Bran's gaze darkened, a scowl crossing his face. “Well enough to beat the shit of the prince."
I choked, spluttering against the water that lodged in my throat at the admission. “What?"
Nodding, a wince twisted his face, he cracked his knuckles. “As soon as you were healed and I said they needed to leave, he dragged Kai out of the tent. Gianni had to break them apart before the Captain did something he wouldn't have been able to take back. They're both cooling off now, Gianni's making sure they stay separated."
I sighed lightly, screwing the lid back onto the canteen as I pushed aside the blankets that covered me.
"Where are you going?"
"To fix this."
Exiting the tent, I stumbled, back straining, as Bran followed.
"Sy just let everyone cool off for the night, we can all speak tomorrow."
I spotted Kairen first, slouched before the fire Gianni cooked at, his dark waves shrouding his face from my gaze. Never had I seen the composed prince look so utterly defeated.
"Soli’s wrath,” Bran cursed, but he didn't move to follow me further, knowing there was no sense he could talk into me.
Gianni glanced up as I approached, eyes wary as I nodded my head. Slowly he stood and wiped the sand from his pants as I moved to stand before my friend.
Because that's what he was, wasn't he? My friend.
"Kai."
His head shot up, his golden eyes rimmed red and drooping with exhaustion, yet it was the bruises and cuts that marred his face that had a gasp escaping my lips.
Goddess, had he defended himself from Roan’s onslaught at all?
Kneeling before him, I hesitantly brushed the hair from his face. “You should let Rena heal these, we need our pretty aristocrat."
My smile was weak, voice wavering with sadness despite my teasing. He didn't smile back.
"I deserve it."
I shook my head. “It wasn't your fault, Kai."
"Iburnedyou," His head dropped once more, his fingers digging into his hair. “Goddess, yourscreamsin that tent Syra, those will haunt me forever."
Lifting his head, I cradled it between my hands, forcing him to look into my eyes. “Yousavedus." I pressed on as he tried to pull back, holding him tighter. "That thing would have swallowed us whole if you hadn't been there, Kairen. You didn't mean to hurt me. I forgive you,okay? So it's time to forgive yourself now. Let Rena heal your face, do not let your guilt consume you when you did nothing wrong."
His eyes searched my face, the tears beginning anew as he laid his head upon my shoulder, his body shaking with his sorrow. I hummed lightly, running my hand through his thick waves over and over again until he grew still.
I wasn't sure how long we stayed there like that, but eventually Rena joined, her hand touching my shoulder lightly. I moved back as she took my place, her hands radiant with golden light as she gently cupped her cousin's face.
Next would be a conversation that had anxiety roiling through me.
I found him over the crest of a dune not too far from where the camp was set, laid out atop the sand. His eyes were closed, his body tense as I approached. As I drew closer I could see where his knuckles were torn, blood mixing with the sand.
A near empty bottle of liquor laid beside him, knocked over and dripping what remained.
With a sigh, I sat beside him, my head resting upon my knees as I regarded the man who always seemed to both irritate and ignite something within me. I admired the way the moonlight danced over his skin, as if he were made of it. He was like a masterpiece crafted from sea and moon, like gentle ocean waves lapping against the shore as the light reflected upon their ripples.
He was peace, calm, serenity.
And Goddess was it nice to bask within his presence, even if it was merely for a moment in time. No matter the frustration that welled within me at his actions tonight. Never before would I have dreamed of Roan Delmar beating a man he considered a brother—especially not forme.
The night air was cool, the desert sand rough and itchy against my palms. The stars twinkled far above, a billion little flames smiling down at us, despite the grief that hung like a dark cloud.
