turned to face us his face contorted with concern.

''mon Cherie what happened to your face you're all bruised" he came over, running his cool hands along the bruised skin on my face I flinched at his cool touch then I felt Damien's cold grasp as he pulled me away from Tristan.

Clearing his throat holding onto my hands he walked off to the sink wet a cloth with cold water and placed it on my forehead. I could feel Tristan eyes on us I turned to look,

''being very possessive aren't we lord van dyke"

"I won't permit you to touch her anymore even if you're my friend Christine is mine" I could feel my face beaming without even thinking I wrapped my arms around him clearing his throat again he pushed me away.

Pacing towards the table he murmured "We should eat".

We sat together I ate my meal and they drank theirs, this is nice I thought three friends enjoying a meal together an outsider might have mistaken us for carefree youngsters, but we ate our last meal with heavy hearts all aware that this might be the last of its kind, the last time we three could sit eating laughing and living together.

After the meal my weariness caught up with me I left Damien and Tristan in the kitchen and headed up the stairs collapsing on the bed I fell asleep.

Damian pov

It has been a good day Christine was doing well with training and I had finally accepted her heart. As I sat in the kitchen sharing a drink with my best friend having bid farewell to the first and last women I will ever love I was engulfed by misery, it wasn't long now until that day which would change everything forever. A day I was sure we couldn't all survive and for the first time in my life I felt fear and a sense of helplessness at not being able to protect those close to me I sighed I could feel the intent gaze of my friend on me turning to face him

''you've changed it's only been about a year but you've changed you seem I don't know older more tired"

"I am tired and older but also a lot happier change is necessary"

"Lets drink to that then lets drink to change", and we did… we did.

The next morning I found myself standing over a sleeping Christine her long locks sprawled across the pillow she looked so peaceful kneeling down I stroked away her hair entranced by her beauty I needed to get a grip or I might end up doing something foolish. She begun to stir opening her eyes she smiled, oh how far we'd come.

"Morning did you sle.. have a goodnight" smiling at her correction I nodded sitting up in her bed she started stroking my hair taking her hand I examined them they were so tiny so fragile. Releasing them I stood up waking towards the door she was sitting up staring at me with her glistening hazel eyes.

"Go wash up we've got more training it isn't long now". The whole morning passed in a blur we did some more training she had mastered her crystallization skills and we had moved on to transference powers seeing if she could command inanimate objects at will to move where she commands. She was surprisingly good I got clipped a few time by the logs she threw in my direction, afterwards Christine would run to me checking if I'm okay.

Normal POV

"Stop worrying about me my flesh heals yours doesn't so let's concentrate on making sure you can protect yourself"

She just looked at him bemused.

" I'm learning so I can protect you" beaming up at the man she loved she instantly regretted what she said as the intent look in his eyes changed , walking up to her grabbing her shoulders tightly he pulled her in close.

"Tell me your joking Christine… tell me your joking'' he searched her eyes for any sign of a retraction there was none sighing, he let go facing away from her.

"Look Damien I don't know what you want me to say… that I won't even check if your still living that I won't protect you I can't do that'

"Why not you'll die if you don't"

"And you might if I do" they just looked at each other a mixture of frustration, anger and love whirling around in their eyes.

Walking toward the castle "let's begin again after lunch" were the words she heard as the man she wanted to save walked away from her. Damien retreated to the sanctuary of the study and his big black leather chair closing his eyes, he tried to calm the worrying in his heart. After walking around the castle Christine finally found Damien in the study she quietly walked in, his eyes still closed she sat on the arm rest she placed her hand on his head.

Opening his eyes Damien was met by her big hazel eyes.

"I'm sorry I won't be careless I won't I just wanted you to know that I'm always on your side no matter what" leaning in Christine placed her head against Damien.

" I know just don't die"

" I won't … now come on I have more to learn if we're going to survive this", reassured a little Damien led Christine out and back to training.

It almost seemed like the week had ended with a will of a wisp and Damien was left with a dilemma Christine had done well but he still felt she was underprepared convincing her would be useless he had no choice… no choice.

Damien POV

It was the foreshadowed day and I could feel fear rising up right to the tip of my spine I wasn't the only one Tristan was trembling.

"where's Christine"

"still sleeping"

" she should be ready by now " I just looked at my friend and he knew.

"she's not coming is she"

"I can't let her die I can't"

"so.."

"I've bound her she won't be able to leave"

"if you make it through this she'll never forgive you"

"I can live without her forgiveness but not without her"

To be continued…