Page 132 of A Broken Throne of Bronze

But I find none.

He stares back at me for a moment, his face telling me everything words can’t. I hope—no, I know—that my expression does the same. His thumb brushes my cheek, fingers grazing my chin. Then his gaze breaks from mine, falling to my arm.

His brows knit together. Roaring fires blaze in his amber eyes, like a spark catching dry grass.

“Who did this to you?”

Arching a brow, I look down at my arm, following his line of sight. Bruises circle my forearm where Loren’s fingers met my skin.

“It’s nothing,” I tell him, lowering my arm.

“Little Fawn,” Viridian grumbles in warning. “Tell me who’s responsible.”

“We were arguing. Loren, he—”

Viridian growls. “I’ll kill him.”

“No!” I shout. “No, you won’t. I’m fine.”

But he doesn’t seem to hear me.

“Viridian,” I demand, turning his face to mine. “Look at me. I’m all right. I’m here, with you. I chose you.”

He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. Then he dips his head and touches his forehead to mine, wrapping his arms around me.

“I love you,” he breathes. “Gods, I love you.”

“And I love you,” I tell him. It feels so good to say it out loud. Now, I want to say it a million more times, just to see how it makes his face light up again and again. “More than anything.”

Taking my face in his hands, he crushes his lips to mine. The kiss lights a spark inside me, drawing me in.

“More than anything,” he repeats.

I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him closer.

“Viridian,” I say, when we pull away. My voice turns deathly serious. “The situation out there—it’s so much worse than we could have ever imagined. The horrors I saw…” My lips draw back when I cringe, the image of Hylmfirth fresh in my mind, like a raw wound.

“That’s what I feared.” His tone is as grave as mine. Heavy. There’s something he’s not telling me. But before I can ask, his expression shifts and he changes the subject. “Your father is stable?”

“Yes,” I say, gathering my thoughts. “Viridian, there’s so much we need to talk about.”

“I know, and I want to hear about everything—your family, what you’ve seen. But only after you rest and bathe. You’ve had a long journey.” Placing his hands on both my shoulders, he gives me a light squeeze. “This can wait a night.”

“But—” I protest.

“Please, Cryssa,” he begs, and it weakens whatever willingness to fight I have left. “Don’t neglect your own well-being. I’ve only just gotten you back.”

I sigh. He’s right, and I know it. “All right.”

Viridian nods, still holding my gaze. “I’ll have Tiffy bring a hot meal to your chamber. She’s been worried sick about you.”

My heart swells.

Tiffy. I’ve missed her.

Viridian presses a kiss to my forehead before nudging me forward. “Go. I’ll be waiting for you.”

Somehow, the tub is already filled with hot water when I get to my chamber. Though, the room is empty, save for me. Lymseia must have sent for someone to run my bath when I arrived at the gate.

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