“Francis?” His brows furrowed when Francis offered him a hand in greeting. “What are you—” His words were lost in the wind when his gaze fell on me. He swallowed, Francis’ hand long forgotten. “Lia?” he whispered, his eyes filling with horror.
Chapter 31. Old Friend.
The ground opened up underneath my feet, sucking me into the underworld that awaited my end.
I gasped for air; my mind spiraled, drowning in its own web as I stood in front of the man I’d thought I would never see again.
I took a careful step towards him.
His bronze hair was slightly longer than I remembered—almost reaching his jaw—his green eyes dulled with time. His light skin now wore a slight tan.
His lips were moving, yet no sound reached my ears. Everything spun and blurred as he walked towards me until no distance had separated us.
His hands fell onto my cheeks, his eyes staring into mine, yet only emptiness filled me when I met his gaze. His hands wrapped me into a tight embrace, my face pressed against his shoulder.
His body shook against mine, a muffled sound of laughter coming from his mouth, yet I could not understand a word he said.
My hands hung by my sides, limp. My eyes planted on my company, confusion shone in their eyes.
I sucked in a breath, realization slowly washing over me.
My stomach dropped to my heels as I pushed myself away from the embrace. My hands fell onto his shoulders as though only a touch could be proof I was awake.
“You are alive,” I said more to myself than to him, my voice did not belong to me.
A soft smile decorated his face, willing my anger to wake.
My brows furrowed as my hands clenched onto his flesh, my nails digging into his shirt. “You are alive,” I seethed through clenched teeth when my fists landed on Gabriel’s chest.
Gabriel staggered backwards into the house as my fists kept striking his chest. “How dare you be alive!” I shouted, caring not who heard. “How dare you stand alive before me—” I pushed him further: he did not protest, staggering deeper into his house. “How dare you!”
“I’m—” He put his hands up in surrender as my fists kept finding their place on his chest.
“How dare you!” My palm landed on his cheek, leaving a red mark across his face. “You betrayed me!” My hand reached for the Royal steel dagger at my belt. “You are a disgrace to his memory!” I swung the blade to his throat.
“Whoa—all right,” Francis’ hand caught my armed one in the air. “All right.” He dragged me by my waist, away from Gabriel. “We need him alive, love,” he purred into my ear, tightening his grasp around me when I struggled against him.
“Burn in hell!” I yelled at Gabriel as his chest rose and fell. Confusion and hurt crossed his features when he closed his eyes.
“I can explain.” Gabriel put his hands down, still shaken from the reaction he certainly had not expected—yet he should have had! His eyes lingered between me and Francis.
I fought against Francis’ grasp, in vain. “Let go of me, Francis.” I struggled; Francis didn’t budge, tightening his grasp. “Let go of me,” my voice dropped to a growl.
The door closed behind us as Roxanne and Simon emerged into the house. Their gazes falling onto my raised weapon.
