Right now, I just have to make sure Seven makes it through the night.
With the last of my strength, I leave to retrieve a rag and some warm water, sitting at Seven’s side and tending his wounds as best I can, given the circumstances. Once he’s somewhat clean, I leave to grab a few blankets from Seven’s bedroom, spreading them out on the un-bloodied part of the floor next to Seven. I wish I could move him away from that disgusting puddle, but I know I lack the strength to do it.
I stay with him all night and into the morning, holding his hand and counting the space between his breaths, terrified they’ll stop altogether.
Some unknown amount of time later, Seven begins to stir. His eyes crack open, but his vision is unfocused, and when he opens his mouth to speak, no sound comes out. He tries to reach out to my face, but his arm falls halfway, too exhausted to make it the last few inches.
“It’s okay.” I rub my palm over his heated forehead. “I’m here.”
He shakes his head as real, genuine tears well up in his eyes. “Not forever…”
“Shh. Don’t think about that. Just rest.”
He turns his head, looking into my soul with those deep bloodred eyes. He sounds so tortured, so heartbroken, it makes my chest ache.
“I wish you wanted to stay with me. I wish… I wish… you could see past the monster.” His lips tip in a sad smile, and my heart cracks in two. “It was stupid to hope. Wasn’t it?”
I never get to respond because in the next moment, Seven’s eyes close, and he falls into another deep sleep.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
SEVEN
2 weeks later…
I wake up several times over the course of the next few weeks, but I’m never conscious for more than a few moments. Through the fog of my fever, I swear I see Grace leaning over me, her hand on my forehead and eyes full of worry—but I know that’s not the truth.
Grace is long gone. I gave her the key to her freedom, and I have no doubt she took it.
Any visions of Grace I might be having are just that—vivid, horribly pleasant hallucinations.
Still, it’s nice to dream…
A few days later, I open my eyes, and my fever is gone. I blink several times, attempting to raise my head, but for some reason, my muscles won’t cooperate. Gritting my teeth, I curl my fingers, pleased that some part of my body is still working.
I stare up at the ceiling, becoming increasingly aware of a burning pain in my thigh. Still, it’s nothing compared to the agony in his heart.
“Grace…” My voice comes out a croaked whisper, and to my horror, a tear slides out of the corner of my eye.God, look what she’s done to me. I’m putty for her.
And she’s gone. Gone, just like I knew deep down she would be?—
“Seven? Are you awake?”
Pleasure ripples through my body as her sweet, intoxicating voice flits across the room. My chest brims with hope as footsteps sound out, moving closer to me.
With all the strength I can muster, I turn my head to the side, and my heart nearly explodes at the sight of Grace standing at the side of my bed.
“Hey.” The corner of her mouth tips in a tiny smile. “I’m glad you’re awake.”
I don’t understand. She was supposed to be gone. She was supposed to leave me to die, to flee as far from this place as her wings would take her.
Yet here she is, standing in front of me with a smile and a syringe.
Wait…“Syrringe—what’s it for?” I croak, attempting yet again to sit up in bed.
“Something for the pain.” Her mouth pinches in sympathy. “I was holding off on giving it to you—I didn’t know how much was safe. But now that you’re awake, you can tell me how much. Assuming you know, that is.”
I slowly reach out an arm, pointing at a line on the syringe. “That much. I should still be lucid with that.”
