Chapter 336: Promise For The Greater Good
"I don’t make such promises." Ivan quietly clipped, his voice measured, but also laced with an unexpected fervor that sent her heart skipping. He was already giving her that look that made her conscious of his present mood, but Samantha knew she had to speak with him regardless of if he fancied the topic or not.
"Ivan..."
His eyes bore into hers, letting her see the finality in his decision, and also the fact that he didn’t agree to take this walk with her only to hear her spew this nonsense to him, but Samantha, remaining undeterred, tried to change his mind.
"You don’t understand what I’m trying to say to you, and besides, I’m only asking you to make this promise so I can be reassured of everyone’s safety." An unspoken tension threaded the misty air, and Samantha felt the weight of her request hanging in the air. As if her heart was heavy with the memories of her actions, she released a deep breath and said to her husband, her voice barely rising above the murmur of the sea.
"I’ve seen these images of my past life, Ivan, the things I have done, the chaos I am capable of creating. I’ve killed so many people and I refuse to let such tragedy repeat itself." Her green eyes shun with perseverance, despite the fear in her heart. "There was a time I enjoyed having these powers I possess. They seemed harmless at that time, I could control them at my free will but now, all I want to do is get rid of them. This whispers... I still hear them, they’ve been deeply embedded in my thoughts and I fear that I might be a threat to everyone around me, so–"
"And where is this nonsense coming from?" Ivan’s normally composed demeanor flickered, replaced by a flash of irritation. "If you’re joking about that request of yours then it’s not a funny one. Forgive me but you are out of your mind to think that I will agree to something as foolish as that. Believe me when I say there’s nothing wrong with you, they’re all in your head, nothing of that sort will happen to you, ever!"
"Ivan, please!" Samantha pleaded, her eyes pleading for some reassurance. "You have to make this promise to me. I won’t be at rest until you do."
"Forget it! I won’t entertain the notion of taking your life, especially at your own request." His expression darkened at her persistence, the calm veneer shattered by an unexpected storm within. "Do you think so little of our bond? To assume I’d be the one to bring an end to your existence?"
"It’s not about our bond, don’t misunderstand me." Samantha could feel the morning air turn colder, as if mirroring the frost her request had brought between them. "I swear it’s not about that, but it’s about responsibility, doing the right thing. It’s for the safety of everyone, and I won’t be able to live with myself knowing that I am a threat to those I care about. Most especially when it comes to you. When I think back to how you never raised a sword against me, the more I wished you did, cause maybe then, I wouldn’t have hurt you the way I did. Alistair would still be alive! What I’m asking you to do for me is for the greater good."