Page 132 of Shadows of Ruin

“Vivienne.” I said her name softer, as I kneeled and reached a hand tentatively toward her.

Shame rushed over me. I wasn’t sure how to comfort her during one of her episodes. I’d never stuck around long enough before to see how it played out before I ran away. Even during the last trial, I was too consumed by what was happening in the arena to see what happened to her.

Yet Vivienne had saved my life. My father’s letter told me so. She saved me and Elisabeth. I’d repaid her with years of loathing and bitterness.

As if sensing my emotions, Kade stood closer to me. But it was Ian who crouched down next to me, taking my hand.

“The past is the past, Lan,” he said. “There is still time to make it right.”

He knew how I’d despised Vivienne for most of my life. He also knew what the words in my father’s letter did to me, knowing her role in my life. Ian didn’t judge me. For any of it. Even if I wished someone would.

“We’re here, Vivienne,” I said, this time not hesitating to touch her skin. “You are safe.”

Her body paused, still for a moment as she blinked a fewtimes. A smile curved her lips when she finally registered my presence. “Beautiful little babe.”

“How did you escape?” I asked. “Are you hurt?”

She shook her head, resuming her steady rocking. “Evil didn’t linger. Time to flee arrived. Flee to the feeling. Flee to the pull. Blood of the heirs.”

I turned, looking over my shoulder, asking the group instead of any one person. “Can you get her water? Something to eat?”

“Of course.” Kade responded first, touching my shoulder. Though he moved toward William, his shadows stayed with me.

Vivienne smiled as she rocked. “The time has come. Fear, yes. Fear. But light. It’s coming.”

“Everything is all right now,” I said, brushing her arm. Her skin felt cold to the touch. Instead of asking someone else this time, I wanted to do something for her myself. It didn’t make up for the past, but Ian was right. I could treat her with kindness now.

William stood at the bar, lining up mugs by slamming them down on the counter. I tried not to jump as the last one cracked with the force he put behind it.

“I hate to bother you,” I said. “Do you happen to have a blanket I could borrow?”

His hard stare softened the minute I smiled, and a blush crept up his cheeks. As if he suddenly realized who he was speaking to. “I mean no disrespect, Your Majesty.”

“I understand. I used to be uncomfortable with the ramblings myself.”

“I’ll be right back,” he huffed under his breath. When he returned from the back, he carried a quilt in his hands.

“Thank you,” I said, touching his arm before returning to Vivienne.

I wrapped the surprisingly soft blanket around her shoulders, and she stilled once more.

Kade held up a spoon, blowing on the steaming soup delicately before offering it to Vivienne. She shifted her attention to him, a smile breaking through again, just as it had with me. “You listened well.”

He grinned back at her. “I know when to heed a seer.”

Vivienne leaned forward, allowing Kade to feed her the brothy soup. My chest tightened. A prince on his knees before an old woman, caring for her despite the hell he had just experienced. A woman he barely knew. She wasn’t Cassandra, even if he told me once she reminded him of her, but he treated Vivienne with the same respect.

A respect I’d failed to give.

A sharp breath behind us made me jump, and I swiveled.

Raya’s body stood stiff, her eyes white.

“Raya?” Ian pushed past me, going to her side. Before he grabbed her, Storm cut him off, holding him back. “Get off,” Ian argued. “Don’t you think she needs help?”

“She doesnotneed help,” Storm said. “Give her a minute. You can’t touch her when she’s like this.”

We waited, watching Raya, and I knew before she spoke that Kade’s father was infiltrating her mind.

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