Hisface twisted as if in pain. “Tori, no matter what else happens in this world,Iwill always respect you.Youdon’t need to prove anything to me.”
“Thentrust me,Abraxas.Pallas… she is hurt, butIknow she would do anything to protectJun.Evenif you cannot trust her, trust that.”
“Itwould be foolish forPallasto so easily turn to our side, butIknow better than anyone that love turns us into the greatest fools on the planet.”Hegave a long sigh. “Youalso see a part of yourself in her, don’t you?”Heknew me well.
“Yes,Ididn’t always know how to fight back for myself.Ihad to learn that.Shecan, too.”
Abraxaswrapped his arm around me gently and placed a kiss on my forehead. “Iwill trust your decision, my love.”Hesighed. “DoIneed to go apologize to her?”
“Thatmay do more harm than good right now.I’vegot to do allIcan torepair this.”
Henodded. “Yes, you’re right, little bird.Iwill await your command.”Thatgrin slid back onto his face, and he released me.ButIgrabbed the collar of his jacket and pulled him close.
“Butyouwillapologize to me,YourMajesty.Onyour knees.”
Hisgrin grew wicked. “Whateveryou command, my goddess.”Hedropped down, burying his face in the folds of my dress.Heinhaled deeply before running his hands up my legs and pulling down my panties.Ilifted my dress as he traced one hand up the back of my thigh, his fingers setting off every nerve as he wrapped his hand around it and draped it over his shoulder.
“I’llmake sure you feel how very, very sorryIam.”
Chapter 46
Pallas
Junsettled me on our bed, the soft surface trying to envelop me.Iwished it would swallow me whole.I’dalways been so weak.IthoughtIhad come so far and claimed something of myself back, but as soon asImet any resistance,Icrumbled.
“Pallas, it’s alright,I’mhere.”Jungently held my hands.
“Butyou won’t always be.”
“What—”“What—”
“Doyou remember whenIwas first teaching you about your magic?Wewere in the gardens, and you were singing so beautifully that a flock of birds came to join us, all singing in harmony with you.Yousmiled so brightly.Eventhough the night before…”Iwouldn’t say it. “Butstill you glowed, your soul beautiful and true.Yousmiled at me and laughed as the birds landed in my hair.EventhoughIwas worthless.”
Jungave me a very concerned look likeIwas mad. “Pallas, you’re not—”
“Iknew then that you were precious.ThatIneed toget you out of that place.Iknew it in the very depths of my heart.Butstill,Istood by and did nothing.
“Yousaved me.YouhelpedTorifree me.”
“No, don’t you see?Itwas you who saved me.”
Hegave me a quizzical look but moved closer, laying his hand on my own.Itwas a gentle encouragement to go on.
“I’mweak.No, don’t say anything.Iknow it’s true.Forfive hundred years,Idid nothing.Isaw others suffer and did nothing.Isaw myself suffer and did nothing.Myown pain.Itwas never enough to make me strong, only enough to break me.ButthenImet you, andIknew…Iknew whatIhad to do.I’msorry it took me so long to help you.Icould have prevented so much of your pain ifIhadn’t been such a coward.”
Tearswere streaming down my face again.Everythingthat happened to him,Icould have stopped.Iwas pathetic, worthless, and weak.
Awarm thumb rubbed across my cheeks, wiping the tears away.Ilooked up from my lap to seeJun’sbeautiful slate-colored eyes shimmering with his own tears.
“Ilove you,Pallas.AndIforgive you.”Thatbroke something inside me.Thewalls of iceI’dkept up for centuries cracked and melted, flowing out of me asIsobbed and wheezed.Tearsand snot pooled on the shoulder ofJun’sfine robes asIpressed my face to him.
“Itwas me.Imade that collar.Itwas my fault, all my fault.”
Hegave me that beautiful, soft smile. “Pallas,Iknew you made it.Whoelse possibly could have?Istill love you.”
“Don’t, please don’t.Pleasehate me.Ican’t stand it.”
Hishand stroked over my hair softly. “Never.Ithink you do that enough for the both of us.Butyou don’t have to.It’stime to forgive yourself.”
