Page 100 of King of Ruin

He tries to sit up and waves me off as I lean forward to help.

“I am amazed by you, Onyx. Of both who you are and how well you’ve overcome the obstacles against you. You know as well as I do that women are made of exteriors like stones and hearts that never stop growing. The will of a bull and wisdom of an oracle. And you are a fine example of that.”

A flurry of emotions swells in my throat, but it’s his final words that release my tears to fall down my cheeks.

“I’m proud of you, and I know for damn certain, with every fiber of my being, that Jada and Dante are as well. You’ve done right by them, Onyx.”

My body moves of its own accord, and I lean forward, wrapping my arms around my uncle, and hugging him until he groans in happy protest. It’s the first time I’ve hugged someone since my parents died, and I hadn’t realized just how much I missed the simple act.

Every muscle in my body relaxes, the chaos in my mind dwindling to calm. “Thank you.”

He pats my back and I pull away, swallowing hard and wiping my face of the residual tears.

“It’s been my pleasure to be here. To be able to say I helped shape such an amazing woman. I mean it.” Antonio shifts, falling back into his pillow. A fit of coughs spew out and he accepts the water I grab from his bedside table with no qualms this time.

After he slowly empties the bottle, he turns to me, a foreign, playful gleam in his eyes wrinkling the skin in the corners. “Now, for a story.”

I arch a brow. “A story?”

He nods stiffly. “Yes. I only get paid visits by that worm of a woman, Cat. So I’d like to hear firsthand what’s been happening.”

A sharp pang echoes in my chest, guilt still present even though we’ve made amends. “Caterina is far from a worm. She looks after you.”

“Let us agree to disagree on that front. But tell me.” He hands me the empty bottle and closes his eyes. “I want to know everything, especially about the man who’s made my niece fall head over heels.”

This gets a laugh out of me. “I’d hardly say I love the man.”

“And here I thought you were past the stages of denial.” He peels his eyes open, a more somber expression now pulling down his features slightly. “I was wrong to tell you that love meant weakness. I was so focused on avenging my brother that I wanted to make sure it was all you thought about too. But, Onyx, from your found family that used to drive me up the wall, to this guard, I’m so glad you still found it within you to care. To love. You are so much stronger than even I gave you credit for.”

I push out a heavy sigh. The combination of emotions he’s evoking from me are fraying any edges I have left intact. So instead of a response, I slide my chair closer, and place a hand on top of his.

His skin is cold, despite the thick duvet covering him, and so frail, I make sure my nails don’t touch him in fear of scratching him. I lay my head on his shoulder and close my eyes.

It’s the only tender moment we’ve had beside the initial news of my parents. But even then, he only wanted me to feel anger. So, I take advantage of this rare moment and rest with him. We sit like this for a long time, and it isn’t until sleep tries to steal me that I finally rise.

“Get some sleep, uncle. I’ll be back to check on you later.”

A grin curls his lips. “I’d like that. Maybe then you can tell me about this guard of yours.”

I chuckle low as I move the chair back in place. “He isn’t my guard anymore. He’s the don of the Murphy family now. Our competition.”

He shrugs. “Or perhaps it’s the dawn of something new. Whatever you decide, I know it will be both what’s best for you, and the Embros family.”

My heart warms as I nod my thanks, but as I bend and pick up the box with Phineas’ head, Antonio sits up straighter, gesturing to it. “What will you do with them? Plant them in the roses?”

I almost start to say yes, but a new idea forms. When I was younger it was never a secret that I didn’t care for the thorny bush. I only ever went in the garden because it was time spent with my mother. After her death, I avoided the white ones, the constant reminder of red dripping from the petal too much for me to bear. Little by little it’s become easier, and now, I think it’s time for the redemption of the flower that taught me why beautiful and delicate things can also draw blood.

“I think I’ll put him down by mom. Plant a new white bush next to her tombstone.”

His eyebrows lift. “White?”

I nod. “Yes.”

“Maybe you can wheel me down there and I could help you?”

We both smile. “I’d really like that, Uncle.”

A sheen crosses his eyes as he closes them. “If you see that old worm, tell her don’t wake me in an hour with breakfast. I think I’ll sleep in today.

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