Page 53 of Isabela

“Yeah,” I whisper. “Why did she call you this morning?”

“Her uncle was going to sell her to Mayor Markship to help pay his debts,” he says against the shell of my ear.

Wrapping his arms around me, he lets me lean against him as I process the horror of those words. “The mayor has very specific sexual preferences, and wanted a virgin, so he could break her in the way he wanted. Isa has a recording of everything her uncle and the mayor said after she was beaten unconscious for defying Elijah. She doesn’t want me to hear it because she says it’s depraved. The mayor was planning to rape and break her for two weeks before returning her to her uncle to give her to someone else.”

“Two…” My hands shake as I curl my fingers around Gael’s forearms. Her words last night before she left make more sense now. “How has she survived alone all of this time?”

“I don’t even know. She’s determined, and I think she was going to use last night’s memories to help her. Except, Isa called me instead, because it really hit her how bad it was going to get,” Gael rumbles. “She is so used to being alone, she thinks she’s a burden when she needs the help.”

“I met the mayor once or twice, I think. I remember thinking he was too shiny. He’s too perfect in a way, hiding behind his smile to mask the fact that he’s rotten inside,” I say. My skin is covered in goosebumps and Gael feels like he’s vibrating with energy.

“Come watch me do dishes, and I’ll tell you everything. Let’s give Isa some space. She’s had a fucked up few months,” he says.

Following him, I have a sinking feeling that’s an understatement.

The tears flow when he tells me everything, and he has to hug me tightly.

“I don’t think I’m going to be able to keep myself from going into her room,” I sob. “Please tell me you’re going to make it hurt when the bastard dies. Or she can. I just… she’s such a sweet girl, I can’t believe she still has this innocence about her.”

“There’s a lot of snark and cynicism too,” Gael says. “Wipe your tears and go lay with her. I don’t know if she’s sleeping or not.”

Nodding, I wash my face in the bathroom, and then blow my nose after drying my skin. My hands shake as I walk to the guest bedroom. It’s done in lilac and cream colors, and I really hope she likes it.

Opening the door slowly, I see Isa’s body in the bed. She’s laying in a tight fetal position, and it’s been at least an hour since I gave her space. Walking slowly, I crawl up onto the bed, waiting for her to turn.

I’m wearing what I usually wear when I’m writing for the day: a cropped bralette and leggings. It’s also the perfect clothing for a nap. Slipping under the blankets, I snuggle against her, freezing as I hear her whimper.

“Isa?” I ask softly. Sitting up, I look over her body at her face, and realize she’s asleep. Isabela has tears slowly flowing down her cheeks, making me frown.

“Please don’t,” she mutters, turning onto her back.

Dammit. A nightmare. “Isa, you’re okay, honey. Come back. It’s a dream,” I say softly. Rubbing her cheek gently, I gasp when she screams and slaps my hand. “Gael!”

I hear my husband running as I keep trying to talk to her, but she’s locked away in her mind.

“What’s wrong?” he asks, stopping in the middle of the room. “I was going to work out, so I had farther to come.”

It sounds about right. Poor man has been keeping it together well, but this energy needs to go somewhere.

“She won’t wake up,” I tell him. Isa moans softly as she talks to herself, and Gael takes off his shoes, walking around the bed to squeeze her hands.

“Isabela, you’re safe. Wake up for me,” he demands. She struggles against him, making him frown. “I wonder how often she has these. She’s so damn deep into this dream.”

Gael talks to her, but she thrashes harder, making me tap his shoulder as I shake my head. His voice may be making it worse as a male.

“Isabela, wake up and come snuggle with me. No one will hurt you, and you’ll be safe. Come on, baby girl, you’re kind of scaring the shit out of us,” I say with a small, shaky laugh, I don’t mean.

I’m careful not to touch her outside of ghosting my fingers up her arm.

“Aria?” Isabela asks sleepily, making me sigh in relief.

“Yeah, baby. Welcome back,” I say softly.

She blinks as she wakes up, looking surprised to see Gael leaning over her.

“You had a pretty awful dream,” he says gently. “I think my voice made it worse.”

“You make everything better,” she says sleepily. Gael’s eyes soften as she rolls over into my arms. “Thank you for waking me up. They’re not usually so bad, or maybe I don’t notice it.”

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