Page 112 of A Realm of Fire and Ash

My breathing is shallow, the ache of my heartbreak too great to take deep breaths.

"I interpreted a prophecy wrong, and you were the casualty of it. It's something I'll spend the rest of our lives making up to you."

"What prophecy?" Caius looks up from where his hands are cradled in his head in front of the fireplace.

"When a virgin phoenix falls,

Her blood does hold a hidden call,

To those who taste its flaming hue,

Their bond forever true.

But not all who taste her flame,

Will feel this bond and take its name,

Only the chosen few will see,

The bond that's meant to be.

Loathing consumes one lover whole,

And he plots to take control,

He schemes to end her fate,

With a wicked, malevolent hate.

As he's distracted by this strife,

His enemies plot to take his life,

Leaving him to face the fight,

All on his own, with all his might."

His words are spoken with such feeling that I can practically feel his shame radiating off him.

I place my hands on either side of his face, wiping away the tears that have gathered in his eyes.

So I was sent here—not because what I did was irredeemable—but because I have a destiny to fulfil? I swallow hard and my heart quivers with hope.

"That's why you tortured me?" I breathe, and he nods, his eyes blazing with regret.

"Irid was the conspiring with the enemy this entire time," he whispers. "I'm so sorry, Morte."

"Does this mean you're done being mean to me?"

His shadows coil around my ankles, yanking me so I slide off the bed and into his lap with a startled yelp. He cups my cheeks, pressing his forehead to mine.

"Morte, I never claimed to be a good man. I torture and kill people with little regard for their feelings. But know that I will never hurt you ever again, and I'll kill anyone who tries. Starting with my sister-in-law."

"I tore her to pieces."

"You what?" He pulls back, studying me.

"Well, my phoenix did ..." I wince. "But yeah, she's dead."

---