Page 90 of Cages and Crowns
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep.” I lift my head off the toilet and use it to help me stand.
“Do you trust me?” His hand catches my elbow as he helps me rise.
“I don’t know you well enough to answer that question.” I reply, pulling out of his grip. I walk to the vanity, leaning against it as I grab my toothbrush and paste.
“Give me your hand.” He slices a dagger across his palm before setting it down on the vanity.
“What are you doing?” I say breathlessly as I search for a towel to cover his wound.
“Give me your hand.” He repeats. I set the brush down and hesitantly place my hand in his, the blood hot against my clammy skin. “I, Nithe Draghena, pledge my life to yours. I will never harm you, nor will I allow another to harm you. I swear this with my life and with the blood of the wyvos running through my veins.” My eyes hold his, my lips parted. I feel a sudden rush of electricity in the room, and I gasp. I rip my hand from his as a purple glow spreads across my palm and up my arm.
“What is this?” Swirls and swirls of purple ink stain my skin. I can make out wings, scales, and stars intertwined within the different twists. “Nithe.” My voice cracks as I look up at him.
“I’ve never had that happen before.” His voice is just ashoarse as mine, his eyes wide. I glance back down at my hand and watch as the ink fades until it’s gone. I can just make out a small shimmering outline of what was there when I turn my arm, but it isn’t visible unless you are looking for it, unless the light catches it just right.
“What did you do?”
“It was an oath, a life oath. I have one with Enzo, but this didn’t happen.” I glance at his hand and see the same shimmering swirls on his, visible on top of the black ink. I reach for it and turn it over, palm up. Stars and wings intertwined with swirls and streaks of lightning reflect on the torch light as if it’s made with glitter. My pulse skips a beat and I drop his hand.
“I don’t…” My voice trails off.
“I will never let harm come to you, little witch. And now I have physical proof of that oath.” He lifts his tattooed hand, brushing hair from my face and tucking it behind my ear. “I promise.” He says again before dropping his hand and exiting the bathing chamber.
I turn back to the vanity, my gaze snagging on the mirror hung on the wall. My face is thin and pale. My eyes truly do look hollow and lifeless. I catch sight of a black line by my temple and lean in. A silent gasp escapes my lips as I realize what it is.
The black line is my vein.
I hesitantly reach up, my tattooed hand causing me to flinch as I press it to the vein. It glows softly and then dissipates.
I return to the bedroom with a clean face and mouth. Nithe is up, sitting on the edge of the bed, staring at his palm as he moves it back and forth in the light.
“Have you ever seen a life oath do this before? I know you said you haven’t had it happen, but has someone else?” I ask, walking up the edge of themattress. My fingers play with a loose thread of the throw, avoiding his gaze.
“No.” His voice is choked, hesitant. He drops his hand and stands. “Get some sleep, I’ll stay up.”
“No, you don’t need—”
“It’s been days, and you haven’t slept, Elaenor. I will make sure that nothing happens.” He gestures towards the bed again and I climb in. I curl my legs up against me, my arm wrapping around my knees as I rest my head on the pillow.
Exhaustion pulls at me, beckoning for me to join it in its dark abyss. Fear pulls at the edge of my mind, warning me of what could happen, but I push the thought away.
I can hear him walk to the window before sitting in the chair by the small dining table. His breathing is even, but every inhale causes my stomach to turn. I open my eyes again to see him staring at me.
“Sleep.” He commands.
“It’s your breathing.”
“What?”
“Your breathing is what keeps me from falling asleep. It sounds like…”
“I’m not Tobias.”
“I know that.” He’s quiet again.
“Try.” I nod and shut my eyes again. Unconsciousness pulls at me and for the first time in forever, I give in willingly.
Chapter Forty-Eight
