Chapter
Forty-Six
After Merrick bid her good night, she stared up into the ceiling, the pain from her broken ribs and the memories she rarely spoke of keeping her awake.
She hadn’t meant to tell him, but the guilt he carried was mirrored inside her, and she didn’t wish that feeling upon anyone.
In Vastala it had taken her months to even dare interact with other children on the streets, as she’d been terrified she might hurt someone else.
Only by refusing to leave her alone had Kalia managed to break through the walls she’d put up.
As Lessia wrapped her arms around her broken body, another dry sob escaped her.
She missed Ardow, Amalise, Kalia, and the rest more than ever.
Ardow and Amalise were the only ones—outside Merrick now—who knew what she’d done, and they’d done everything in their power to convince her she wasn’t at fault.
Even though she was.
But perhaps if she could continue to save other children, save Ellow, she could redeem a small part of herself.
Do something good to make up for the horrible things she’d done.
Her door flew open, and Lessia straightened, clenching the blanket to hold back a cry at the pain in her ribs.
She wasn’t sure who she’d expected, but Ardow peeking his tan face through the opening wasn’t it. A small smile spread across her face, and she waved him in. “What are you doing here?”
Ardow grinned at her as he strode through the room, wearing a beautifully intricate green tunic and breeches in the same shade. “I heard you got yourself injured again, and I thought you might want some more fun company than the stiff people we encountered here last time.”
Reaching out her uninjured hand toward him, she rolled her eyes. “I had no part in getting myself injured, thank you very much. How did you hear about it, anyway? Does castle gossip truly spread that fast?”
Ardow sat down on the bed, taking her hand in his and squeezing.
“You know I have my sources.” He winked, but his smile fell when he searched her face and then shifted his gaze to her bandages. “You’re more hurt than I was informed.”
Nostrils flaring, he pulled at the blankets, revealing her bandaged chest.
“Those bastards,” he hissed. “This isn’t right, Lessia. This shouldn’t be allowed. This is everything that is wrong with our world.”
She made herself smile at him again, trying to keep the light atmosphere a little bit longer. “You know as well as I do that I’ll be healed in a few days. Perhaps the only perk of ourFae blood. So, who is this mystery informant? The secret lover you’ve yet to tell us about?”
Ardow’s face remained hardened with rage, but when she eyed him pleadingly, he let out a choked laugh.
She loved him for it.
Even if it didn’t reach his eyes.
“Perhaps, perhaps not.”
Sticking out her bottom lip, she pulled at his hand. “Come on, Ard. I probably must lie in bed for a few days. Give me something fun to think about.”
Ardow moved closer, wrapping his arm gently around her shoulders. “I can’t yet, Lessia. But he…”
His eyes widened, and Lessia giggled when his cheeks heated.
Groaning, Ardow leaned his head back on the wall.
She poked him in a burning cheek. “All right, you don’t have to tell me yet, but Amalise and I will want to meet him at some point, especially if he makes you blush like this.”
