Staring at our hands, I welcomed the burn in the center of my chest only because that sensation was a dose of reality. Caden wasn’t here because he felt for me what I did for him. He wasn’t promising to be there for me while I dealt with the consequences of…of what Aric had done. We weren’t partners in the way that made people stick together through sickness and health and all that jazz. What I felt for him wasn’t returned, at least not to the same degree. That much was obvious since he was engaged to someone else. He was here because he felt guilt, because he felt pity.
And he felt responsible for me.
It took nothing to see his expression when I freaked out over the glass of water. I squirmed a little, embarrassed.
Out of all the things I was having trouble remembering, I hadn’t forgotten how he had looked at me before. Even when he was angry with me or we were arguing, he stared at me like he could barely restrain himself from leaping on me and taking me to the ground—or against a wall. I shivered.
Now, he looked at me with a mixture of pity and horror, guilt and regret, and seeing that sat like a lead ball in the pit of my stomach.
And that was the worst part about everything that had become of us. I’d gone from respected and desired, even if reluctantly, to someone Caden pitied. I didn’t need time to recover to see that clearly.
I already saw it.
Uncomfortable in my own skin, I pulled at my hand, and he let go. I clenched the blanket. “I really am tired. I think I need some sleep.”
Caden was quiet for several moments. “I’ll be back with something to eat in a few hours after the healer sees you.”
“You don’t have to. “
“I know.” He placed his hand over mine, gently prying my fingers loose. “I want to.”
My gaze shot to his. “More like you need to.”
“That, too.”
“I’m sure someone else can bring me something. You have to be busy, and Tatiana—”
“We will talk about that later,” Caden interrupted. “I’ll be back.” Lifting my hand, he kissed the top of it, surprising me once more. “Get some rest.”
Caden was standing and already at the door before I had the chance to process what he’d done. He stopped and looked over his shoulder at me. “I was wrong about a lot of things, Brighton. Things I don’t expect you to ever forgive me for, but things we will discuss when you’re better. When you’re ready.”
I really had no idea what Caden thought we needed to talk about. What kind of paper he and his soon-to-be Queen were going to use for their wedding announcements?
Did fae even send invites?
I had no idea, but about five minutes after Caden had left, there was a knock on the door, and Ivy poked her head in.
“Hey,” she said, stepping inside. “It’s Ivy—”
“I know who you are.” My cheeks flushed as I toyed with the blanket.
“Sorry.” She cringed.
“It’s okay.”
Her face smoothed out. “We ran into Caden, and he said you were awake. You up for a quick visit with me and the doc? She wants to check you over.”
I nodded. “Sure.”
Ivy smiled as she moved aside, and the tall female fae entered. My first thought was that she looked like a mortal doctor, white lab coat and all, and even though the four-leaf clover had been taken from me, I could still see the blond female for what she was. Silvery skin and ears slightly pointed. She walked to the bed with the innate grace of all the fae.
“I don’t think I got a chance to introduce myself. I’m Luce.”
“Hi,” I murmured. “I’m Brighton.”
The fae’s pale eyes lightened. “How are you feeling?”
“Okay.”
