Page 77 of Ignited Spirits
“Yeah,” I breathe because I can’t really deny that.
I feel someone step up against my back. By the vanilla citrus scent, I can tell it’s Archer, or, well, Legion right now, without even having to see him.
He wraps his arms around my middle and pulls me against him. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to express to you how fucking sorry I am you went through any of this, sunshine. You are the light of my life and a genuinely good person. You deserved so much better from the people in this shithole town. Say the word, and you’ll never have to see it again.”
“Sunny boy?” I ask in surprise before whirling around to face him. My heart skips a beat when I see his teal eyes staringdown at me. Unlike usual, they’re swimming with a sadness that breaks my heart.
His mouth curves in a grin. “It’s me, Izzy. The big guy agreed to let me have a little time with you. He really cares about you, just so you know. You’ve got a way about you that makes people fall in love with you. I love you more than I ever knew I could love anyone. Nothing will ever make me not love you, especially something that’s not even remotely your fault.”
Archer hesitantly enfolds me in a hug, like he’s worried that I’m going to freak out.
I don’t. Instead, I throw my arms around his neck and soak up his unique brand of comfort. “I love you too.”
“Can I hold her?” Luca rasps from behind Bishop.
Sighing, Archer drops a kiss on my hair before stepping back.
I turn around and come face-to-face with Bishop again. His arms loop around me and crush me against him before they fall away. He presses a kiss to my forehead and reluctantly steps back.
Before I can miss the feel of his arms around me, Luca is pressed against my front and Cain against my back.
“I’m so fucking sorry, wildcat,” he murmurs into my hair. “I wish I had the words to convey any of the devastation or fury or everything else I feel on your behalf, but I want you to know that I love you more than anything. Nothing about this changes that.”
Tears prick my eyes at his quiet words, my wolf boy somehow knowing exactly what I needed to hear.
“I love you, too, angel. There isn’t anything you could do to make me stop loving you, but you didn’t do anything wrong here. You were wronged. Just say the word, and I’ll eliminate all traces of every single one of them.” Cain’s soft words somehow convey an entire ocean of emotion as he presses himself as tight to me as he can.
It’s weird how my heart can simultaneously feel shredded and raw and absolutely full of love at the same time.
“I love you both, too,” I mumble into Luca’s chest, not really knowing what to say to the rest of it.
It’s not like this is exactly the place to be having these heart-to-hearts. We have a job to get done, but them taking time to support and reassure me means so much more to me than I’ll ever be able to tell them.
They hold me for a long minute before eventually stepping back. I’m surprised Rhys is the next one in front of me. His hazel eyes are pinched with worry and swimming with regret. He holds out his arms for a hug, and I step into them without hesitation.
“Why didn’t you tell me, Iz?” Rhys asks softly, sounding heartbroken. “I thought we were close.”
“We are close, Rhys.” I hate that I made him question it because my older brothers are some of my best friends. I’m lucky to have both of them. “I didn’t tell you because I’m… ashamed, I guess. I also didn’t tell you because I knew exactly what you’d do, and I refuse to let you get in trouble trying to protect me. I already cause enough trouble for our family just by existing.”
He pulls back to look at me in disbelief. “Our whole family has severely fucked up if you, even for a moment, didn’t think you could tell us what happened. We would’ve gotten you justice and ensured those fuckers never even looked in your direction again.”
“I know you would’ve. That’s the problem.” I shake my head because he’s just not getting it. “I’m not worth the trouble it would’ve caused.”
“You are, Izzy,” Rhys tells me, his expression brimming with sincerity. “You’re mine and Aiden’s only little sister. You’re Mom and Dad’s only daughter. You’re the heart of our family. You bring us together and make us stronger than we could ever bewithout. You teach all of us what it means to love and sacrifice and give all of yourself to those you care about. We are better people because we know and love you, and none of us would trade you for anything.”
This time, I can’t keep the tears from leaking out. The unconditional love and acceptance from my mates and brother break the dam that was keeping all my feelings under control.
And it feels like it heals something in me. I’ve felt so dirty and ashamed for so long about what happened to me. I expected judgment and disgust and disdain from everyone I cared about because I’ve felt responsible for everything that happened.
They all have a good idea of what happened now, and not one of them is angry at or blames me. If none of them hate me, then maybe I shouldn’t hate myself so much for what happened. Maybe I should listen to them when they say it isn’t my fault. Maybe I should forgive myself for what happened and not take responsibility for other people’s actions.
I sob in Rhys’s arms for longer than I should. He lets me soak his tee with tears as I shake from the force of the emotions I’d been bottling up for years.
Eventually, I’m able to get myself together enough to stop crying. This is so not the time to have a breakdown. Rubbing my hands over my eyes, I try to make myself look like I didn’t just cry my eyes out.
Taking a deep breath, I tell the room, “I’m sorry.”
Rhys’s mouth tips up in a half smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “Stop apologizing, Iz. You’re allowed to feel, you know? You don’t have to be superhuman all the time.”
