Page 109 of Of Rime and Ruin
Blood in the water.
Look down.
My claws, covered in blood.
Gashes on her hips.
Her eyes wide. Lip trembling. Face scrunched in pain.
I stare.
Broken. I broke her.
I wanted her too much.
Aethan.
Her voice comes, distant, like a whisper.
Aethan, it’s okay.
She cups my cheek. Stroking softly.
Aethan, let’s go. Take me to Lucas.
Her words register, but barely.
I hold her. Swim with her.
Gentle.
Her blood trails behind us.
Evidence of my crime.
I don’t deserve her.
I cannot love her.
I lied.
I.
Am.
Not.
Safe.
Chapter forty-five
Nahla
Wedon’ttalkaboutwhat happened.
I recall bits and pieces. Me, in shock. Aethan, in terror. Pain. Deep, fleshy pain. Water parts around my body. Our mental link dilutes. A flash of cold wind, then the sound of creaking metal gates. Bare hands clutch me to a firm chest. A racing heart, battering ribs.
His heart. I can feel it aching.
