I am the worst of fools, thinking maybe fate would let us find happiness in this life after suffering for so long.
“Senan?” Allette’s voice is like a whisper in the silence.
I kneel next to the mattress, afraid of disturbing her even though her wounds have been healed. “I’m here, my love. I’m right here.”
“I need your help…”
“I know, my love. I’ve healed you.”
The tears swimming in her eyes spill onto my pillowcase. “No… I… I killed a guard. He was drunk, and he tried to force himself on me. H-he called me your…your whore.”
If she hadn’t killed him, I would have gladly melted his flesh from his bones and let the wild beasts of the Nether Forest tear his limbs asunder. “I am sorry I ever let you return to those caverns. I have failed you once more, but I swear it will not happen a third time.”
Her glittering eyes cling to mine, searching until they flutter and drift closed once more.
Jeston watches in rapt silence as I stand, prepared to fight the whole fucking world and the stars if I must. “Get her things. She will not be returning to the caverns. Have Braith bring them here.”
His eyes widen. “Braith doesn’t have access to the family wing.”
“Then tell whoever is in charge to give her access.” Honestly, how hard is it to figure out? “Who ordered the lashes?”
“The House Master.”
Looks like I’ll be paying the House Master a visit. I glance back toward Allette. Unsure if she is listening, I keep my voice low. “Did you get the antidote?”
His dark brows slam down over narrowed eyes. “I’m still working on it.”
And I’m running out of time.
“If you speak a word of this to anyone, I will take your head.” I don’t care if it’s signing my own death warrant. If anyone hears the truth of what Allette has done, I’m not even sure my influence can save her.
With a nod, Jeston leaves me to my chaotic thoughts.
As much as I want to visit the House Master immediately, the thought of leaving Allette here on her own makes me physically ill. What if she wakes only to find me gone? No, no. I can’t leave.
Nor can I sleep. So I pace, my anger only growing with each step I take.
First, I’ll deal with the bastard who did this to my girl. Then, I’ll have Bilson go to the registrar about Allette’s tower. There will be training later that I won’t be allowed to miss, but some extra time in the sun will help replenish my power.
Once Allette is back on her feet, she can move in to her tower and be far away from this place and these people. I still can’t believe anyone in his right mind would consider corporal punishment a proper response to taking books.
The servants’ door creaks open, and a maid slips into the room with a small bundle clutched to her chest. She hesitates before lifting her mask, and I recognize woman with silver hair from that night at the Black Hole.
Did Jeston not tell her to bring all of Allette’s things? “Where is the rest of it?” I ask.
Braith glances down at the bundle, then back to me, her brow furrowing. “This is all she had in her room, sire.”
These are Allette’s only possessions? What sort of life must she have lived down in the human realm? I’ve been so caught up in reconciling with my mate that I never even thought to ask about her time there. To have gone down to that festival four years ago so full of life and hope and love only to return emptyhanded, without her wings…
All because I asked her to stay.
If I hadn’t been so fucking selfish?—
Braith whimpers when she sets the bundle onto the corner of the bed. “You’re in pain.”
“I am fine, sire.”
If she sustained the same wounds as Allette, there is no way her back is fine. Clearly, this woman is as stubborn as my girl. I cross to my bedside table to collect the ointment I use to heal my hands when my magic runs low. My guilt over what happened to Allette returns tenfold, so heavy, my shoulders bow. Do I even deserve her? All my love seems to do is rip her asunder.