What rhymes with love?
Nevaeh
Inever would’ve taken that bullet for Hazel if I knew this would happen.
After Angel disappeared for his secret talk with Harvey, Hazel barged into my room and waited until I showered before taking me to my mate’s room. She even asked Grace to put my little boy to bed, who was happy to take over.
But fluffing my pillows? That’s where I draw the line. I’m not enjoying this generous version of Hazel. After drowning me in blankets up to my chin, she reluctantly leaves me alone—more like runs out when my eyes flash gold.Even my Divine thinks it’s weird.
Sharky has some serious issues with owing people. A couple of snacks and her reluctant smile would’ve sufficed, instead, the siren chose to steal my baby on a night I needed his help to stay sane.
His presence would’ve helped me keep the tsunami in my head bottled up until there weren’t so many eyes following my every move. Don’t get me wrong, as surprised as I am to be on the receiving end of Hazel’s rare affection; I don’t have it in me not to act like a ticking time bomb tonight.
The mere thought of accidentally falling asleep and seeing that dungeon again has my anxiety shooting to the roof. Staying in a safe place among people I trust made it easy to convincemyself that I was not haunted by my past anymore. But a single confrontation was enough to remind me that I’m not invincible.
My past might be behind me, but I still carry the parts they broke.
I had all but convinced myself that I wanted revenge on the coven and Visha for what they did to my little boy, to my best friend, to my papa, but now… now I think I want revenge for what they did tome.
Facing a small part of my past has triggered the part of my brain that doesn’t understand how to separate my memories from my present. My fears from my reality. The blood I lost from the blood I drew. But I can’t knock on that door tonight. Opening the smallest windows to my past could crumble my sanity—which I’m barely holding on to as it is.
The tremor in my hands worsens as the flashes start taking over my vision. I focus on breathing and shoving down the bile of nightmare crawling up my throat. You’ve been holding on perfectly fine the entire day, Nevaeh. Don’t let yourself slip now.
‘Think you can hide, little girl?’
I don’t have to hide! I’m not a weak little girl anymore.
My breathing picks up at her voice echoing in my head. Why can’t she leave me alone? It’s been two months, Nevaeh, why can’t you benormallike everyone else? Why do I still have to keep myself from spiraling every single night?
When Anxo knocks on my door before entering, I shove my hands under the covers, clutching the material tightly. Hide it, Nevaeh.
“You feel better, sweetheart?” His worry breaks through my panic, and I’m glad it did before Visha dragged me deeper into her tricks.
“I’m fine.” I clear my throat when my voice shakes. I’m not sure how to act put together when my insides are being clawed with terror.
“You look cold. Wait, let me grab you another blanket.” Angel moves to leave, but I quickly stop him.
“No! I mean… I’m good. No more blankets needed.” I nod my head urgently to prove my point but stop when Anxo looks at me strangely, noticing the changes in my behavior. Shove it down, Nevaeh!
“You don’t look so good, baby. Wait here, I’ll make you something warm and light so it doesn’t upset your stomach. How do you feel about soup?”
He can’t leave. I have to stop him, but my voice is stuck in my throat. An invisible hand made from the fear of being alone chokes me, paralyzing my muscles until I’m useless against my brain attacking me.
‘You’re all alone now, little girl. No one’s coming to help.’
Shut up. Shut up. Shut up!
“I know it’s not your usual time to eat, but humor me tonight, alright? I’ll be right back—” Anxo turns his back to me, ready to leave.
“No! You d-don’t have to… have to go… s-stay plea-please.” I’m struggling to take my next breath.
There’s no more hiding the fear in my voice or the way my throat is closing up. I don’t want him to see me like that, but I can’t help the shiver of panic running through me at the thought of being left alone. Alone with my thoughts andher.
Anxo rushes to my side immediately. “Nevaeh? What’s wrong, sweetheart? You’ve gone pale.”
His hand reaches to touch my face, but I flinch without meaning, and Angel staggers back. The more he steps back so I don’t panic, the more I hyperventilate. If this keeps up, my Divine will go into disarray, and I’ll seriously hurt everyone around me. There was a reason my chains remained untouched for a decade.
I can’t do that again. The blood, the hearts I ripped out… I’m not doing that again! Not for them to laugh at my face as I beg them to stop.
