Page 58 of My Salvation

She patted Aiden’s hair and kissed him gently. “I’m not stupid, and I’m not weak. Have some faith in me.”

Standing, he easily picked her up as he straightened, then sat back down, holding her gently. “I have faith in you. It’s the demon I don’t trust.”

Brennus could only stare, his eyes vacant as he processed everything he heard. When he blinked, his eyes came back in focus. “The beautiful lie,” he whispered.

Meryn shrugged. “Why tell them my life sucked?”

Nigel, Neil and Pip were surprisingly dry-eyed. They nodded with an understanding that had her worried for the boys.

Pip moved to lay his head against Meryn’s left side. “Bad times go away like night facing the dawn. You just have to hold out.”

Nigel and Neil scooted in from the other side to place a hand each on Meryn’s leg. “The memory of hunger pains fades when you enjoy new foods with those you love,” Neil said.

Nigel smiled. “Scars heal when you laugh with family.”

Meryn smiled at her brothers. “Exactly. You can’t stay stewing in your shit.”

Cas shook her head, a new appreciation for Meryn’s humor. “So eloquent,” she quipped.

Meryn winked at her.

At the other end of the table, Amelia was on her cell phone. “I don’t care if it’s forbidden, Father! Find a way for me to hurt that woman, or so help me, gods!”

Darian was hovering around his mate looking frantic. “Calm down, honey.”

“You calm down!” She shouted in her mate’s face, causing Darian to stumble back and fall on his rear.

Turning back to her phone. “Yes, mother. It was a thousand times worse than you can imagine. Tell him to figure it out. Love you, too.” She tapped her phone and crossed her arms. “At the very least, we can move that hag to Lycaonia’s border.” She thrummed her fingers on her arm as the floor under them undulated.

Kincaid closed his eyes and the floor stopped vibrating. Grinning he turned to Meryn and the boys. “I did it.”

Meryn gave him a thumbs up.

Thane and Kendrick’s eyes widened at Amelia’s outburst. Cas had a feeling they rarely got to see the happy-go-lucky Bubbles truly angry. In that moment, she could see that she really was Meryn’s cousin.

“I don’t know anything about undead magic or whatnot, but I can help design the most obnoxious and ugly headstone,” Brie promised.

Izzy’s response shocked Cas the most. “And we can torture anyone that is still alive that knew Meryn was getting abused.”

Cas took in the room. The men had fallen to pieces, but the women, the women, were pissed.

“Scorched earth, baby!” Zoe said, hands erupting in flames.

“Later, hun,” Gage said, blowing on her hands in an attempt to extinguish the flames.

Meryn looked around, taking in everyone’s reactions. “I didn’t mean to upset everyone,” she said softly.

The queen shook her head. “You have carried that pain on your own since you were nothing but a baby. It was past time for you to share some of what you experienced so we can help you carry that burden going forward.” The queen looked to her niece, and the fierce pride in her expression had Cas smiling. “Look at you. Look how wonderful you have become despite it. Meryn, you are a miracle.”

Meryn looked back at her squire. “Trust me, please.”

Ryuu’s face contorted. “He’s a demon,” he started.

Meryn pointed to Gage. “And he’s a vampire. According to most human folklore, he’s a blood-sucking fiend that should die with a stake through the heart.”

“I would shield you from this darkness,” Ryuu said, placing a gentle hand on her head.

“Maybe I’m not supposed to be shielded. You’re the one that keeps saying I see things clearer than most.” She pointed to her chest. “He has done wrong. He’s probably responsible for killing thousands of people, but for some reason, he doesn’t feel evil. I can’t explain it.”

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