Chapter 80 Darkness
632words
"You should have left me," I said.
"If you died, he would have died," Ember answered. "Besides, even if not for that, we wouldn't have left you, regardless."
"Oh." I already forgot what Hector had said only moments ago. There was so much happening. "This bond thing, it's permanent?"
Ember nodded. She said something, but a ringing in my ears started, and my vision blurred.
"No. No. No!" Ember cried out as darkness engulfed me…
***
The first thing I felt was something wet licking my forehead. My eyes flew open to see a balled-up washcloth hovering in front of my face.
"About time you wake up." Adriane's smile bore warmth. "And before you worry, I told your mother you and Ember were having too much fun and decided to have a girl's night. I'm not sure how I'm going to explain the bruises, though."
I blinked a few times, trying to process where I was. Or, more importantly, who I was, and what had happened. "Kayn?" was the first thing I managed.
"You're alive, aren't you?"
"Oh." There's that.
"He's still recovering, but nothing a good rest wouldn't fix."
"Where is he?" I asked, sitting up. To my surprise, I felt fine, except a little bit stiff as if I slept in an awkward position. I lifted my arms, noting a few purplish bruises. Then, I spotted the loose, large shirt I was wearing and tiny shorts. I flushed. "Where's my dress?"
"It was wet and torn up. I couldn't leave you in that thing," Ariane answered. She placed the washcloth into a metal bowl of water. "Ember figured you would be more comfortable in that."
Ember wasn't wrong.
"I promise it was just me," Adriane added, laughing as if she knew what I was thinking.
I accepted it as the truth. "Thank you. For everything."
She reached out and wiped a strand of hair from my face, smiling. "It's the least I could do. Hector told me what you did."
"I know he's...evil. But it felt so wrong," I swallowed.
Adriane sighed, sitting down beside me on the bed. "I'd worry if you didn't feel guilty. You have a good heart, Carly, and it gives me peace knowing that. Ember and Kayn couldn't have made a better human friend than you."
I nodded, staring down at my hands. "Do you think if Graves knew, anyone else might know?"
"There's a possibility," Adriane said. "But if you're all smart about it, the chances are quite small."
I looked at her. "How are you so okay with this? I'm a threat to your children."
"I trust their judgement." She offered me a gentle smile. "Even if Kayn can be stubborn at times."
"Most times," I added.
Ariane tilted her head back and laughed. "All the time."
I laughed with her, but it subsided within a matter of a few heartbeats. "We should keep our distance from each other. Not only for them but for our families. If we didn't get away…"
"But you did get away." Adriane shifted. It was clear the thought made her uncomfortable. "Maybe you are right, but my kids love you, and if you think they'll stay away from you, you're wrong."
"The merfolk laws are stupid."
"I won't argue that," she agreed. "I wish I had some grand wisdom to bestow on you, some life-changing advice, but I don't. All I know is that you care about Ember and Kayn, as they do care about you. I'm here if you ever need me. Anytime."
I could tell she meant it. I nodded, offering a weak smile. "Thank you, it means a lot."
