Page 14 of The Bonds of Nyx

The smile slipped from my lips, and I sobered up quickly as her eyes filled with tears again, because I knew what she was thinking—we got the terrible voices from Kerry. “So, do you think you’ll be okay for now? I know this is going to be hard, but you need to know you can always talk to me. About anything. I don’t want you worrying over how to tell the girls about all of this—that’s not your responsibility. I’m going to take care of you now, okay?”

Eloise’s lips trembled as she nodded. On a shaky breath, she said, “Okay,” and dove into my arms.

For a while, I let her cry while holding in my own tears. For Eloise, Ginny, and Maisie, for the little girls who were losing their mother after being abandoned by their dad.

When the tears stopped, I held Eloise at arm’s length. “Shower and change. I want to introduce you to the team. Would that be okay?”

Eloise hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Okay. I’m a little hungry. Maisie probably wants to eat, and I think Ginny does, too.”

“Okay,” I replied, nodding. “I’m going to put them in the bath, see if I can detangle their hair, and hope there are toothbrushes lying around.”

A half-smile appeared on my sister’s face as she stood. “Good luck getting Ginny to brush her teeth. She’s been refusing for the last week.”

I sighed. Worry ate at me as Eloise slipped into the ensuite bathroom for the bedroom. I waited until the shower turned on before returning to Kerry’s room. Maisie was finally awake and threw herself at me before I could speak. I didn’t say a word as she clung to me, though she didn’t cry like her sisters. She simply held onto me like she was afraid to let go.

I picked Maisie up and ushered Ginny into the bathroom to run them a bath, instructing them both to strip while I found shampoo and bubble bath. Somehow, someone had filled the cabinets beneath the sink with everything the girls would need, including bath bombs, toothbrushes, and kid-friendly shampoo.

Maisie chattered while I scrubbed her head, but Ginny remained quiet. I knew she was worried but when I offered her a smile, she gave me one back.

With both girls cleaned and dried off, I hunted down clothes for them. The witch staying with Kerry pointed towards a closet, and I found a few things that might fit the kids, but I would need to get a hold of new clothes for them all once we were on the island.

My stomach plummeted at the thought. I had no idea what life would be like for them there. I was so worried about the Queen shit that I had no clue what the girls would do once we arrived.

“Ivy?” Maisie appeared, her wet hair curling at the ends, eyes red as she rubbed them. “I’m hungry.”

I offered her a smile that I hoped looked reassuring. “I know, nugget. How about we go down and see what we can find. I’m sure Thea can help make us something yummy.”

Maisie’s eyes brightened but flickered over to Kerry. “I don’t want to leave Mommy in case she wakes up.”

A knot formed in my throat as I followed her gaze. Kerry’s chest barely moved, and when it did, it looked laboured. Her cheeks were hollow, and the bags under her eyes were bruised. She looked like death was waiting for her, and there was nothing I could do to protect my baby sister from that.

“Mommy just needs to sleep. She won’t wake up while you eat. I promise.”

Maisie’s eyes found mine, eyes watery, but she nodded. She placed her soft hand in mine and let me guide her over to Ginny and Eloise, who waited by the door.

I spared Kerry another look. The witch bowed her head. “I will keep watch over your mother, don’t you fret. She is stable and comfortable.”

For now,I wanted to add. But I looked away. I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded. There was nothing I could do for Kerry, according to them.

But there was more I could be doing for the three girls crowding around me.

So, I pushed my shoulders back, gave them all a smile, and led them out of the room.

For them, I would do better. No matter what.

6

MAEVE

THEroom fell into an anxious silence as ivy andher three sisters made their way down the stairs. There was a determination in the way Ivy walked, in the way her eyes danced over those of us standing around the sleek kitchen.

The younger girls shied away, but the eldest focused her hardened gaze on Elias first, then gave the rest of us uneasy glances. Her anger was potent and well-understood. She was in this position because we had failed to protect her family properly. The blame rested on my shoulders alone.

“You’re all here,” Ivy said, a pleased smile curving her lips. I wouldn’t tell her that I’d overheard her intentions of introducing her sisters to us, nor would I admit to eavesdropping because I was still worried after her nightmare. I had a thousand things to do to prepare for our departure before full moon, yet I put everything on hold so Ivy’s sisters could be more at ease in our presence.

I tried to ignore the odd rattling of my heart as Ivy’s soft gaze swept over us. I caught sight of my dagger tucked into the hem of her pants and noted I would need to get her a new sheath and harness for it soon.

“Great. Okay.” Ivy knelt and gently positioned the youngest and middle child in front of her. Each movement was soft, and they moved like a well-oiled machine. The young girls trusted her implicitly and loved her dearly. Ivy clearly felt the same, despite her reservations about her family.

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