Page 38 of Thorn of Sorrow

Black wings ruffled, the feathers shivering in warning. “Watch your tone, Richard.” Each word dropped like a sledge hammer. “You might be the last of your kind, but I will not tolerate you speaking to me in that manner. It’s Kyson’s life we’re trying to save. I will do anything to bring him back!”

Richard lowered his head, his gaze darting to me. “I care very deeply for Kyson. He has shown me nothing but kindness and friendship. Please, allow me to save my friend.”

“Where were you while this was going on?” I sneered as I stood, hugging my little bird to me. “You seem to live in this kitchen, yet you were nowhere to be found when he was being attacked!”

“I was regenerating.” He met my gaze, his eyes begging me to drop the subject.

“He’s telling the truth,” Malachi said. “If he hadn’t been, I would have hauled him out here the second this happened.”

“Did you burst into flames and were reborn from your ashes?” Dane asked. “How long does that take? Does it hurt? Do you feel like a new man, ’cause no offense, you still look the same to me.”

“Can you interrogate him tomorrow?” If there was a chance of saving Kyson without converting him, I didn’t want to waste precious time. The longer we waited… I forced the thought away, refusing to think of the breakdown of his body.

“Place him on the island,” Richard said firmly.

I moved swiftly, but when I tried to put him down, I backed away.

“Giovanni?” Malachi furrowed his brows.

“I-I can’t.” My throat burned as I swallowed. “I can’t let him go. He needs to know he’s safe in my arms. What if I release him and he doesn’t come back?” I gazed down at his handsome face, telling myself he was only sleeping, that he would wake soon, though I couldn’t convince myself of the lie.

I was terrified of hope, because hope meant I risked losing him all over again. I’d never let anyone in before, never opened my heart, and the moment I did, fate had ripped Kyson away. If this didn’t work…

“Giovanni.” Malachi stood close to me but didn’t touch. “Brother, we’re not going to take him from you,” he said softly. “There’s no safer place for him than in your arms.”

I watched as he slowly lowered to one knee, bowed his head, and pressed his right fist over his heart. “As your prince, your brother, and your friend, I promise that Kyson will remain with you, both in spirit and against any force. I place my sword at your feet, ready to accept my fate if I break this vow of honor.”

My breaths came out shallow, shocked Malachi had given me an oath. He was now bound by it, and breaking it would result in his death by my hands. “I accept your vow, brother.”

Turning, I placed Kyson gently on the countertop, pausing with my arms still around him. Leaning in, I whispered into his ear, “Richard will help you now, but know that I’m right by your side, petit oiseau. If you depart this world, I will follow. This is my oath to you.”

By sheer will, I slid my arms free, but gripped Kyson’s hand. “Do we have enough time that I can wash the blood off of him?” Waking to his own blood coating his neck would only add to the trauma he was already going to face.

“If you wish to remove the evidence of his attack, I suggest getting him a fresh shirt as well,” Richard said.

“I’ll get it,” Malachi offered, which stunned me. My brother wasn’t exactly known for fetching things. But he was finally becoming the brother I had always yearned for, showing up in every way I needed him to.

As Malachi used the shimmer to cut down on time, I grabbed a dishtowel and wet it in the sink. My hands shook so badly, I forced myself to take a moment to blow out a breath. My earlier thoughts returned, haunting me.

Even if Kyson didn’t reciprocate my feelings, he would be alive. Which was all that mattered. Kyson had a lot of hurdles to overcome, and I wouldn’t allow my broken heart to be one of them.

Returning to the island, I carefully wiped at his neck, needing to scrub a bit harder in some areas. Thankfully, he wasn’t able to feel how roughly I was treating him. The dried blood was more stubborn to clean, but I was determined to erase it all. To erase the memory of what Osiris had done, to remove the demon’s fucking scent from the man I loved.

I was also wiping away my own failure, trying to erase the proof of what happened, as if making Kyson look untouched would somehow undo the nightmare.

As I tended to him, I made a conscious effort not to glance at the ragged flesh where Osiris had attempted to tear out his throat.

You rose from the ashes like a phoenix. You are powerful in mind, spirit, and body. A warrior was born from your trauma and you fought your way back. How could you not be the most beautiful man I’ve ever met?

I swallowed roughly as I recalled the moment I’d said those words to Kyson. I just had no idea at the time it would be a literal phoenix who attempted to save him.

Malachi returned, setting the shirt on the counter. “If you don’t mind, I would rather you didn’t tell Kyson I was in his room. He might burn it down for spite if he finds out.”

“I told you to talk to him.” Dane gave him the stink-eye. “You can’t rebuild your relationship with him if you keep your mouth shut.”

“I just haven’t found the right moment,” Malachi gently argued.

“He was literally at my door earlier!” Dane exclaimed. “The perfect opportunity and ya let it pass ya by.”

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