Page 81 of Of Flame and Fate

She glances at Tye. “It’s going,” she replies, struggling to form her words. But then she smiles, and it’s all I can do not to cry.

Bren holds out his hand, keeping me back when I try to approach.

“Tye?” Bren calls. “The girls want to get closer to Destiny. They’ll serve the food.”

Tye rubs his face hard. “It’s up to her,” he says, answering as if Bren asked a question. He drops his hands away. “Des, you want to eat? Emme has that noodle soup you like.”

He likely smelled it even with the lid in place. Her smile lifts a little more. “You want me to, don’t you?”

“It’ll be good for you,” he tells her, his expression worn.

Poor guy looks like hell. His eyes are sunken from lack of sleep and he’s lost a tremendous amount of his bulk. Tye was always extraordinary. But that strength that used to flare like a lighthouse has been swallowed by a sea of torment. He hurts because she does. If that’s not real love, if that’s not what it means to be mated, I’ll never know what is.

It takes her a moment to reply, and I’m sure she’s drifted off to sleep. She nods, in a way that’s barely perceivable, the motion draining her of her strength.

Bren gestures Emme forward with a tilt of his head. She lifts the tray from Bren’s hand and carefully places it across Destiny’s lap.

“I can help you eat,” she offers.

“That might be better,” Destiny says. At least that’s what it sounds like. I’m straining to hear.

Emme lifts the cloth napkin. “Here, sweetie,” she says. “Why don’t we place this around your neck to spare your pretty clothes from any food that may drip.”

She pauses when Tye stiffens and an ungodly glare shoots in her direction.

Bren hauls Emme behind him, stepping into Tye’s line of vision, his features as fierce. “You know Emme would never hurt her,” Bren tells him, his voice gruff.

“I know,” Tye says, his comment sounding forced and too close to a growl. “I just . . .” He takes a breath, spitting out a row of swears.

Emme edges around Bren and carefully walks to Tye’s side of the bed. She reaches for him, only to have Bren snap his hand over her wrist and yank her back behind him. His response is so quick, I barely registered it. He didn’t hurt her, if anything he seemed to use more care than usual. But it’s as if his touch is too much for her and she shrinks away.

“Bren, let her go,” I say, meaning it in more ways than one. God damn it, if he’s not willing to do anything about their connection, the least he can do is not string her along.

My lightning cracks and sparks fly above my head when his hold becomes more shielding. “Bren,” I warn.

“He’s not going to hurt me,” Emme says, keeping her face away from Bren and fixed on Tye.

I’m not sure who she’s referring to, it’s hard to tell with bothweresso on edge. She slips from Bren’s hold. But just when I start to think she meant Bren, Tye is who she addresses.

“Tye,” she says, easing slowly around the bed. “I can help soothe you, if you let me.” She pauses a few feet from him. “Will you let me?”

He swallows hard, though says nothing. Emme takes his response as a yes and falls to her knees in front of him, assuming a passive and less threatening stance. Using the same gentle movements she used with Destiny, Emme takes Tye’s hands in hers, her gentle yellow light sheathing him and causing him to collapse forward. He sways in place, fighting to keep his balance. But then slowly, his spine curls and his head gently lowers, pressing against Emme’s.

She sighs, keeping her eyes closed as her small body bears his weight and her healingtouchshoulders his emotions.

Tye looks ready to break down, and the way Emme rubs her forehead against his, she’s ready to let him. It’s a beautiful sight, drawing a brittle yet grateful smile from Destiny. I turn away, trying to stay strong. It’s only then I catch how much it seems to tear Bren apart.

His knuckles crack as his hands ball into fists. I clasp his wrists, my jaw falling open with how rigid he appears. “Hey,” I say, keeping my voice as soft as possible. “Stop it, okay? She’s only trying to help him.”

His chest rises and falls, his breaths labored. “I don’t want him to hurt her,” he bites out.

“He won’t,” I say. I should be annoyed by how he’s acting. More than anything, I’m stunned.

I release him as Emme’s light recedes, watching Bren closely as I step toward her and Tye.

“Thank you,” Tye says. “I didn’t realize how bad it was.”

Emme can’t heal a broken heart, but her light is as gentle as she is, allowing her to soothe spirits and give them some reprieve.

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