Page 34 of Of Night and Blood: Special Edition

“It was marvelous,” he rasped, looking back at me in a way that made me feel bare.

I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms and bunching my good fist to keep the inappropriate feelings at bay. Ranbir looked over to me again with wide eyes.

“It was his fault. Besides, he could use a good punch to knock him back down to reality.” I scoffed. “Plus, he broke my hand with his stupid face!” Shooting a glare at Bellamy, I reached out my crooked and bruised hand.

Ranbir gasped and stepped towards me. He cradled my hand, running soft touches over it. At first, I was confused, but then I felt the burn of healing. I hissed in pain when I felt his hand tighten and the power rebreak then heal my bones. When Ranbir released me, my hand was back to its former state.

“Thank you so much. My name is Asher, Asher Daniox. I appreciate your help,” I said with a soft smile. At least someone in this horrid place was not a heathen. The Healer smiled back, warm and genuine.

“I am Ranbir Bhesaj, and it was my pleasure. You next?” Ranbir asked, facing Bellamy, who in turn nodded. I watched as Bellamy’s nose was restored to its former glory, smeared blood the only remaining sign of my masterwork.

A shame truly, the shattered nose would have done wonders for his overinflated ego.

“Was there anything else you needed?” the Healer inquired with clasped hands and that same gentle smile. His accent was the sharp lilt of home, just as all the fae here still possessed. It made me wonder once again why they were here at all.

“No Ranbir, that is all. I hope you have a splendid day, and thank you for your assistance.” Bellamy’s words were soft, his tone almost familial. It was the same way he spoke to Lian and Pino, both fae as well. I might not have noticed, but I was trying to remain diligent, to glean any information I could later use to my advantage.

“Thank you,” Ranbir said.

He looked between us once more, then settled his eyes on me, mouth open as if there was something on the tip of his tongue. Bellamy must have noticed the way that Ranbir hesitated, the eye contact we maintained, because he cleared his throat loudly.

“What is it, Ranbir? Please, speak freely.” The demon prince’s voice stayed kind, but I could tell by the tic of his jaw that there was tension. Whatever silent conversation the two had in that moment made me painfully aware that there was something I was missing, and it was important.

“I do not mean to insert myself where I do not belong, but I have long since prayed to the gods that you would come, Princess. Seeing you here is of great relief to me. I would like you to know that the fae of this realm fully support your—”

“Apologies Ranbir, but Asher needs to get ready for her requested training. I do appreciate your help this morning,” Bellamy rushed, ending the conversation.

He placed his hand on the small of my back, pushing me towards the way we came. My head whipped back to watch Ranbir close his door, those black eyes never leaving mine. Chills ran down my spine as my mind raced through the possibilities of what the Healer might have meant.

I shoved off Bellamy’s hand when we were out of Ranbir’s earshot, whirling on the demon.

“What are you keeping from me, Elemental? Do I not even have the right to know the secrets that concern me?” I spat out, my finger tapping his chest in time with my words.

Had I always been this violent? No, I could not have been. It was this place, this house, this male.

“I owe you nothing, please do not forget that,” he said matter-of-factly. I could tell he was on edge, but I could not care less.

“You stole me in the middle of my wedding after swearing to me you would never take me against my will again, then you murdered my betrothed. The least you owe me is honesty!” I shouted. My face heated up and my head pounded. I was uncontrollably angry, and barely containing my power that was trying to burst free from me.

“First of all, you can stop pretending that you were not begging for the wedding to end. I saved you from a man who would sooner murder you than respect you! I know you, and that life would have killed you if he did not,” he said, arms flying in the air.

I refused to back down, to flinch. Instead, I squared off my shoulders, gritted my teeth, and steeled my heart.

“You claim to know so much about me, but have yet to ask me how your actions made me feel. I have been conscious for one night, and I already am being lied to and manipulated, as I have been by you since before we even met.” Every piece of my rage accumulated into that seed of power within my chest, making my fingertips tingle, my ears ring, and my head spin. Everything was heavy.

“I realize I went about this wrong, Asher, but you needed to be removed from beneath their shoes to see what has always been in front of you. You have to realize that the life you were living had no purpose. That you were suppressed and secluded. There was nothing but death and sorrow awaiting you. Can you not understand why I would take you from there?” His hands went to my cheeks, but all I could focus on were the truth of his words.

The life you were living had no purpose.

Was that not the same thing I had been chanting to myself for so long? Still, it pained me to hear the words spoken aloud.

“I know you plan to ransom me, so please, just get on with it so I can go back to where I belong,” I said, my voice sounding as defeated as I felt.

He winced, rearing back as if I had struck him. In fact, my words seemed to have hurt far worse than the punch that smashed his nose earlier.

“You know nothing, Princess,” he rasped, voice full of raw hurt.

“I want to go home.” I was begging, and I hated it, but my pride could take the hit if it meant I would be safely in my own bed tonight.

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