“We can find a way,” Theo said. “You don’t deserve to be with someone who treats you like that.”
“But I’ve been with Derek for six years.”
She hardly saw what anyone else did, that she was an incredible woman capable of taking on whatever the realm threw at her. She’d stood against his father and Bennet and didn’t cower.
He wiped his tears from his cheeks and said, “Amaris, you drive me absolutely insane at times, but you’re strong, capable, and stubborn.” He pulled himself from the bed, ignoring the searing pain in his back as he sat beside her. “Please see what I do, that you’re fierce and powerful. You do what’s right, regardless of what others think. You jump first to save someone. Don’t think for a second that you belong in a life where you’re trapped in your own home feeling worthless. You deserve better.”
Her puffy eyes welled with tears again. She leaned her head against his arm and sobbed. She trembled against him, but he didn’t dare move.
“It’ll be alright,” he whispered. “I’ll make sure of it.” Gods be damned if each breath she took didn’t send more pain down his back, but her single touch against his shoulder was like shooting stars along his skin. He’d find a way. For her sake, he’d find a way for her to be free.
Chapter 29
Theo
“You’re a blunderingfool.” A stern voice cut through the grogginess of the cudweed.
Theo rolled his head, his vision coming into focus as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
“What do you want?” he groaned.
Luther sat beside him wearing an all-black ensemble and a short red vest. He plucked a stray hair from the turquoise chair. Theo still hadn’t a clue how the chairs had gotten up here. It would’ve been a struggle for Amaris to carry them up the steps.
“I’ve come to make sure you don’t do anything rash,” Luther muttered, eyeing the tower with his dark eyes and a grimace. He sat on the edge of the chair, his legs spread as he leaned forward. “You nearly destroyed your life.”
“I did what I thought was right,” Theo snapped, the extra emphasis in his tone shifting the muscles of his back. The pain had significantly improved, but he had yet to attempt to move beyond the tower.
“If it wasn’t for Esaias acting a buffoon, Father likely wouldn’t have stepped in.”
“And where were you?” Theo asked.
“You asked for Miss Carter’s punishment. You brought this burden upon yourself.” Luther played with the sapphire ring upon his hand. It’d been passed down throughout their family, given to the next heir of Luana since the declaration of the province.
“She didn’t deserve that, to be made a mockery and brutally flogged, or have you forgotten she’s the mystique. She’s the only person for one hundred miles with her abilities.”
Luther extended his hand, picking at a speck of dirt under his nail. “And soon she will be the most capable person in Elric.”
Theo’s breath halted. “Luther, Amaris didn’t kill Freville. It’s a mistake to send her there.”
“Perhaps she should’ve considered that before she attempted to sneak away in the night.”
“We’ve already paid for that.” Theo’s back would always bear the scars from the actions of that night, but he would gladly wear them. He’d driven her to escape.
“It would seem Father contemplated that. It took him some convincing on Bennet’s part, but her fate is decided. Lord Freville’s family is calling for blood, and they’ll have it.”
“He can’t be serious. She ran to protect herself.”
Luther ceased his grooming and inclined a thin brow. There was no denying the resemblance between him and their father. The dominant traits of the Fastrada line ran deep within his veins, and the pretentiousness he flaunted could only have been birthed by their father.
“Do tell, brother.” He grinned. “Where was dear Miss Carter running from?”
After she’d shared about her wretched betrothed, Theo couldn’t pry further. That was all he’d wanted to hear, not that he’d wished for her to endure it, but for her to be honest. He’d seen the signs, but he needed to hear the truth for himself. Maybe their father would understand and be merciful.
“She was running from her abusive betrothed.”
“Abusive?”
“He hits her.”
