“Vallie, I…” I didn’t know what to say. Nothing could change what happened.
Peter took a tentative step toward me, positioning himself infront of her. His eyes were soft as he looked at me. “I think you should leave, Scottie.”
I nodded, twisting on my heel and ran out of the tent, not wanting to break down in front of Vallie. I didn’t want to add a layer of guilt on top of everything else she was feeling, because for her to say that, to admit that she felt that way about me, probably took everything left out of her.
I made my way back to Tezya’s tent. He was already waiting for me, standing as soon as I pushed the flaps open. He scanned my face, was by my side in one long stride, and pulled me into a tight hug.
“I’m sorry,” he said. I didn’t know if he already knew everything that just happened through our bond or if he just guessed it by my face.
“She hates me,” I sobbed.
Shh.His soothing tone cooed into my mind as he patted my hair, his fingers lightly curling over my ear.It’s alright. It’s going to be alright. She just needs time to grieve and process everything. She’s been through a lot. You both have.
I knew he was just trying to comfort me, telling me what I wanted to hear. Because Vallie would never forget what was done to her and Miles…
And I didn’t think any amount of time would ever be enough for her to forgive me for it.
FORTY-EIGHT
SIE
I hadn’t leftGreyland’s side since they brought him back. Peter stayed with me long enough to tell me what happened before he went to check on Vallie.
I didn’t mind. I wanted to be alone.
Greyland was unconscious when they found him in the King’s room, and he hasn’t woken up since.
He looked so much worse than he had been at the broadcast—and it already killed me to see how badly he was beaten then. I curled my fists, hating myself. Peter was right, I should have gotten them out sooner. I shouldn’t have waited until we had a clear plan. The abuse he went through after the airing—
I’d spent every damn minute pleading with the Goddesses to not take my little brother.
Peter told me the King had over a dozen guards watching them, and that Greyland would have died if our mother hadn’t jumped in front of the blade.
I tried not to think about it. Both of my parents were now dead, and the only family I had left—the only one I ever truly cared about—was fighting for his life.
I looked down at Greyland lying on the cot in front of me. Hewasn’t dressed—it was easier for the healers to mend his injuries without constantly having to remove his clothes—but he had a thin blanket pulled up to his chest.
After his initial inspection, I was told he had at least five broken ribs, a fractured leg, three stab wounds through his stomach, and nearly every inch of him was covered in bruises. During his second inspection, they found even more damage.
It was all my fault. I should have protected him more, should have been more adamant and sent him away before my coronation. I knew Synder was going to try something, and I never should have let Greyland come.
I had no idea what happened to him, no way of knowing when they captured him and my mother, but I knew they were both coming to Palm the night I was imprisoned. And judging from his weight, my best guess was that it was then.
He was starved—for weeks, maybe months. I was losing my sense of how much time had passed since everything happened.
I had to constantly remind myself Greyland wasn’t a little kid anymore. He was nearly as tall as me and almost as muscular. But looking at him now, I couldn’t help but think just how fragile he was.
Greyland coughed, then sucked down a wince as he placed a hand over his ribs.
I stood, jumping to my feet faster than my teleportation could have taken me. It had only been a couple of hours since we were back, and the healers had no idea when he’d wake up…
“You’re awake,” I breathed.
I watched as Greyland’s one eye blinked open. His other eye was so swollen and bloody, I couldn’t tell if he still had it.
“Sie.” His voice was husky, and his breathing instantly turned ragged as he tried to inhale through his ribs.
“Shh.” I bent down, cupping his hand. “It’s okay, Grey, you’re safe.”
