Blood-stained water had seeped into my jeans. Nausea lurched.
The pain was too much for her to handle.
I tripped on the metal framing the front door and dropped onto the step. I didn’t feel the slam against my knee; I was too numb.
There was nothing that could be done. She was dead, and from the smell, she’d been that way for a while now.
“Lucian,” I screamed. Birds burst into the sky. I screamed for him again. An ache infiltrated my throat. Tears blinded my eyes, and I sucked in harsh breaths.
My mate burst out of the back door, his chest heaving. He narrowed in on me immediately, sprinting right for me.
“What happened?” He dropped to his knees and grabbed my face, but I couldn’t see him. “What is?—”
All I could do was point behind me insistently. “Fuck, I’ll be right back.” He let me go and brushed past me, storming into the house.
I pressed my palms into the step, bowing my head over it. It didn’t take long for arms to wind around my waist and pull me onto a lap.
“Shh, darling.” Lucian rocked me, holding me tight like he was trying to absorb my emotion.
I cried and cried, the pressure in my chest needing to be released. She’d seemed heartbroken. I should have checked in on her even though she wanted space. We hadn’t been close, but we were getting there. This was so fucking tragic. I hiccupped on a sob. Her mate died, and she couldn’t deal with her torn mate bond.
He lifted me, jostling my eyes open. Night had come, and the stars shimmered in the dark sky.
“Why did she . . .” I wailed, shaking my head into Lucian’s chest.
“This is common for fated, Josephine,” he murmured into my hair. We were near the back door when I lifted my head.
“We can’t just leave?—”
“I made some calls while I was inside the house, she’ll be taken care of.”
I went quiet as he carried me inside and up the stairs, directly to our bedroom. He placed me on the edge of the bed.
“Wait here.” He kissed the top of my head and went to the bathroom. He disappeared behind the arched wall, and the sound of water echoed to me. He was gone for a few minutes, and all I could do was stare. Lucian was right, it happened—often, but damn. I pressed my hand to my chest. I’d like to think I wouldn’t kill myself if Lucian died, but I wasn’t sure. The only thing that would fuel me was any anger I had toward him. Maybe if he died at the beginning of our bond, I would live, but not now. Not when I’d experienced the bliss of being cared for.
His steps echoed to me before he appeared back in the room, coming directly for me with only briefs on. Lucian stared down at me, his eyes worried. He swiped his thumb over my lip, studying me with quiet love.
My lips trembled.
“Let’s get you warmed up,” he murmured.
He pulled the shirt over my head, unhooked my bra, and then worked on my blood-stained jeans. Leaving me in my panties, he lifted me.
The tub was full, and steam rose on the surface. He stepped inside with me still in his arms. The touch of water made it clear how frozen I’d become, but I hadn’t been able to feel it until he’d submerged me in steaming water.
He brushed a few strands that escaped my ponytail behind my ear. I’d thought I’d been shivering before, but the wracks overtaking my limbs were an exaggeration.
This was what Dad wanted to do after Mom passed. I knew he’d be gone if I didn’t exist.
“Tell me about this new job you’re getting?” he whispered. I opened my mouth, but my teeth kept chattering, keeping my words caged. The image of her body in the tub . . .
“It’s okay, Princess, just rest against me.” I remained slumped against him, the water lapping the middle of my bicep.
He gently pulled out my ponytail and brushed his fingers through my hair with soothing strokes. I closed my eyes and sank into him.
29
Isprawled on the cold, cement steps behind the elaborate wedding venue. The work shift was going by quickly and smoothly. Luckily, I was paired with Verity.
