TRISTON'S POV

"I'm getting you out of here. After last night, there ain't no way in hell you're staying here. I'll face the consequences or leave with you. Whichever, your safety comes first to me," I told Alisdelisgi gruffly as she woke up. Gently, I lifted her up and kissed her forehead. Clinging to me for dear life, she sobbed as I'd never seen her sob before, not even in the spirit dream last night.

"You shouldn't do this. If I wind up pregnant with his child, I'm gonna have to marry him anyway. I love you, and don't love anybody but you. I should have tried something, but I couldn't use my powers because of whatever ropes he used, which also prevented me from fighting. It's all my fault."

She could barely talk above a whisper without getting choked up. Anger rose within me at the thought of what the monster did to her before I came back around and got there. The bruises on her face and arms already had me pissed as hell. To make things worse, when I got there, she was alone with her dress torn to shreds, and bound to the bed. Now, her statement confirmed my worst fears.

Her cool, ice blue eyes melted as I leaned down and kissed her soft lips while wiping her tears away. "You are the most beautiful girl I know. What you don't deserve is to be treated like a scumbag. My love, if you wind up pregnant with his child, I will claim him or her as my own and marry you. You don't deserve to be with that bastard, not when he's harmed you like this, and I've loved you from the first. He's currently incapable of getting out and about, and he won't know you're gone for quite some time. I would go to the ends of the earth to make you safe. That, I promise on Alisdelsgi, the Goddess of Protection."

Tenderly, I set her down and began packing her necessities. I think I had about a weeks worth of everything she needed. I could feel her watching my every move. Everything flew by in a hazy sort of dream. I was finally going to free her after six weeks of her being held in captivity. Slowly, she got up to help me pack. Half whispering, she asked, "What about your stuff, Love? Surely you need clothes and food too." I laughed, but didn't say anything. Through her pain and sorrow, a small light of joy shone in her eyes.

Finally, when we were both packed, we made our way outside the grounds without a problem. Once we got outside, she looked totally confused. All around us was a dense growth of trees, basically, a wooded area surrounded the grounds for about seven miles. "You'll be a mess when we get out of here. We're about ten miles from any civilization, and seven of those are uncharted woods. It'll be a while before we get to town, and a while longer before we get to your hometown."

About three days later, we came to a stream, and decided to make camp for the night. After setting up a makeshift tent, I watched her cooking the food over the fire. Oh, man did it smell delicious! If her cooking is as good as it smells, I'm sold to her.

Almost as if she felt me watching her, she turned and flashed me one of her winning half smiles. The joy that lit up those ice blue eyes was something I hadn't seen since her mother died. When she was done cooking, she served the fish with some kind of berries. Man, next to my mama, she was the best cook I've ever met! After the meal, we wrapped up the food, and washed the plates using boiled creek water.

A few minutes later, she'd vanished without a trace. Trying to fight panic, I went to the creek hoping she would be there. Sure enough, she was bathing in the creek with her back to me. God, was she beautiful! I knew I should leave before she turned, but I couldn't take my eyes off of her.

She was so slim and muscular. Her red flaming curls were plastered to her broad shoulders and down her back, outlining her already defined feminine curves. The glowing birthmark, of one who possessed all five elements, on her back just added to her beauty.

Taking off my boots, I decided to risk it. Steadily going down the bank, I waded into the creek, coming up behind her. Putting my hands around her waist, I turned her around and pulled her closer to me. Surprise and fear in her eyes turned into a playful light as she splashed me with the chilly water.

A teasing smile pulled at her full pink lips. The light in her eyes didn't fade away as she pulled me down with surprising strength and kissed me. Surprise melted into desire and passion for her. Wrapping her arms around my waist, she buried her head into my neck. Holding her there was all I wanted to do. In my heart and mind, I knew she was mine and I was hers. I would die protecting her. A rustle in the nearby brush broke the peaceful moment, putting me into defense mode as she scrambled to get dressed.

Creeping forward, I was worried that Zmey had discovered our escape and sent somebody after us. Honestly, it wouldn't have surprise me if that was the case. "Who's there? Whoever it is, come out with your hands behind your head," I demanded. Staying where I was, I pushed open the brush, which revealed one of Zmey's servants, my twin brother and polar opposite. "Tyler, if you've come to take us back, we'll you'll be sorry you ever came out," I said icily. Throwing me a confused look he stepped forward and surveyed the surroundings.

"Actually, I came to tell you you've got three days to get out of these woods and that you cannot take the girl to her hometown. Zmey has spies all throughout the town. Don't worry Brother, your escape and your love are safe as long as you go to this place." This completely surprised me, especially when he handed me an address. Reading it, I was shocked.

"Tyler, what in the Lord's name makes you think our childhood home is safe? He'd know to look there, because that's where he hired me at." Stepping forward, I looked for any dishonesty in his eyes and probed his mind for any hint of betrayal.

"Ah, Brother. Do you not understand that I want the best for you? The house is warded with magic keeping anybody who's not wanted outside the grounds. Anybody who goes out is protected by that same magic which disguises them to keep them safe. It's something Mama and Papa set in place before they died."

Tearing up, he held out his hand in a gesture of understanding and friendship, which was strange as we'd been rivals and enemies for so long. How he knew where to find us, I had yet to figure out. Oh well, I figured I could trust him since he didn't have any thoughts of betrayal.

Finally, Alisdelisgi came back to my side. Shaking hands with Tyler, she said softly, "I overheard the conversation. Thank you for telling us this. It was very kind of you to do this, knowing the consequences that could await if you were found out. You don't have to do this. I have one question though, WHY are you doing it?" Looking uneasy, he shifted from foot to foot. "I ain't supposed to talk to you, but you ain't at Zmey's, so I guess it'll be okay. I did it because I care about my brother and those he loves. I've hated Zmey for years now and ya'll are only one of the many I've helped escape."

Turning on his heel, he basically disappeared into the dense brush. Shrugging off the strange feeling I had, I took her back to the camp. The night passed without any more interruptions. The next morning, however, was a different story.