Page 123 of Between Wrath and Mercy

“Then I won’t have an heir.” He shrugged. “Maybe Lavenia will have a child one day, and it can be my heir. It’s not worth worrying about.”

“Not just an heir, Rain. A child. Don’t you want children?”

“Yes, and I will treat Elora as if she is my own.” A surge of affection raced through me, but my panic countered it.

“I appreciate that more than you can understand, but you know it's not the same thing.”

“It doesn't matter.”

“But it does!”

“You’ve said yourself that I keep proving to you how I feel, over and over again. Must I prove it to you again?It does not matter.I would be overjoyed if you blessed me with a child, do not mistake my words. But I will not give you up for anything, even that.” He glanced over at the candle on the counter, noticing how long we’d been in the bath. “I hope I don’t have to spend the rest of our lives convincing you, but I will if I have to. I will tell you every single day how I feel. I do not need a child from you to love you. All I need is you. I will kiss every stretch mark, every freckle, every single part of your body. I will suffer through watching your exquisite ass jiggle because of how much I love you. It is a price I am willing to pay.” He grinned, mischief in his eyes as he stood, easily sitting me on the edge of the tub before wrapping a towel around me. “But now, it’s time to sleep. I suspect you’ll sleep most of the day to regain your strength, and I need to go to the Myriad.” He toweled off, heading toward the closet, and I watched his firm ass as he went.

“For a task?” He walked back out, carrying my hairbrush and a nightgown I’d never seen, and he was no longer naked.

“Yes. I anticipate it being simple, but I’m quite pressed to get it done quickly. I have a beautiful, stubborn, and passionate woman waiting for me.” He pulled the gown over my head before turning his attention to my hair.

“I can brush my hair—my arms aren't broken.”

“No, but they were probably next, and I like taking care of you.”

While he worked out my tangles, bad from days in the cell and lying in bed, I told him what happened with Keeva, and it brought him some joy to know the hair she was apparently vain about was part of her downfall. He told me how he had Mairin compel him so he could break my leg. Dewalt had taken a look at the bone sticking out, already joined together at an odd angle, and promptly vomited, thankfully hitting the floor and not me. Rain was afraid he wouldn’t be able to do it, so he asked her to force him and compel him to forget doing it—he didn’t want to think about it later. I felt guilty for what I put everyone through.

“I’m sorry for getting thrown in the dungeon. I shouldn’t have done what I did.”

“No, you shouldn’t have, but I don’t blame you. I honestly can’t believe him. His cruelty has only increased since I saw him last. When he told me Keeva was on her way to visit you, I thought I was going to kill him right there, but I didn’t have the time.” Rain helped me to bed and lay facing me while he told me more. “The rest of your clothes showed up while you were in the dungeons, and yesterday I nearly lost my gods damn mind thinking about how close you came to never wearing them. Fuck.”

He wrapped me in his arms, nestling his head in the crook of my neck. He needed my comfort, needed to know I was alright, and I did everything I could to make him feel my love, stroking his upper back and neck until he fell asleep.

Chapter 39

Isleptthroughtheentire next day, only waking up when the sun was setting. The smell of something delicious cooking roused me; I was ravenously hungry. When I opened my eyes, I scanned the room for Rain and was disappointed he wasn’t back yet. My thigh still looked angry, but it wasn’t warm, only hurting when I touched it. My shin was much better, but both injuries were rather itchy. I laid there for a short while, focusing on my bones mending stronger and my wounds healing. I was scared to put weight on them without Rain there to support me, but my hunger won out, and I slid off the bed, carefully trying one leg and then the other. I felt much sturdier than the night before, but I didn’t want to overdo it.

After a few moments in the closet, mouth agape as I stared at my new wardrobe, I selected the softest things I could find—a fleece sweater dyed a faint lavender and sleep pants similar to the ones Rain wore in Brambleton. I was especially grateful for the way the smooth fabric caressed my tender skin, not constricting or agitating my wounds in any way. Since the hairbrush from last night was nowhere to be found, I ran my fingers through my waves before heading out to quiet my angry stomach, not bothering with shoes.

Mairin and Dewalt were seated at the dining table, and they looked up in surprise when I walked in. Giving each of them a kiss to the temple, I thanked them for their efforts, ignoring how strange it was to see two distinct people from two very different parts of my life keep company with each other so comfortably.

“I tried to warn everyone.” Dewalt read a book as he ate, slurping up noodles as he flipped each page. I smiled softly and nodded.

“You did. Thank you for trying to protect me, D.” He waved a dismissive hand while he continued to read, never looking up from his book. “Dewalt, I mean it. Thank you. You were right.”

“Don’t thank me. We should have placed a guard at your cell. Hell, I should have stayed with you while Rainier bartered for your release. I should’ve known better.”

“Stop. You did more than I could ever ask for. Thank you.” He lifted his head, seemingly accepting my sincerity with a grim nod before returning to his book.

“Do you know when Rain will be back?”

“No. But he did ask me to inform you that Shivani and the Myriad have set the ceremony for three days from now. Two days later, we leave for the Cascade.” I was surprised. Between the illusion of Soren’s renewed illness and whatever the king broke in Shivani, Rain’s status apparently became an object of worry for the Myriad. I would have expected a much bigger fight from them—some claim against our divinity’s compatibility, perhaps, since I was so weak, and he was so strong—but to cooperate with apparent ease? Dewalt set down his book, leaning back in his chair to study me. Sometimes when he stared at me like that, I felt deeply unsettled, like it wasn’t me he was looking at. I knew it was difficult for him to have me here. I knew he was happy for his friend, but I was sure seeing what we’d turned into was hard for him. Lucia and I shared the same face, same eyes. Though our hair and personalities were different, I could imagine it wouldn’t be easy for him. Mairin dismissed herself to go to the palace and check on Lavenia, and I found myself feeling awkward, focusing on the food in front of me while still keenly aware of Dewalt’s presence.

“It’s been a whirlwind, hasn’t it?” His voice was quiet as he picked his fork back up, wrapping the noodles in it.

“It almost doesn’t feel real,” I agreed. It was hard to believe I’d ridden into Ravemont less than three weeks ago.

“You’re still sure, though, right? After Keeva? It’s not going to get less dangerous, Emma.”

“I know. Ididjust kill one of the Nine.” I cringed, suppressing a shudder. “Is that common knowledge yet?” I swore the look he gave me was one of pride before he answered.

“We’ve managed to stifle it for now, but when she doesn’t show up back in Kieza in a few weeks, there will be questions.”

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