Page 70 of Silverproof Damsel

“I’m so sorry, Rhys.” What else could I say to him? Losing a sibling felt like losing your arm. It felt like a part of you was amputated, leaving you broken and spinning in a downward spiral.

“You just lost a sibling. I’m sure you know it’s never easy.”

“My loss and yours aren’t the same,” I whispered thickly. “Losing Colt was hard, but I have other brothers. I didn’t raise him, either. You’ve all raised her together. I didn’t even see Colt on holiday. You are losing someone you’ve spent centuries with.” Rhys’ eyes softened as he nodded, then stepped forward to press a kiss against my forehead.

“Rest. I’ll send one of the healers back to hook up the fetal monitor. I enjoy hearing the baby’s heartbeat. It’s soothing during this rather dark, terrifying time.” Rising back to his towering height, he stared at me as if he wanted to say more but decided against it. “They’ll be in shortly.”

“No,” I stated hesitantly. “If they’re tending to Nyota, don’t pull them from her. I’d feel better knowing she isn’t in pain.”

“You’re not healed yet, Love. Until you are, the monitors are required.” Aiming a longing look at me, Rhys spun on his heel, then moved to the door, pausing. “Please just let them replacethe monitors without issue. Right now, I need to be able to focus on keeping everyone grounded. My brothers are spiraling with the weight of what is coming.” With that, he was gone.

Sitting up, I wiped the tears away angrily. This wasn’t happening. It wasn’t fair. Nyota hadn’t even begun living yet. She’d been treated like another boy by her brothers. She’d never even dated yet, either. No one brave enough had ever tried to date the only Van Helsing sister.

Nyota deserved a chance to live. She deserved to be rewarded for her loyalty, not merely tossed away because someone here had wanted to frame me for her murder. It wasmysilver that had been used against her. I’d been present for the use of it as well. I was there but couldn’t stop it.

The door opened, and a healer walked in, her eyes rimmed red from crying. I noted the way she moved, sluggish with exhaustion from days of fighting to save Nyota.

“If you’ll lie back, I’ll hook up the monitors, ma’am.”

Nodding, I leaned back on the pillow and rested my arm behind my head. “How is Lady Nyota doing?”

The dark-haired healer sniffled, then bowed her head as she wiped away the tears. “Not well. I don’t think she’ll make it through the night.”

“Where is she?” The healer turned, eyeing me with suspicion. “I only ask because Rhys said she wished to see me. I don’t want to be far from her if she requested me by her side before . . .” Swallowing past the constricting in my throat, I forced out the words. “I want to be sure she gets her last wishes met.”

“She’s in the room beside you, ma’am. Her brothers have gone to change their clothing to ensure they’re in the finest suits to be present in her last hours,” she divulged.

I blinked as she answered my next question without me needing to ask. Studying her sluggish movement, I slid myregard to the door. Slowly, I threw my legs over the edge of the bed, then grabbed her arm, twisting it behind her body.

“Make a sound and I’ll end you. Understand me?” I hissed, uncaring that what I’d thought was a gown wasn’t, in fact, a gown at all. It was a delicate mossy green camisole with matching shorts. As she nodded, I reached past her, grabbing a scalpel from the tray on the counter. “Take me to Nyota. I promise to leave you unharmed if you take me to her. She doesn’t deserve to die like this. Silver poisoning is one of the more painful ways to go. You think it’s bad now, I assure you, it gets much worse. Nyota’s my friend. I won’t let her die like this, not with my silver being the weapon used to kill her.”

“You’re not strong enough to heal her, ma’am.”

“I’m much stronger than I look. No one’s dying.” I wasn’t feeling strong, but I’d be damned if I admitted it aloud.

“Think about the heir you carry. The baby may not survive, either.”

I’d considered it, but if losing Bullet was the price I paid for saving Nyota, then I’d pay it. Losing my child wasn’t something I wanted to do. Far from it. Nyota was alive yet hadn’t lived her life. I couldn’t live knowing I’d chosen my child’s life over hers, not when she’d sacrificed hers to protect us.

She deserved a chance to live her life how she wanted. If it costs me my happiness, so be it. Rhys would hate me, surely. I’d hate myself as well, so I wouldn’t blame him for doing so. Nyota was one of the few people who hadn’t abandoned me in my darkest hour. I’d be damned if I abandoned her in hers.

If Nyota died, it wouldn’t only be her life lost. There’d be a war started over her death. It would be the beginning of the end of our bloodline. Rhys wouldn’t be able to stop the downward spiral of those who blamed us for all that was wrong in the world. If I could stop the war by saving Nyota, then I had to try.

“Iamthinking about my child. Rhys won’t ever forgive himself if he chooses between Nyota or us. His choice will always taint every aspect of our relationship. Whoever used my silver against her has ensured that she would be tortured for eternity. I refuse to let them win. They are trying to turn his family against him while destroying any chance of happiness for him. Fuck that and fuck them for being heartlessly cruel enough to carry it out.” Jerking her toward the door, I felt exactly how weak I was.

“You’ve thought this through, then?” she muttered but wisely moved toward the door. Once there, she opened it and we both peeked out.

I glanced out at the empty corridor, then pushed her and myself outside the doorway. The healer walked only a few feet before we stood silently in front of the room beside mine. Inside the room, Illeron stood beside Nyota, pain contorting his harsh features.

“If you free me, he won’t allow you near her. He’s made it clear that he despises you. Put the scalpel to my throat, ma’am, at least make it look like you’re willing to murder me. He likes me. He’s also under oath to protect me, as are all Van Helsings.” Blinking slowly, I brought the scalpel up, but lifted my thumb, slicing into the pad of it. “That was clumsy. Are you sure you’re up to this?”

Snorting, I made a mental note to work on my villain-era persona. “Just be ready to scream once we are inside the room. Where are the other healers?” I asked in confusion.

“They’re depleted. Her pain’s too great for us to ease anymore.”

“Let’s go before the brothers return.” Swallowing past the uneasiness clawing its way up my throat, I squared my shoulders. The moment the door opened, I pressed my bleeding thumb against her throat, ensuring it looked like her blood instead of mine. “Move and I’ll slit her fucking throat, asshole.”

Chapter Thirty-One

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