Page 126 of Her Dark Promise

I couldn’t tell if I was thankful that she had given up or terrified that I succeeded. When the worry fully reached me, I asked Callum what she had been preoccupying herself with. He had told me that she locked herself in her room and refused to come out. I knew then that I needed to go check on her. My plan to push them all away wasn’t working.

I sat up in bed to find Callum and Bastian sitting on the couch, talking about something I had no interest in. I found that the pain in my side was still prevalent, but I wasn’t doubling over in agony with every breath. Though I would have healed much faster if it wasn’t for Bastian keeping to his word and injuring me every night.

I pushed the blankets off of me and stood, the pain strong enough that I groaned as my feet hit the ground. I rolled my eyes, knowing they were seconds away from rushing to me.

I opened my eyes, and sure enough, Callum was in front of me. “Your grace, do you need help using the washroom?”

“No! I don’t remember the last time my feet touched the ground.” I could see Callum moving to lift me, and I warned, “Little bird, if you so much as try to help me in any way, I will refuse to fuck you for the rest of your life.”

I could see the color drain from his face; he knew I meant every word. I was bluffing, but he didn’t need to know that.

“We are only trying to help you heal,” Bastian said, clearly irritated.

“Again…I didn’t ask.”

“You know, you would get your strength back sooner if you would eat something,” Bastian prodded.

“I would get my strength back if you would stop slicing my arm open with that blade,” I snapped.

Callum pleaded, “Please just eat a little bit more.” “Please,” Callum pleaded, “just eat a little bit more.”

“I do eat. If I didn’t, then I would already be dead.”

“You eat one bite a day and only because Callum holds your mouth open as I feed you,” Bastian chided. “You’re acting like a child.”

“Shut up!” I put my hands up, tired of this entire conversation. I was already exhausted and ready to go back to sleep, but I couldn’t. I took a step forward and swayed. My body was weak from not being used, and hands grabbed onto me.

I growled, and Bastian growled back.

“I need to see Emilia,” I announced.

Callum straightened. “Let me go and get her, your grace. You are in no position to move about.”

“I am going to her, and you will not stop me.”

Bastian stepped in front of me. “Fine. You can go, but let one of us carry you.”

“No.”

He held out his arm. “Then lean on me as you walk.”

“No.” I was adamant about walking over there on my own and I was sure as hell not going to lean on him.

He seemed to understand this and stepped to the side, sweeping his hand in front of him. “Fine.”

I held my head up high and continued toward the door. It was a little difficult, but not as painful as I thought it would be. And it felt nice to stretch my limbs and walk on my own. I made it past the door before I saw two shadows overtaking my frame. I turned to find both Callum and Bastian a few feet behind me.

“What do you think you are doing?”

“I made a vow that you would never leave my sight again,” Bastian stated matter of factly.

I had hoped he would grow bored, but his resolve had only strengthened. Was this what my life would be? I huffed, making sure they saw the annoyance on my face before turning back around. I made my way down the hall and around the corner to Emilia’s chambers.

I was thankful that she was in a room not terribly far from mine. Her door loomed in the distance, and I could feel my strides slowing.

What’s wrong? Afraid that she will leave just like the rest of them?

Yes. Knowing that there would be no use in lying to her. She already knew everything, and I was tired of lying to myself.

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