When my memory returns, I shut my eyes, and that’s when a crushing blow more powerful than the rock that knocked me out cold steals my breath. Letting her go had been one of the biggest mistakes of my life.
Pointing that arrow at herheadhad been one of the most reckless things I have ever done, and I will never forgive myself. The memory of her terrified face will forever haunt me, and I deserve all the pain and suffering that this cruel world has to offer.
She brushes a gentle hand between my horns. “You just rest now. Everything will be okay.”
My teeth dig into my bottom lip as I manage to croak, “I-Ivy, I’m…sorry…”
Her hand freezes. Finally, I brave a glance, and her dewy eyes glisten with tears. They stray down her cheeks, and I want so badly to banishthem from her face. But I don’t deserve to touch her again; I don’t even deserve her kindness.
“Let’s just focus on getting you better.”
I shake my head, trying to rise from the bed, yet my body’s spent. “Take whatever you need. I rescind the contract. The necklace is yours, Ivy, no conditions. You are finally free to leave.”
She places her hand on my shoulder, and her small, sweet smile says it all. Ivy isn’t going anywhere, and something comes over me. It fogs my mind, making my vision swirl.
She has decided to stay. Unconditionally. I really don’t deserve her.
She gasps suddenly, reaching up to fix the bandage around my horn, andhold on. Why is my hornbandaged?Carefully, I lift my hand, and my arm shakes when I feel that warm, wet stump.
My horn.
It’sgone.
Panic wraps its steel fingers around my throat, seizing my breath. It’s like I’ve lost a limb…
For so long, my horns were a burden. They marked me asdifferent, but now that I’ve lost one...I feel like I’ve lost half of myself.
My vision swivels, but then she takes my cheeks in her hands, forcing me to gaze into her eyes. “Tegwyn, look at me.”
Her face undulates, and once again, she resembles a mirage. I focus on her starburst eyes, and they remind me of the blue-green of the Aurorae. Yet the Aurorae could never compare.
“Stay with me, Tegwyn. Everything will be fine, I promise.”
I concentrate on her sweet honeysuckle scent, breathing her in.
“You’ve lost quite a lot of blood. I’ve tried everything to staunch the flow, from yarrow leaves, bandages, scarves, but it’s taking its time to clot.”
Figures.
My magic is pretty much gone. Whatever spark remains is just enough to keep me alive. I swallow, my voice thick when I ask, “Where is it?”
She releases a shuddery breath, and I turn my head. “The broken end of my horn.”
Ivy shuts her eyes. “On… on the table...”
Right where I eat my breakfast.
Shudder.
She continues, her words almost incomprehensible. “I’m sorry. If only I hadn’t tried to…you’d still…”
Anger simmers through my veins, and I sit upright, fixing my blazing eyes on her wilted form. “Don’t you dare blame yourself. The fault ismine,Ivy. I was the prick.”
Yet she’s adamant, covering her face with her hands, and a growl slips from my throat. I won’t have her taking the blame for this.
So, I wrench her hands from her face, gripping her wrists as gently as I can. “Don’t ever let me hear you taking the blame again. You are guiltless, Ivy.”
More tears pour down her cheeks, and I track each movement with my eyes, feeling helpless to stop them. I was never the kind to be a shoulder to cry on. The best I can do is crack a joke.
