I can tell by the softness of his touch who it is.
Avian’s a saint in a sinner’s paradise.
"Did you find her?" I finally rasp out.
A pause sinks into the room before he speaks. “No. It’s an hour before dawn. I searched all night, but she isn’t in the castle. Nor the gardens, the forests, or even your pack.”
I blink at that. She’s gone . . .
Would Creatchin punish her because of me? Can Vanitee protect her from what I’ve done?
The inhale that hits my lungs is weak and wavering, and I don’t realize I’m crying until the tears turn cold against my cheeks.
What the fuck did they do to my sister?!
No one ties my hands when they walk me out of my little closet of a cell. The air here is musky and heavy with an ashen scent. When they open the door fully and I make my way out, Roman slides in at my side while Avian follows at the back. Zilo of course, leads us down the dark hall lined with doors.
Then Roman slips his hand into mine. The feel of it isn’t comforting like I wish it was. It’s distracting, though. And that’s nice, I suppose.
Because Avian and I... we’re something. More than friends. Lovers. Definitely lovers. And Roman is Avian’s best friend. Yet, neither of them is possessive of me. Roman just doesn’t have a single clue where that leaves things with him and I. I need a shoulder to lean on in this moment, and that’s all that seems to matter in his mind.
I don’t understand it, but I’m so fucking thankful.
I’m thankful for all three of them. I wish I could tell them that, but my body feels too numb. My jaw is so clenched it hurts. I can’t imagine what chaos I’m about to walk into.
But I keep walking anyway.
The soft press of our boots along the stone floor is the counting of seconds in my mind.
One, two, three, four . . .
The stairs I find us climbing pass by in the darkness are as equally numbered. Counted and filed away to never be thought of again. My steps are all my thoughts are aware.
Those quiet steps and Roman’s warmth seeping into my chilled skin.
I peer up at him. The line of his nose is the only feature I can make out among the shadows. I try to imagine his calming green eyes. I try so damn hard to think of anything that might bring me solace.
A shaft of light spans through the dense blackness. It slices over us like the sun threatening to burn us alive.
And then Roman looks at me.
The brightest green eyes focus solely on me. A sunburst of color. He’s so beautiful. His attention smooths across every single emotion I’m not even aware of that might be upon my face.
His hold on my hand tightens, and he takes a single step closer to me, as if he might wrap me up in his strength and never let me go.
That—that is the solace I was looking for.
Then another big hand is wrapping around my other wrist, and with a slow and reluctant pull, he brings me into that harsh, white light. Through slitted eyes I peer around at the dusty arena circling over me. Harsh sunlight blinds me from the faces peering down at me. The memory of Prince Ravar and the menhe killed in this vary space flits through my mind but right now, it isn’t their time to die. It’s mine.
Roman’s eyes widen when he sees the passiveness in my features. Fear washes into those beautiful, haunting eyes of his.
And then he lets me go.
“Cersia of The Upper Realm, daughter of Tomlin, are you aware of the crimes held against you?” A voice booms over me from somewhere I can’t fully see.
The crimes?
The quick death of a batty little fairy blurs through my mind.
