I sigh looking around, and he continues laughing under his breath when he hears my hesitation. This is going to be a long, long day.
“Rex… where is he? Is that how you knew?” I ask while stalling.
“It is. He said he saw Ty owning your mind, and he knew Hale was the only one who could free you from his hold. He’s fine. I told their standing captain to take them to Hershian. The captain residing there would do anything to keep them safe. He was handpicked by Nicholas to take over when he…”
“He knew he was going to die?” I choke out.
Clay’s eyes hit the ground when he realizes what he said.
“I’m sorry, Araya. He knew these men would eventually get too close to you or Angelica. He was prepared to give up his own life to ensure your safety. There’s something I’ve been holding back from you, but I think you should read it. I believe your ready now, and I think it will give you the closure you’ve been missing.”
He pulls out a bloodstained letter, and I use my gift to slip it free from his hand and carry it to mine. The tears start falling before I even read the first line because this is my father’s last words.
Araya, my girl, my perfect piece of beauty,
No one will ever know the love I held for you from beginning to end, and I’m so sorry this was the only way to show you. I can only imagine the emotions you’re experiencing if your reading this because you never got the chance to know me, and if your eyes have found this, then you never will, at least not in the way I think we both would have liked. That’s okay though. I will die knowing my daughter grew into an incredible woman who has restructured life for all hybrids by simply existing, striking hope into the hopeless heart.
I pray your wedding is one of your dreams, and I wish nothing but eternal bliss for you. I leave knowing you are in splendid hands with everyone you trust in your life. You’re amazing, thoughtful, and more compassionate than any person I’ve ever had the chance to know with possibly the exception of your sister. I have no right to ask you for anything, but I pray you take care of her, guide her, and shape her to be the woman you had to become on your own.
I can’t take any credit for the incredible creature you are, but I can tell you the love you lacked was never absent. I held it, I cherished you from afar, and I will die knowing I should have done so much more. My naivety led me to believe you would be better off without me. My truth will leave my soul tortured for all eternity. I know you’ll end this war.
I know my daughter is strong because of what you endured. I know you’re smarter, stronger, and I know no one can hurt you worse than you’ve already been hurt. You’ll survive this. Though it gives me no reprieve, I know your pain-filled life has been preparing you for this in every way; including mentally and physically. If nothing else, I pray your tortured life has been the building blocks to surviving this. It’s the only thing that gets me through from day to day, and I thank both Brazen and Hale for offering that insight to me.
I love you. That’s what I want you to know more than anything. One day, when you find the place in your heart to forgive me, I hope you accept that from me, though I don’t expect it in return. Just know, you are loved by your father, and I will go to my grave loving you. Thank you for rising above your harsh and cruelly unjustified life to become such a beautiful woman from the inside out.
Your father,
Nicholas
The tears swell in my eyes, and I nod toward Clay when the words of appreciation escape me. He really did care, and he’s right about the fact my life led me to be strong enough to endure today. My friends I met, my loves I’ve met, and the lives changed because of me all came from the tormented road I had to travel.
I can’t hate him for something he never intended to do. I can’t hate him for saving my life. I can’t hate him for sending me down a path no other could have traveled.
I love you too, father… wherever you are.
