Page 14 of The Healer

“Then why hide it?”

So you wouldn’t hate me.

“Because it was an accident.”

“That mark is too clean to be anything but deliberate.” He paused, his expression sobering. “Did he leave you? Did he hurt you?”

Nyx swallowed hard.

“You can talk to me,” he murmured, all kindness. “You know you’re safe with me.”

She laughed, the sound grating in her own ears. He wasn’t safe with her. “You can’t help me.” Nyx yanked her cloak off thepeg and tossed it over her shoulders. She had to get out of here before he wheedled what he’d done out of her.

Nyx wrenched open the door and stepped out onto the porch, intending on fleeing. Briggs caught her hand and pulled her back to him. She sniffed hard as he cupped her cheeks, his large warm hands dwarfing her face.

“We all have our secrets, but you don’t have to bear yours alone. And if a male forced you, all you must do is say the word,” he rumbled softly.

“It’s nothing.”

His gaze dropped to the clasp of her cloak, guilt creasing his forehead. “And I just took from you. I didn’t ask.” A heartbeat. “I shouldn’t have done that.”

If he’d stabbed her, it would have been less painful.

Nyx ripped out of his grasp and backed down the stairs until she reached the forest floor, sniffing back her tears. “I’m not safe with you.”

He blanched and she regretted her words but didn’t take them back.

She turned her back on him and strode into the woods. The time was coming for Talagans to be free from the monarchy and all she could think of was Briggs. That had to change. She had to turn off her feelings.

Chapter Seven

NYX

Present Day

“You’re doing great, darling,”Nyx praised while Scarlet blew out a long breath. “Now lift up your hips.”

Scarlet groaned but did as she was told. Nyx nodded to Brine who quickly but gently set several pillows beneath her hips to elevate them above her heart. Scarlet dropped her hips down with a grunt and smiled up at Nyx.

“I feel like a beached whale.”

“Not for long.” She grinned back at her friend and eyed Brine who watched Scarlet like a hawk. Patting Scarlet’s leg, Nyx tucked the very pregnant woman back under the sheets. “You’re doing great.”

“How much longer will she be like this?” Brine asked softly.

“Depends on the person.”

Scarlet snorted. “My pains are only coming every half hour. It’s going to be forever.”

“Which is not a bad thing,” Nyx said. “The babe is trying to enter this world bum first. We need to get them rotated head down before the pains get any closer together.”

Brine’s lips thinned. “Is that dangerous?”

“It’s uncomfortable.” She stared down her old friend. “Can you handle that?”

He nodded and Scarlet laughed, wiping sweat from her brow. “Stars save us from consoling men who aren’t going through the actual pain.”

Nyx snorted and set a knee on the bed, watching Scarlet. “Are you ready?”

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