Chapter Twenty Four
“Hello, Little Siren.”
Everly POV:
Both of our armies and all of our families made it to us in fifteen minutes. There were so many tears. The only ones that didn’t cry were me, Blake, and his father. I couldn’t cry even if I wanted to. I feel nothing except pure terror. So many hands, too many hands, reach out for me. I don't want to be touched. No matter how loud I scream, they won’t stop. Blake still holds me even after we load into a vehicle. His touch burns me like acid. He hums and offers sweet nothings but I can’t hear anything other than her screams. I want it all to stop. I want to stop existing. I want peace.
Blake POV:
She has stopped screaming and I keep telling myself that’s a good sign. I have invited all of the guys back to her house so that everyone can heal in one place. They agreed with no fight.The car slows as we pull up to the gothic mansion. One by one we file out. I still refuse to let go of her. I feel like if I do, she will disappear. As if I blink she will vanish. So I continue to hold her even after my body screams in exhaustion and white hot pain. It’s not until now that I have let myself feel the effects of my capture. My body aches from weakness but I keep holding her until we make it to the bathroom. Until I turn on the shower and wait for it to heat up. Until I walk us in and the water washes away our filth. Only then do I nearly collapse to the floor. I sit on the tiles and gently place her between my legs. Up until now, there was a low level buzz of anxiety glowing through me. Now, it's replaced with a magnitude of panic as I know what I want to do next is something she probably won't let me do easily.
“Everly, I need to remove your clothes. I am going to try my best to not touch you. Okay?” I ask cautiously but she offers no reaction. I’m not even sure she can hear me anymore.
Painstakingly slow, I lift my hand until it touches the fabric of her shoulder. She jerks away from me and I freeze.
“It’s okay, baby. You are safe now. No one is going to hurt you. We need to clean you.” I tell her softly as I put my hand back up. She doesn’t move as much this time and I take that as permission to continue.
I continue my motions until the fabric is removed from both shoulders and slid down to her hips. I move to her front and carefully slide the material over her body until she sits bare in front of me. I reach for my shirt but halt, considering her reaction to being in the presence of a naked man. Deciding it's best to ask, I do my best to catch her attention.
“Everly, I need to remove my clothes. Is that okay?” Still no reaction so I gently remove my shirt and discard it onto the forming pile of clothes in the corner of the shower.
I move on to remove my pants, still assessing her reactions. Once they are off, my boxers follow, and I move back to place myself behind her. I collect some shampoo in my hands and carefully begin washing her hair. She slightly stirs but relaxes a bit as she settles into the feeling. After her hair is shampooed and rinsed, I use conditioner in an attempt to work out some of the mats. They come out after a bit of work with my fingers. Grabbing a loofa nearby, I apply body wash and foam it up before squeezing it over her body. Feeling a bit adventurous, I touch the loofa to her back and she tenses. Pausing briefly, I give her time to adjust. She relaxes enough that I continue to swipe it over her shoulder. As the soap washes away the grime, it gives way to proof of her trauma. Old and new bruises litter her skin. Some in the shape of hands and others round. A few are small like the toe of a shoe; While others are larger like a fist. I shudder at the images that fog my mind. Once satisfied with cleaning, I sit back a bit letting the water pour over me.
Turning around to allow her a bit of privacy, I soak in the stream of water. I nearly jump when a set of fingers splay into my hair. I am frozen as they glide through my locks. Her hands move over my hair and down my neck. Sliding over my shoulders, they move south until they begin tracing the tattoos on my back. Like crossing paths with a feral animal, I don't dare to move in fear of scaring her off. It’s not until she wraps her arms around me and rests her head between my shoulder blades, that I turn my head enough to look at her. She must sense me before she slowly picks up her head until our eyes lock. It’s the first time we have made eye contact since that first day in captivity.
“Hello, Little Siren.” I greet as it feels like I’m actually seeing her. Her eyes falter for a minute before steadying.
“Hi.” That beautiful, angelic voice says back. My heart hammers in my chest at the sound. It’s like I’m back in those bushes, hearing her laugh for the first time again. She’s perfect. I offer a small smile. As badly as I want to kiss away all of her pain, I know it's not the right time.
I reach up to touch her face and she shies away. I want to make it all better for her. To erase the last two months and start over. I wasn’t ready or capable of being there for her one hundred percent, but I am now. I need her like she needs me.
“Talk to me, please.” I beg. My heart is still pounding like a raging drum. Desperation is apparent in my tone. Only this woman could make my beast fall to its knees.
“I-I can’t. I don't have words, or feelings, or a sense of self.” She looks empty and disappointed as she speaks.
“I can help you if you will let me. I can sit quietly and just be by your side. If you need me to go, it’ll destroy me, but I will.” Truth be told I would do anything, be anything, and say anything for her. My life is hers to command. She used to think that I had all the power but really, it was always her. She is my higher power.
“I need peace. I need for them to be erased from existence.” I can nearly hear her heartbeat. The pain is clear in her words.
“If you ask me to burn your enemies, I’ll turn the entire world to ash and never let a flame touch you.” My love for her is limitless, like a category ten storm, I would crumble the earth if she told me to.
“Burn them all.” She looks at me with rage in her eyes. She is strong, even if she doesn’t know it. The flames she beckons are from within her, not dispersed by my hands.
“Done.” I promise. I don't make idle threats. The sky will be lit by the embers of her enemies and everyone will know her name. They will pray to her like the goddess she is, begging for their lives. This I can say for certain.
“Will you stay with me tonight?” She asks in a nervous tone.
”Only if you will have me.” Silently begging that she doesn’t change her mind. She nods her head in agreement. I stand on weak legs and offer my hand to her. She hesitantly reaches up and slinks her trembling fingers into mine. Baby steps make progress right?
Guiding her out of the shower, I carefully wrap her small frame in a towel before finding my own. Together, we leave the bathroom and pad over to the closet. I’m grateful to have left some clothing behind, otherwise I’d have to ask one of the guys knowing even just one of their shirts would look like a crop top on me. Sparing any embarrassment, I turn my back to her as I dry my hair. Once satisfied, I subtly turn around to make sure she is okay. When I do, I’m met with that rare set of eyes. One blue like a warm summer day and the other green like an emerald look back into mine. Was she checking me out? I internally laugh.
“Baby, everything you see is yours to use however you need.” I softly chuckle. I would give her my life force if she didn’t already possess it.
Her mouth snaps closed and she hastily turns back around to finish dressing. Smiling to myself, I slip on a pair of sweatpantsand walk out. Moments later, she follows my path until we are climbing into bed. Getting under the fur blanket, she keeps her distance. I don't want to push my luck so I stay up, even if my being craves her like breathing. I stay awake until her breathing slows signaling that she’s relaxed or asleep. Closing my eyes, I find peace knowing she’s next to me safe.
Hours must pass when I am awoken by screaming. Flying up, I look around to find her still in a lying position but frantically moving her limbs. Careful to not make matters worse, I rest my hand on her arm and say her name a few times. Her eyes fly open and find mine, just as her body relaxes. Telling her it's okay, tears pool at her lashes.
“Please let me hold you, baby.” I beg.
