Page 21 of The Healer

It was more than that. “You accused me of trying to drug you, of trying to trick you!”

Brine burst into the room, glaring at the two of them. “My wife and daughter are currently sleeping but not for long if you continue to shout the house down.” He glanced between her and Briggs and gave the blasted bear a smile. “Congrats, old friend.” He nodded and disappeared back out the door.

That bastard.

Nyx stormed from the room—as well as someone could on tiptoes—and out the front door without closing it behind her. She practically raced toward the nearest beach, Briggs’ steady steps following her. The warm morning sand greeted her bare feet and grew cooler as she reached the ocean’s edge.

“I’ve never known you to be one to run, Nyx.”

She spun on her heel, scowling. “I’m not running.”

“Yes, you are. I know what it looks like. I’ve been doing it for years since Pyre rescued me from the pits.” Briggs strode through the white sand to her and stopped just before her. Nyx tipped her head back to stare up at him, feeling like the world was off-balance. “I’ve thrown myself into helping others to atone for my mistakes and to avoid what haunts me. I never wanted to look back, but I didn’t know how to move forward either.”

“I was there, trying to help you!”

“I know.” He seized her face, his touch desperate. “You have always been a bright spot in my life, my very best friend. I’ve just never let myself hope for or imagine anything else.” Briggssmiled and leaned down until his forehead touched her own. “You’ve given me hope. You’ve given me everything.”

Nyx shook her head. “If this is all true, why wait so long to come to me? It’s beenthreemonths.”

“Because I had to be sure.”

“You didn’t believe me?” She jerked back.

“I did.” Briggs didn’t let her go far, wrapping an arm around her waist. “I’ve always trusted you.”

“That’s not what you said.” It hurt even to remember it.

“Words that I have regrated saying each day since.” He touched her chin and lifted it so she met his serious gaze. “I’m so sorry for the hurt I’ve caused. I know it’s no excuse, but I wasn’t in my right mind that day in the infirmary. All I could see was you being tortured, the Mistress standing over you, and the blue drugs.” Shame filled his eyes. “I reacted poorly. Honestly, I was having a hard time telling what was real and what wasn’t.” He shook his head, his dark braids swaying between them. “I will forever be making up for my mistakes if you’ll let me. Know that from this day forward I intend only to bring joy into your life.”

“Not possible,” she retorted on another sob. How could she believe him?

Briggs grinned. “I’ll try my best at least, if you’ll let me.”

“I don’t know if I can.”

“I’ve known you a long time, Nyx. You and I both know that’s not true. You are kind, generous, loving, strong, courageous, and forgiving.”

No, she wasn’t. “So I’m just supposed to forgive you? Like you never ripped my heart out? Like you never accused me of being like your Mistress?”

Briggs blanched. “No! I have and never will compare you to her. As I said before, I trust you.” He released her chin and dipped into his pocket, pulling another blue vial out. Briggs held it up between them. “You wanted to know why I didn’tcome sooner? It wasn’t because I didn’t believe or trust you. It’s because I wanted to make sure that I could trust myself.” His throat bobbed. “I wanted to make sure that I was the kind of man you deserved.”

More tears flooded her eyes. “I never asked you to be anything other than yourself.”

“I know, love. But you were right in accusing me of being stuck in the past. I’ve buried myself in healing to atone for my sins. While I love it, and it’s given me peace, I’ve never truly dealt with what I experienced in the pits. So I sought out the help of a mental healer that Tempest suggested.”

Nyx blinked up at him. A mental healer? “And?”

He exhaled, and glanced down at the damp sand, the ocean lapping gently around their feet. “It opened wounds that have been festering for far too long. But it’s been cleansing too. I think the terrors will always lurk in the back of my mind, but they won’t control my life.” Briggs put the serum back in his pocket before taking her right hand and bringing it to his lips. He kissed her knuckles tenderly before meeting her gaze once again. “I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I’ll wait forever if that’s what it takes.”

This man was going to ruin her.

He already has.

She wanted to forgive him. He’d never been a cruel soul. But she needed to know one more thing.

“The mark.” Nyx pushed her hair back so he could see it. “You’re not just saying these things because you feel obligated to me? Because if that’s the case, I’ll be walking away right?—”

Briggs kissed her. The type of kiss that stole your breath and set your soul aflame. She clutched his shirt between her fists as his thick arms banded around her waist.

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