“Or, more specifically, it wasmyfault.”
“I don’t understand.”
I reached up and laid a palm on his cheek. “Before The Burning started… the night when we slept together, I may or may not have put a little rune-mark on you. A small spell to protect you.”
Hector’s eyes widened a fraction. “You didwhat?”
“A mark of protection. A way of keeping you safe. It was my decision, so before you go running your mouth and berating me, I did it because I wanted to.”
“Did.What.”
I used my spare hand and lifted my fingers to the flesh over his heart. I began tracing the marks that I could still see, faint lines where my spell clung to his flesh. Hector looked down, but I knew from his lack of reaction that he couldn’t see the mark I’d cast upon him.
“Everything that happened to you, any pain, any wounds, any consequences, I took them upon myself.” I refused to take my eyes off him. “And I will not apologise for it either, so don’t even demand that of me.”
Where I expected anger from Hector, all I received was sadness.
Tears flowed freely, spilling down his face, melding with the lake’s water that clung to his skin like jewels. “You put yourself in harm’s way for me?”
I smiled, utterly and completely proud of myself. “And I’d do it again, and again… if given the choice.”
Hector eyes glazed over, his mind going elsewhere. No doubt he was running through the events of the last trial, piecing everything together. When he was ready, when his mind was sure he’d figured it all out, only then did he speak.
“The wound on your head. That was when I hit my head against a gravestone. It was so hard I saw stars, but there was no mark on my skull. No sign that anything had happened.”
I shivered at the thought of him nearly knocking himself unconscious. “I wasn’t there, but if that is what happened, I believe you.”
“And these.” Hector’s hand traced the countless marks across my face, and down my torso. “These are from when I fought against the Hunters who attacked me and Kai. I knew they’d hit me a few times, but again, it was like they hadn’t. No marks, no pain.”
Fresh, boiling hot anger flooded me. It was so sudden and potent I was surprised the lake’s water didn’t start to bubble. “They hurt you?”
Hector scoffed. “And they died because of it, so calm down.”
I was glad to hear that anyone who attempted to hurt Hector had met the fate they deserved. But selfishly, I wished it was me who’d shown them to their end.
“At the end of the trial,” Hector continued, “I used old magic to protect you from Bahmet’s undead army. I should’ve been the one to burn for breaking the rules—or following the rules—I don’t know… that bit’s still murky. Butyouburned instead. You took on the consequence and…”
“And passed the trial.” I drew him closer. “Don’t regret anything. We all made it through.”
“I almost didn’t.” Hector blanched. “There wasn’t a pyre left for me. I tried to use my magic, but Bahmet wouldn’t burn me. I… I…”
“I’m sorry.” I bowed my head.
Hector pressed a wet finger beneath my chin, and forced my face back up until our gazes met. “I cheated the trials, Arwyn. Bahmet knows. I threw myself into the pyre which burned with the Hunter. If I didn’t, I would’ve been stuck there. I would’ve failed.”
I figured it out then. A snap of realisation that turned my previous anger into guilt. Overwhelming, all-consuming guilt.
My attempt to protect Hector had almost made me lose him.
“Fuck,” I said. “I didn’t think?—”
“No, you didn’t.” Hector was slowly distancing himself. I sensed it happening, and found myself helpless to shop it. “But regardless, I understand you were only trying to protect me so I can’t hold it against you. Is your rune-mark still on me?”
I nodded, looking back down to the flesh over his heart.
“Remove it,” Hector commanded. “I won’t tell you off for making that decision, because if I’d thought about it before, I would’ve done the same. But it is too dangerous to leave be. No doubt, Bahmet knows about it now too. He will use the knowledge against us, and affect our chances in the last two trials. You’ve got to lift the spell.”
I’d known this was coming. Truthfully, I would’ve scrubbed the rune-mark from Hector’s chest even if he’d not asked it of me. “All I have ever wanted was to keep you safe.”
