Page 100 of Façade

For a moment I could only stare at him, slowly taking in the concern filling his eyes, the worry twisting his expression, his pallor, and most of all the blood staining his shirt and his hand…blood that continued to steadily drip from his wound to stain the leafy undergrowth.

All the emotions I’d been tirelessly fighting consumed me, impossible to contain any longer. With a strangled sob I seized him in a fierce embrace. He hesitated only a moment before with a groan of longing he embraced me back, his hold weak due to his lack of strength but just as adoring.

“I’m so glad you’re alright,” he murmured against my hair.

Nothing could match my own fierce relief that he was safe, but in this moment the words to express this sentiment proved impossible, so I only clung to him all the tighter. How strange that only a few days ago I’d wanted nothing more to do with him, yet in this moment nothing could compel me to ever let him go. Hearts certainly were fickle.

Ryland’s strength suddenly failed him and he slowly eased to the ground. I followed, desperate to remain as close to him as possible. I ripped a strip of fabric from the bottom of my petticoat to press to his side.

Sweat coated his pained expression, yet he still managed a weak smile. “Your magic…you were magnificent, Evie.”

My words that had remained stubbornly elusive returned in a swell of emotion. “How could you, for me—”

“You know why,” he murmured.

My heart both expanded with the sentiment and wrenched at the risk it’d compelled him to take, all for me. “But he nearlykilledyou. You stupid,stupidman.”

I slapped him on the chest before immediately regretting it. I pressed my lips above where I’d whacked him and gathered him close, tightly clinging to him with no intention of ever letting go. He let me hold him, murmuring soothing assurances as he stroked my hair.

I wished I could hold him forever as an assurance he was alive and with me in my arms…but I had more pressing matters to attend to. I forced myself to withdraw and push aside Ryland’s hand to look under the fabric in order to examine his wound. Horror seized my breath. It was deep and ghastly, not just bleeding but hot and red. I ached to look away, but I had frozen.

During my shocked stillness, Silas returned from dealing with the second assassin. “Did he have any information about who’s behind these attacks?” Ryland asked weakly.

“Unfortunately, he took himself out before sharing anything of worth.”

My stomach clenched. Sensing my distress, Ryland draped a reassuring hand over mine to still my sudden shaking, still ever concerned for me even midst his own horrific injury.

In a rare display of worry for the prince he so vehemently hated, Silas crouched to examine Ryland’s wound. By the thin set of his mouth, I knew the injury was as serious as it appeared. Even in my inexperience I could see Ryland was losing far too much blood. There was only one thing to do.

My magic lingered nearby, eagerly awaiting further instructions, but the moment I cradled it in my palm Ryland smothered it with his hand. “No, Evie. I refuse to ever hurt you in such a way again.”

I gaped at him in shock…and then I was angry, but for a far different reason than before. “Now is not the time to be noble. You’redying, Ryland.” He’d already lost so much blood. Any more…

Panicked, I tried to yank my hand free so I could once more summon my magic, but his firm grip was unrelenting. “No. You cannot use your precious magic on me. I won’t let you, not when I don’t deserve it.” Remorse replaced his previous urgency and he lowered his eyes, a wordless apology to add to the many others he’d already given me.

“Even if I hated you, you don’t deserve to die.”

His lips quirked up. “Even ifyou hated me? Does that mean what I hope it does?”

Drat my slip of the tongue. I pursed my lips. Even as he lay injured and bleeding, I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of confirming his suspicion; the man deserved some consequence for the turmoil he’d caused to wrench my heart. “Think whatever delusions you will if it’ll help you better cling to life.”

“Gladly.” His weak voice sounded far too cheerful for him to be merely hoping for my lack of indifference. The man knew me far too well, which meant he should realize this battle was one I was determined not to lose.

“Though stubbornness is a trait we share, by now you must realize I possess far more of it than you.”

He made no motion to protest after this declaration, allowing me to study his wound. It’d be best to bind it before healing him; I didn’t know how long I’d take with my inexperience, and I couldn’t risk him bleeding to death during the time it took me to figure out how to seal his gash. I tore more fabric from the underside of my petticoat for a makeshift bandage and began wrapping it around his side to staunch the flow of blood.

Silas watched for a moment before going to stand guard a little ways off, leaving us alone. Even though I was only tending Ryland's injury, the moment felt intimate enough for me to be grateful for our privacy—I wasn’t just healing his wound but the one his betrayal had rendered on my heart.

The reason for our distance appeared to be on his mind as well. “I can’t convey how deeply sorry I am, Evie.”

I didn’t immediately answer, focusing instead on the rhythmic winding of his bandage before finally giving up the relentless fight to meet his gaze. “I know. I’m sorry too.”

Perplexity furrowed his brow. “You have nothing to apologize for.”

“But I do. I sought to marry you with the intention to deceive. I’m to blame for the injuries riddling our relationship just as much as you.”

He considered my words before nodding, accepting both them and my apology. His forgiveness made it easier to extend it in return; watching him nearly die in front of me had changed everything.

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