Page 49 of Amethyst and Iron
“I’m so sorry,” I choked.
He frowned. “What are you apologizing for?”
“You were hurt. You suffered. And the fault is mine.”
He came to me, supporting my weight and even tightening the sheet around me. “The fault is certainlynotyours.”
“Cassius—”
“It isnot.”He caught my gaze flicking to Sylas. “No. You are not responsible for his condition either. Those are indisputable facts. Sorin andPuritasbear responsibility. End of story.”
I jolted in his arms. “Puritas?”
He winced.
“Cassius? This wasn’t him acting alone?”
I remembered that Sorin had referenced‘we’when he’d been spewing his hate and threats at me, including a very specific threat against Lazriel. But he’d been known to posture before and also majorly embellish his standing in certain situations and the power he had at his back.
Cassius drew in a breath. “Puritashas risen.”
“Then Lazriel is in grave and immediate danger. I need to tell—”
“We are all aware. The Guardian Movement is taking steps as we speak.”
His gaze had flickered as he’d said that.
“You’re not telling me something.”
It hit me then. “I tried to feel you through the Soul Brand when I woke up, but I couldn’t. I thought it was my current weakness, but it’s not, is it? You’re doing it again?” My voicecracked. “You’re cutting off that connection, barring me from feeling you?”
“Just temporarily. I swear it to you.”
“Temporarily why?”
“Just until you have fully recovered.”
“Why? What’s happened?”
“Velra, let us focus on you regaining your strength and equilibrium. Not to mention, what you endured was far from just physical damage.”
I stared up at him steadily. “I think you know me better than that.”
His lips quirked. “You are correct. I most certainly do.A force of nature.” Off my look, he explained, “That is what I have heard Lazriel call you. And it is undeniably fitting.” He shifted his hold around me so he was supporting me with one hand only, his other free, then lifting to stroke my cheek. “That is why Sorin rages so intensely against you, because he knows he cannot break you, and that infuriates a twisted beast of a being like him.”
I reached out and pressed my hand to his shirt, right over where I knew the Soul Brand to be, stroking softly.
He smiled down at me, then covered my hand with his, holding me right there.
He dipped his head and nuzzled against me.
And then I felt him reopen his end of our connection.
“I am here,” he whispered. “Fear not, we will weather this together.”
His words rolled over me a moment before the sensations did, all that he’d been keeping at bay now bleeding into me.
Painfully.
