Page 180 of The Stars are Dying

My chest ached from the pounding of my heart, the waves of grief and confusion waging a storm in my rib cage. I was so, so tired. I didn’t lift my eyes from the ground even when I felt Nyte’s approach, too exhausted to argue. Or move away.

I gave myself over to his plans for me.

“Starlight.”

He spoke so softly I thought I could close my eyes and pretend to be in the bell tower. Everything I’d witnessed from the moment Drystan imposed would be a horrible nightmare Nyte could soothe me from.

This wasn’t a dream. Gravity was pulling me to the ground, and before it won, an arm went around me.

“I’m sorry for everything. This wasn’t supposed to happen.”

I cast pleading eyes up to him, a vibration skittering over me, and my panic spiked.

“And I hope you’ll believe me when I say I am so sorry for what I have to do.”

“What are you doing?” Zathrian called.

My protest began to rise as I tried to shrug out of Nyte’s hold.

“You knew this would have to happen,” Nyte said to him.

Casting Zath a pleading look over my shoulder, I saw his lips purse as if he understood but it twisted disturbance in him. Rose flared, taking a step toward me that was intercepted by Zath.

“Get the fuck out of my way,” she snarled.

“Can you just relax for one damn moment to hear an explanation?”

“You’re atraitorif you let him take her.”

“Please let me go,” I said.

I hated it.

I hated him for reducing me to a role I’d tried to break free from. The helpless girl from Hektor’s manor.

“I don’t have a choice.”

Damningly familiar shadows began to snake over me, and I whimpered, struggling against Nyte’s hold.

When we stilled it was dark. I dared to look up, and the grim walls of our surroundings made my blood run cold. What would have toppled me if he let go…were the iron bars behind him.

“Let me out,” I breathed.

No. Anything but this. Confinement.

“Let me OUT!” I screamed, not caring about dignity as my fists pounded his chest.

He said nothing. Not at my pleas. Not at my tears.

I couldn’t see through them.

I couldn’t breathe through the lump that swelled in my throat, taunting that the air was limited, and I would die here.

Nyte held me until I exhausted myself, reduced to nothing but a frightened girl who clutched him instead, choosing to accept the warmth as something to ground myself with, as much as I despised it. His hand stroked down the hair over my nape.

“Don’t leave me alone here,” I whispered.

“I won’t.”

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