From Slave To Queen (Athena and Michael) novel Chapter 87

Chapter 87

Chapter 87

I swore I wanted to keep my eyes open, but exhaustion was winning the battle. I only caught fragments of what was happening–Cassian carrying me, being laid on my bed, Evanora’s face hovering above me. I know I managed to say something. After that, everything went dark, and I only woke when I felt movement beside me.

My eyelids weigh a ton, but somehow. I force them open. First, I see long legs crossed at the ankle, boots still on. As my gaze drifts up, I find Cassian’s chest rising and falling with increasingly ragged breaths. His back is propped against the headboard, as if he’d fallen asleep. unintentionally. His eyes dan rapidly beneath closed lids, and the faint gasp tearing from his throat tells me whatever he’s dreaming is tormenting

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It takes every ounce of strength left in me to lift my hand to his face, brushing the jet black strands from his forehead. His lashes flutter, and I hold my breath, expecting him to wake. He doesn’t. Instead, he seems to relax, his breathing steadying. I lower my hand, studying him–the sharp angles of his face, the arch of his brows now smoothed of sension, the full lips that perfectly hide the marks of his nature. My gaze drifts to where my blood has stained his cuffs.

One of his hands rests on the sheets, fingers slightly curled, as if searching for something to hold. Hesitant. I reach out, skimming my fingers over his. He doesn’t stir. 1 lace our hands together. His skin is cool, smooth

I fall asleep like that, too tired to fight it. When sunlight spills into the room again, I open my eyes–and he’s gone. In his place. Drystan sits in a

chair beside the bed.

You’re finally awake” He leans forward. “How do you feel?

I’m too groggy to answer.

“Here” He grabs a glass of water from the nightstand. “You lost a lot of blood. Hydrate.”

I can’t move much, so Drystan helps me sit up, his hand steadying the back of my nock as I drink. When the glass is empty, he adjusts my

satisfied

“Evanora’s itching to see you, but I wanted to talk first–about last night”

I glance at the door, half–expecting to see Evanora glaring through it, impatient. I’m sure Drystan’s the reason she hasn’t barged in yet

“Where’s Cassian

y pillows,

Shadows flicker across his face. He blinks once, as if to erase them, forcing a smile. “Dealing with what happened. That’s why I need you to tell me everything.”

I remember most of it–that’s the problem. Including what happened befored was taken. My checks burn at the memory.

Twas in the hall of mirrors when the scarred man stepped out of one.” I swallow hard. “From what he said, he’d been waiting. He grabbed me when I was alone. I fought–uselessly. He dragged me through the mirror.”

Drystan nods. “Did he say why he wanted you?”

“Wasn’t I just hair?” I counter. “He might’ve mentioned someone else wanting me. Or maybe I imagined it

His lips thin. Silence stretches.

“Why did he cut your throat!”

I close my eyes, my fingers instinctively finding the wound–now healed, but marked by three raised lines A whimper escapes me. I’m scarred.

“I fought hark.” My voice is raw with something I can’t name. “I kicked free, but he grabbed my shoulder, spun me around. He looked at me like- like something twisted inside him. Then he struck. I didn’t even realize the warmth soaking my hands was blood until I passed out. When I woke, I was in that creature’s arims, facing Cassian.”

Drystan’s hand covers mine, pulling it from my throat–where I’ve started scratching without realizing.

“That’s enough” |

” His eyes soften with something close to affection. “You’re exhausted. I’ll let Evanora in

I nod, suddenly wordless. He stands, the chair creaking in relief. At the door, he paises

“Rest for a few days. Let us know if you need anything”

Then he’s gone, leaving the door ajar. Evanora sweeps in immediately, fussing over me, chattering about her latest squabliles with Drystar. 1 pretend to listen, but my mind is far away, fixated on one thing:

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Chapter 87

Drystan never said Cassian would visit.

A day and a half in bed, regaining my strengths–and not once has Cassian appeared. I tell myself I don’t care, but I do. It feels like bring a discarded toy, tossed aside after the novelty wore of. Cassian confuses me, and I’m tired of it. He can’t touch me the way he did, whisper those words, then act like it never happened. He makes me feel the way I did before coming here–invisible. And I hate it.

“What’s with the frown?” Evanora lowers her book.

I stifle a sigh. “Nothing. Can you help me to the bathroom! 1 feel disgusting”

She nods, sliding an arm behind me for support. The blood loss will leaves me dizzy when I move too fast. We shuffle to the bathroom, where i brace myself against the counter.

My reflection stops me cold.

Pink scars stripe my throat. I trace them, wincing–they ache like fresh wounds. Evanora watches me, understanding in her gize. No one knows scars better than her.

I’ve been staring too long. A steaming bath waits, no doubt her magic at work. She helps me undress, and I sink into the water with a groan

It’s not too late to make them disappear, she offers.

I look up. “Why didn’t you remove yours?”

Silence. Then, softly: “Mine weren’t from one moment. They kept cutting my lips open, witching them shut again, making the boles worse each time. By the time I was free, I was too weak to heal myself. And when I finally could it was too late Her albino serpent slithers from her hair, nuzzling her cheek as if to comfort her. “I kept them. At least this way, no one would call me pretty enough to torment”

“You’re beautiful, Evanora. If you saw yourself through my eyes, you’d know you shine like the moon”

“The moon only shines because it reflects the sun.

“I don’t care why it shines. It’s just as beautiful. How many songs praise the sun? A few. But artists worship the moon–its craters, its scars. No one call it broken” I smile. “So why would your”

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