His wings are... gone. And his back is covered in thick, horrific scars. What has this poor guy been through?
“What happened to you?” I ask him carefully, not wanting him to shut me out.
“My father lost his temper and cut them off with his dagger.” He answers with sadness coming through.
Suddenly, it was impossible to ignore the hand squeezing my heart. Staring at him with tears running down my cheeks, I don't know what to say. No words could ever change what he's been through and it kills me.
“Why did he do all this?” I ask, my hand reaching out to touch his scars, his body tensing.
“He had an extreme temperament and he always took everything out on me.” He pauses. “And my mother.” The last three words don't come out without his voice breaking in the most awful way.
His hands immediately covered his beautiful eyes.
Imagining what he’s been through makes me sick to my stomach.
“Do you live with your mother now?” I ask, hoping he’s at a safer place.
“No.” His mouth wobbles. “She’s dead.” He answers me with a cold and sad tone.
“What happened to her?”
“He was furious and killed her after he put me in a cage and threw me out into the woods.” He breathes. “My father is a psychopath, something I had to learn the hard way.”
“I am so, so sorry for what you have been through.” I say, putting my arms around his. Because sometimes, an embrace can say more than a thousand words.
—
“Genevieve, your dress.” He says, making me look down.
“Oh.” I let out, realizing that my favorite dress is completely soaked. “Looks like I’ll have to sunbathe for a while.” I say, trying to lighten the mood.
“I’ll get a new one for you. I don’t want you to get sick.”
“I won’t get sick, Ector. It’s in the middle of summer, it’s warm outside, and the sun is shining brighter than ever.”
“I would still like to get a new one for you.” He insists.
“Okay, where is the next place to stay? Guess we’ll need to do some shopping now that you insist.” I add, even though it felt wrong.
Chapter 20
Ector
“Gather your stuff by the tree and I’ll grab my clothes.” I say.
She looks me up and down before she turns around to do what was ordered. “I prefer you like this.” She murmurs, something I probably wasn’t supposed to hear. But her words didn’t stop my lips from forming a wide, cocky grin.
After gathering our things, I bring forth the old map from the pocket in my pants. “The next place we can stay at should be... I don’t know, the last word is smudged out.” I pause, trying to read. “It says ‘Town Of –ll.” I explain, showing her the map.
“It must beTown Of Well! My mother has been there once. She told me that it’s a wonderful paradise.”
Trusting her word, we continue our journey.
As I should be focusing on the path ahead of us, I can only think of my past. It’s almost like all of it has returned to the surface since I met Genevieve. She allows me tofeel.Something that was strictly forbidden once my mother passed.
To show emotions around my father was to set yourself up for a punishment. It didn’t matter if it was sadness, excitement or joy, there would always be punishment.
Therefore, I had to learn how to suppress it. I had to ignore every little thing that brought me light.
