Chapter19
They Know (Renna)
Ifall asleep to the rich timbre of Rexxan's deep voice and wake up to the very same.
"Morning, angel," he says, his scorching gaze on me when I open my eyes.
Waking up to Rexxan’s arms and shoulders—what a treat. I should get injured more often.
My breath catches in my throat in agony. My shoulder hurts. Shit, my thigh hurts even more. Note to self; don't get shot and stabbed in one day again.Maybe split them over a few days next time, Ren.
"Stay still. You're hurt," he orders, looking at the cut on my back, letting warm Evergreen magic flow from the tips of his fingers into my skin.
I'd rather not have my love—no,like—interest seeing my wounds but he doesn't seem to care and he's impossible to argue with. As gentle hands roll me over, the peaceful silence is splintered by the sound of the door nearly smashing off its hinges. Onyx stands in the doorway, for once looking freshly showered and rested. He doubles over with sheer relief, his hands on his knees. "Renna. Gods, Ren. I've died a thousand deaths."
"Onyx," I whisper, overcome with emotion all of a sudden. He runs over, wrapping two huge arms around me and it shatters me into pieces. I cry into his chest, heartbroken for him and everything I always put him through. I say I’ll change, but I never do. And I just wish his path never had to cross with mine, because I’ve ruined his life.
"Don’t cry. Please don’t cry. Are you hurt? I'm so fucking sorry, I should’ve been there. I let you down. I was so scared I'd lost you," he chokes out, and it only makes me cry harder because I knew he'd blame himself.
After a couple of minutes, I pull myself together and wipe my eyes on the blanket, sniffing. Onyx looks up at Rexxan as if he'd just realised he was here, and his expression hardens into hatred. "What are you doing here?" He grits out, turning towards him.
"She wanted me here."
"How many fucking times do I have to tell you to stay away from her!" He shouts, his fist flying towards Rex.
Oh my word. Onyx never shouts or turns violent. What have I missed? The King catches my brother’s fist in his palm, stopping it in its tracks.Oh, no.Onyx is strong, but Rexxan could tear him in two. I swear in pain as I leap up to stand between them. "Stop it! Onyx, you're so stressed," I pull him down and press my forehead to his. "I asked him to be here. You need to go and take a walk."
An angry grumble vibrates in his throat, but he heads for the door. "I'll come back in a few hours," he mutters, resentfully. "I love you. You come straight to me if he's bothering you. Straight to me."
Lynna enters just as he leaves and gives him a very slightly flirtatious smile. "Would you like to get some air? I can give you an update on your sister over a walk?"
"O, you should go. It'll do you good," I say, encouraging him. He looks like he wants to go, but gazes at me, and then at Rexxan, mistrust written all over his face.
"Thank you for the offer, Lynna, but I have to decline. I'll be in my room, Renna. If you need anything, you just come and find me or send someone."
I sigh sadly, nodding my agreement as he leaves. I let out a strangled curse. I love him, but he is so draining.
A small smile crosses Rexxan’s beautiful face, his arms folded across his chest. I swear his biceps are the size of my head. He perches on the edge of my bed, careful not to touch me, and I frown as all trace of pleasantness vanishes from his expression. "Renna, there's something you should know."
Oh no, are we having a baby? No, that's not possible. And how would he know that anyway?Calm down, Renna. "What is it?"
"Lynna and I, we know. We know what you are."
My ears ring, my heartbeat drumming in my head. I can see him talking, vaguely mentioning the word sorceress, but I can’t hear his words. His lips move in slow motion. He knows. They know.They know. My heart thuds in my ears. High-pitched alarms pierce my brain.
They know.
You remember, my sweet daughter, if someone knows, you kill them. If lots of people find out, you kill yourself. It'll be less painful for you that way.
"Renna? You're not breathing." I vaguely hear Rexxan trying to bring me back into the present, but he sounds so far away.
Run? Stay? Kill him? Killme? Deny it? Hide? I don't know what to do. This is everything I've spent my life trying to avoid. Is this why Rexxan wants me? To sell me? To possess a jewel so valuable that the other Kings would fall at his feet more than they already do? I scramble to my feet and bolt for the door, my injuries agonising, but he catches me and the reality of my fate crashes down on me. "You'll hurt yourself."
"Let me go!" I scream, pushing him off me.
"I have no interest in capturing, selling, or hurting you. You have to stop running, Renna. You cannot run forever."
"You'll just cage me and sell me," I say, backing away from him. I remember the books I’ve read. I know how the monarchs of this twisted earth treated my forebears. He shakes his head adamantly.
