Nibo took her hand and pulled her forward, then grabbed Agrios by his hauberk. “Remember, don’t look back.”
They headed out.
It wasn’t until they were halfway out that Valynda began to understand all the warnings. All around them were the voices of their past. Their loved ones, calling out for them to join them. Insulting them.
Worse, asking for forgiveness.
Pain ripped her apart as she heard her mother’s voice for the first time since her death.
“Valynda! I love you. Where are you, my daughter?”
She choked as tears filled her eyes. She wanted to go to her mother in ways she couldn’t even begin to explain. But she knew better. As much as she loved her mother, had always wanted her mother to love and approve of her—to praise her—they’d never had that kind of relationship.
Her mother had forever disappointed her. And that burned rawest in the deepest part of her soul. She’d never once put Valynda first, and that had hurt most of all. Valynda had spent her entire life craving that maternal instinct. Wanting, praying that her mother would find some shred of humanity that caused her to reach out and make sure that she was safe against the world.
It’d never come.
Harden yourself.
But it was so difficult. Because deep inside, she was still that little girl who craved her mother’s love and approval. Who wanted to see a smile on her mother’s face as she wrapped her arms around her and told her how much she meant to her.
“Valynda! Come to me, child!”
It’s not real.
Sadly, it could never be real, and had never been. It was only a sick fantasy that she’d tortured herself with when she was young. An image she’d seen from others.
It’s not for the likes of you.
Maybe no one had ever really had it.
That was what made her cling all the more to Nibo. He’d been there when no one else had. He had held her when she cried. When her parents had ignored her, he had been there to wipe the tears away. When she needed something, he didn’t ask why. He merely gave. Like now.
He was here to ensure that she would maintain her body. No matter what, and he asked nothing in return.
She would never forget that. When everyone else had abandoned her, even her own parents, he had stood by her and protected her.
Yet you sold him out to the Malachai.
Guilt stabbed her heart. How could she have lost sight of what she’d had with him? Of all he’d done for her?
Like this? He hadn’t hesitated to walk into hell to help her. How few people would do such a thing?
I’ve been such a fool.
He was her strength. The better part of her world.And I will never forget it again.
Never again would she let anyone in her head to turn her thoughts from him or make her doubt his motives or intentions. Not when his actions spoke so loudly.
People were poison. They sought to destroy what they were jealous of. What they wanted to possess, especially when they didn’t have it. It was what had led her to this.
What had made her girlfriends try to come between her and Nibo.
He doesn’t love you, Valynda. How could he? He doesn’t treat you right.
Their lies had been many as they sought to divide her heart from his.
But she was stronger than that. Just as she knew better than to listen to the voices of the damned trying to lull her to stay in hell with them.
