Savine kneeled down beside her, their foreheads touching as he wrapped his arms around her. Savine feared where this was going. He knew Weston, Rue, and Susan came with her when they were taken, but he had seen none of them since he arrived in Nephel. Rylo mentioned how “well” she did during an execution. His heart raced in anticipation of what she was about to say.
Tears stained Avery’s cheeks. “I killed him. I killed Weston just to save myself and my friends. He begged me to choose him, and I did. I did it.”
The words choked out of her. The anguish in her voice was enough for Savine to want to rip Rylo apart for causing her so much pain. He drew her into his arms, close enough that her heartbroken and weary head nestled into his neck. The wet tears continued to fall down his leather armor.
“Avery, what you did saved not only your life, but Rue’s and Susan’s, too. Weston was a good man. He would have wanted to honor you by dying to protect you.”
Avery’s face turned to anguish. “But he didn’t protect me. I killed him for nothing. I fed right into Rylo’s sick game, and I plunged a knife into an innocent man’s heart.” Avery’s words diminished into sobs as Savine stroked her hair.
Savine was beyond words. The need to protect Avery was going to make him do something he regretted. If he spoke now, he’d scare Avery from the unfettered rage that danced in him.
Eventually, she spoke again. “I feel like part of myself died with Weston. Like a part of me that was a good person is dead now. His blood spilled all over my hands. I can still feel it there. No matter how many times I wash my hands, I can’t get it off. And now I’m going to have to kill Jasper if I want to survive. But I don’t know if I have it in me. What will this death going to cost my humanity? Even though he is a bad man.”
Avery didn’t need his vengeance or his rage now. She needed comfort and compassion. These two things were… challenging for him. He’d spent his whole life being denied these things. He breathed in Avery’s sweet scent. Savine stroked her head and the loosely braided golden strands.
Finally, he said, “A wicked man forced you into a situation that you should have never been in. You are not that action. That action does not define who you are. Just like tomorrow won’t either. I promise you, after tomorrow, your hands will only be used for healing. I will never let someone hurt you like this again.”
Avery’s body still shook against his. “I just don’t know if I can do it,” she mumbled into his tear-stained chest.
“Abyss, damn me, Avery. I will die for you if it means keeping you from feeling this pain again.” Savine lifted her up from the ground and carried her back to their room.
Tomorrow, he’d take the killing blow for Avery. It was worth forfeiting his life to keep his soulmate from forfeiting pieces of her soul.
“No, Savine!” Avery gasped. Her big human eyes were puffy from crying as she looked up at him. “I won’t live in Aeritis without you. I would rather kill him than lose you. Jasper has hurt you all your life. I will stop him from ever doing it again. I’m just… I feel scared. That’s all.”
The guilt that scraped through Savine made him want to tear this Abyss damned world to shreds for hurting her. Rylo had tied both their hands on what would have to be done tomorrow.
“I won’t let you face this alone, Avery. We’re going to get through tomorrow,” Savine said.
Savine scooped Avery into his arms. Her bone weary body sunk into his without protest. They both grew quiet as he carried her down the spiraling staircases of Nephel.
Chapter fifty-five
Avery
Avery tried to stay as still as possible. Maybe if she didn’t move, she could pretend like this day wasn’t already here. Savine’s warm breath caressed against her neck. His solid form next to her was something that she’d relished in the last two nights. Just these last two nights of bliss as he touched her, caressed her, and held her close. Souls laid bare to each other. Souls yearning to the point of agony to be bound as one. It wasn’t enough. Not even a lifetime with Savine would be enough.
But it could be cut so short after tonight. She wouldn’t be able to defeat Savine’s father. Maybe if she’d had a year of training or at least the winter like she’d planned. Maybe if they were not in this spider’s web of deceit by Rylo. But not like this. Not with only two days to prepare herself. Not after the guilt from Weston’s death hung over her.
Her fear, always rattling the edges of her mind, pulsed through her thoughts. She wasn’t ready to die. She’d just started her life with Savine and needed more time with him. Avery turned her gaze to him sleeping quietly beside her. For him, she’d swallow her fear. How could she let it control her in what were possibly her last moments with him? No, this fear that had become such a part of her life in Aeritis had no bearing here. She wouldn’t let it consume her. Avery scooted deeper under thecovers and buried her face into the warmth of this man who’d given her a life worth fighting for.
Savine stirred next to her as someone pounded on the door. Again, a heavy banging on the door brought Avery out of her thoughts as the sound became unavoidable.
“Abyss, curse it all! I’m coming,” Savine growled as he climbed out of bed, groggy with sleep. He wore nothing but the bedsheet that he’d pulled off as he climbed out of the bed. Avery shivered when her bare skin was exposed to the surrounding air, but Savine turned back to her and gently tucked the remaining covers around her body. He placed a silk robe on the end of the bed, and she leaned over to wrap it around herself.
Edet entered carrying a tray with a pot of tea, eggs, and thick slices of bread. “You never cease to surprise me, girl. First time I saw you I ne’er smelled something so pungent. Now I see you in a compromising position with a prince, no less. O’ course all the towers been talkin’ about the prince returning. And your time locked with him, but I ne’er been one to believe gossip. Now I saw it with my own eyes.”
Her ruddy skin scraped Avery’s arm like sandpaper as Edet placed the tray of food on Avery’s lap. “Thank you for breakfast, Edet,” Avery replied. What else was she supposed to say to Edet’s speech? Savine stood on with the slightest smirk on his face. Those solid abs of his were on full display all the way down to the V where the sheet was held up.
“I brought you some too, Your Highness. It’s just outside. I thought it would be rude of me to assume you would be in here. But I’ll get your plate,” Edet said as she kept her eyes lowered to Savine’s gaze.
“That would be appreciated,” Savine replied. “Give me a moment before youreenter.”
“Of course, Your Highness,” Edet said as she bowed low, exiting the room.
Savine’s grin had Avery chuckling into her tea as he looked up at her.
“Our first time being caught in bed together. How do you like that?” he asked. Savine’s boyish grin made Avery’s heart tug. For so long, he’d been so serious. Seeing his playful side was something that Avery never wanted to miss out on.
