Page 14 of Ruthless Kings of Havoc

Either way, the movement of fingers trailing through my hair continues, despite my wakefulness. I can barely turn my head, but I do just enough to peer to my left.

Staring at the person with their eyes closed, I’m surprised to see my Masked Lover.

Zander…

I can’t comprehend this sensation that trickles through me. Relief? Surprise? Happiness? All three of them? It feels too much to try to figure it out, but to see Zander at the side of my bed ignites a sense of belonging.

I’m important to him.

I want to speak to assure him that I’m okay while he continues to play with my hair at such a slow pace, yet a tiny part of me is afraid. Frightened that this is all just a figment of my imagination.

How could I meet someone out of such a maddening situation and end up being worthy enough to have them at my side at my lowest?

It’s a question that only reminds me of the dream I just had. The memory from all those years when I thought I’d never be able to use my legs again.

He also came out of nowhere when I was at my worst.

All these years and he surprisingly was loyal to me.

Can I really trust Zander to be loyal as well?

The thought makes my eyes well with tears. My throat feels tight while my lips tremble, thanks to all this emotion that swells in my chest.

I don’t know if it’s the quiet sob that snaps Zander out of his lull state or the slight movement of my head when I try to look away, but he’s hovering above me before I can try to turn to the other side.

Try to hide how close I am to crying my eyes out.

At first, he says nothing. As we stare into each other’s eyes, he watches the way my tears descend along my cheeks. I expect him to walk out, to abandon me for being this weak bitch after everything we’ve gone through, but he does none of that.

Instead, he moves away at first. My heart drops in disappointment when he’s out of sight, but my body is lifted with ease, and I’m in his arms in a heartbeat.

I try to say his name, but the words don’t come out. They’re just sounds that don’t make any form of sense. Those noises match my sobs and whimpers.

I’m pressed into Zander’s chest, and he sits on the bed, rocking me as if I’m a child who needs the comfort of their loved one to encourage their slumber. No matter how you look at it, the action isn’t abandonment.

He’s embracing me despite all my flaws and imperfections.

Before I can grasp it, I’m crying long and hard into his arms. Only sounds of whimpering and sobs are lost against his chest and echo around us in this room. He doesn’t comment on it at all. He just cradles me like I’m vital to this world, rocking me in hopes of soothing the immense sadness in my heart.

That must be what this is.

Immense sadness that one would not only play with my emotions but would betray me because I no longer serve them.

It was expected.

I predicted this could happen.

Deep inside my very soul, I knew this would be inevitable. The only problem was I couldn’t decipher when it would happen. This is why it should be a blessing to know who your enemies are so early in the game.

That doesn’t mean no wounds are left behind. That I won’t have scars to show the revenants of those interactions with my betrayer.

“I-I…s-s-sor-” Words won’t work. My mouth can only make sounds. It’s so annoying, yet I don’t have the energy to try again. To correct where I lack in speech.

Zander leans over until his lips press lightly to my bicep.

On our mark.

“You owe no one an apology,” he finally whispers against my flesh. “Let it all out, my Ruthless Queen. I will never use it against you. I vow on my dead parents’ grave.”

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