“Hazel and I went back to the portal while you were sleeping. Someone had clearly tampered with it from inside the kingdom. I was on my way back to you when the council forced us into that stupid meeting. But once they started talking, it all made sense. They were the reason we kept getting ambushed and blindsided. They were the reason I almost lost you.”
I twist my rings like Nevaeh does when she’s nervous. If she forgives me today, I’ll happily let her twist my fingers until they snap.
“Something took over me after that. I couldn’t think. The people I trusted most were working against us, and I just…” I swallow, running a hand through my hair. “I kept thinking you were surrounded by people who wanted to hurt you. I was so scared of losing you, I couldn’t breathe.”
Her hand reaches out to touch my arm, but she pulls back at the last second, thinking better of it.
Fates, I’d give anything to hold her hand again.
“When the council suggested sending you away, I jumped at the chance. Harvey and Hazel only agreed because it was the fastest way to get you to a safe place. I know it was rash and cruel, but how could I ever forgive myself if I selfishly kept you by my side, in harm’s way, and something happened—”
My throat closes before I can say the rest. My parents and their vile schemes hang between us like a blade, ready to sever the only good thing I’ve ever had.
She’s going to end this. Once I tell her everything, she’ll ask me to leave and never show my face again.
“M-my parents… they did this. Everything. Nevaeh… they were helping Visha.Like they did nine years ago.”
Her sharp inhale cuts through me. When she looks away at the countertop, I brace myself to be yelled at and kicked out. I wouldn’t blame her if she held me accountable for their betrayal, for not seeing through their tricks sooner. I blame myself too.
I hold my breath until Nevaeh’s pinkie brushes mine before she takes my hand.
That tiny gesture steadies me, and I step behind her. I give her the chance to shove me away, but when she doesn’t, I slowly wrap my arms around her waist and pull her against me.
“They’re alive?”
The anger in her voice makes my chest seize, but her eyes soften when she looks at me over her shoulder, and I realize it’s not directed at me. It’s forthem. She’s not boxing me in the same category as them.
“Yes.”
“Okay.”That’s it?
When she leans back into me, my vision blurs with tears. I don’t dare move my arms from where they belong. “I’m so sorry for everything, baby. Sorry for thestupid things I said that day. It broke me just as much to hurt you like that,” I rasp.
I bury my face in her neck, pressing small kisses at the slope of her neck, soaking in the feeling of her in my arms once again.
Fates, I’ve missed her so much. Missed holding my sweetheart.
“You’re pissing me off, Anxo.” Her words snap me back, and I flinch at the heat in her tone.
But maybe it’s good that she’s angry. Better to get it out of her system now than hold it inside for days—or, Fates forbid, formonths.
“I don’t want your apology. I don’t want logic, or explanations, or a step-by-step guide on how you did it for me. Fates, you’re such an asshole. At least have the decency to say more hurtful shit, so I can keep my anger b-because… because I don’t want to forgive you. Not yet.”
I go still. My arms tighten, unwilling to let go. I’m not leaving her. Not today. Not ever.
“I’m good with my fury and heartbreak. So take your stupid apology and fuck right off,” Nevaeh seethes, and I hold her tighter when her voice breaks.
“I’m so sorry, baby. Please give me another chance. Just one more. If I screw up again, you have my full permission to chop me into pieces and dump my body in the ocean. Better yet, ruin my filing cabinet. Take a hammer to my office and wreck my alphabetized system. That would nearly kill me, but I’ll deserve it. Whatever punishment you choose, I’ll accept without a word. Just please… please come back home to me.”
Nevaeh snorts and slaps her forehead for ruining her passive front.
The sound warms me, but then her snickers turn into sniffles, and before I know it, she’s breaking down in my arms.
I can’t even soothe her. Hearing her sob makes my own throat close up, and soon, I’m crying with her. Her fingers clutch at my arms as I shake behind her, my tears sliding against her neck.
Fates, we’re a mess.
“I d-don’t want to let you back in only for you to abandon me again. I get it, okay? I get that you thought it was best to keep me safe, but you could’ve talked to me instead of kicking me out like that. That was a dick move.” My sweet girl hiccups, and her words stab me straight in my heart.
