Page 7 of Eclipse of Fate
“All you can do is be there for him. He is a good man. He will work it out, eventually.” A soft smile washes over his dark complexion as he pats my hand endearingly. Oblivious to the panic I’m trying to bury. I breathe in through my nose and out through my mouth, trying to calm my racing heart while we walk.
As we reach the antechamber just before the infirmary, we are met with multiple sets of eyes trained on us. Each one has their brows raised high and their eyes rounded at the corners, making my worry increase. A tall man with a weathered face and crooked nose nods to Maki, then jerks his head to the doors, his white rolled hair flings from his head with the motion. With the contrast of his dark skin, the tendrils almost glow in the light of the moon, much like my own. His mouth presses into a hard line as he looks at me and down to the bond mark on my arm.
“Trent is in bad shape. Got his ass handed to him,” His gaze meets mine, “Excuse my language.”
“Who did this?” Maki demands to the male at the center.
“Not sure, to be honest. The kid came in talking all sorts of nonsense and cursing Dax multiple times.” My brow furrows at his words, and I wonder why Trent would be cursing Dax?
“Can I go in and see him?” I ask as I turn my gaze to the door to the infirmary.
“Of course. We will both go.” Maki answers as he guides me to the door. The tall man opens the large door for us, nodding with a curt bow as we make our way down the hall of doors. Ginny is standing about halfway down with a stack of parchment in her hands. When she sees us coming, she meets us in the middle.
“Good evening, Raelle. I wish I could be seeing you on better terms.”
“Trent?” I ask, looking around her, trying to get eyes on my friend.
“He’s ok. He’s been healed and is sleeping the rest of it off.” She reaches for me, rubbing my upper arm, and gives me a sad smile.
“Do you know what happened? Is Dax here with him?”
“It was not clear exactly what happened, but I did manage to get him to answer a few questions, which leads me to believe Dax is responsible for his brother’s current condition.” She says, as she guides me to the door and opens it silently. “You can visit with him. He will be able to leave soon after he wakes.”
“Thank you, Ginny.”
I turn my gaze into the infirmary bed; the small, sterile room reminds me of when I found Dax—not long ago. Every time I have to stand in one, it brings back the memory of my laying eyes on him, cursed and dying. A chill breaks across my skin, even now.Ambriel sits in a chair next to Trent. When she hears us enter, she looks up at us and quirks her brow in my direction. I let go of Maki’s arm and rush to Trent’s bedside.
“Oh my gods. How—how could this have happened?” My voice comes out in a whisper. His face is bruised and battered. Blood stains his clothing and the pillow he rests his head on. He looks like he was attacked by multiple men, not just one. His eyes are shut, but I can see how they flicker with a restless sleep behind his eyelids.
“Well, from the sounds of it, this is Dax’s doing,” Ambriel says as her brows shoot to her hairline, and she takes a deep inhale, blowing it out of her cheeks as she looks back down on Trent. “He was talking all sorts of funny shit, but in all seriousness. I’m worried, Raelle. Why would Dax do something like this?”
My stomach clenches as sadness washes over me, thinking about the state of mind Dax is in right now. If he did this to Trent, I worry that he could be out there alone and getting himself into trouble, just like he did when Melani went missing. Maki must sense where my thoughts have drifted because he places a hand between my shoulder blades, rubbing lightly, trying to ease some tension gathering there.
“I’ll go look for Dax.” He doesn't wait for a response and turns away from me, where I hunch over Trent. Tears prickle at my eyes as I pick up his hand and lay a kiss on the back of his busted knuckles. He fought back. How could they do this to each other? After everything? I know they are hurting, but this? I lift my head, meeting Ambriel’s gaze.
“He will be ok. The healer assured me… Is this common between the two of them?” she asks.
“No. I don’t think so, anyway… They are hurting. I’m sure they are just working through their emotions.” My head whips back to Trent as he groans, and his face twists up in pain.
“Fucking hell. My head.” He croaks.
“I’ll get the healer.” Ambriel rushes away as Trent opens his eyes, blinking rapidly and pressing the palm of his free hand to the center of his forehead. His eyes sweep the room, and he moves to sit up.
“Hey, maybe you should stay lying down…” He begins to shake his head in denial before another groan breaks free.
“Dax?” he asks, looking toward the door.
“He’s not here. What happened between you two, Trent? This doesn’t seem like you.”
“I got my ass kicked; that’s what happened. That husband of yours has some power packed behind his punches. Remind me not to piss him off ever again, yea?” The corner of his mouth twitches into a small smile, and he laughs dryly, then bites at the skin on his lip. “Has Kait come back yet?” I shake my head.
“There has been no sign of Kait, though Maki assures me that the sentries are keeping an eye out for any sign of her.” The words from the raven shifter earlier tonight echo through my head.It’s not safe outside of the castle walls. I hope that Kait is safe, wherever she is. I have to believe that she is.
“This wasn’t entirely his fault, Rae. I asked for it.” I feel the heat rising up my neck at Trent’s words before my frustration from the situation boils over.
“You are both wrong for doing this!” I sweep my hand up and down, gesturing to his battered body, my voice rising with every word. “You are brothers, and—and you only have each other left. You need to cherish that. I know you’re hurting, but you can’ttake for granted what you have. You can’t actively hurt each other when the real problem lies beyond these walls. Can't you see that?” Trent’s head hangs, and he wrings his hands in his lap.
“I know. You’re right about that; I shouldn’t have pushed him. I know he feels responsible, but Rae… I’m not a kid anymore, and I’m just as responsible for what happened as he is.” His jaw twitches as he clenches his teeth, “He’s a dick. I knew he would push me away. That’s what he does. It's what he’s always done, but I’m afraid I took it too far. He’s never blown up—like this—the way he did with me.” His eyes raise to the ceiling; the shine to them makes me think he’s trying to hold back the emotion building there, causing me to soften my tone.
