Page 122 of Faeling
“I didn’t want their deaths,” she said through bared teeth. “I wanted them to live.”
“I’m sure, love. Such a choice wouldn’t have been easy. But you mattered enough to them for it to be worth the sacrifice.”
“But I’m not,” she whispered, breaking his heart. “I’mnot.”
“Youare,” he growled, voice gruffer than he meant it to be. “You are worth every sacrifice. I would give my life for yours, love. Happily.”
It was the wrong thing to say.
Her eyes grew wild. A horrified gasp split her mouth wide, and she turned to clutch at his forearms, her nails digging into his skin.
“Youwon’t. Promise me you won’t!”
Her demand scored his soul, ripping across his very being like the sharpest of claws. He couldn’t promise her that, for it went against everything he was, everything he felt for her.
“Vallek—”
“I can’t promise you, for I know it to be true. I would die for you, sprite. It would be my honor.”
A wail escaped her lips, a wordless sound of anguish that pierced his heart and resolve. Tears streamed down her face, and when her arms slumped to hang limply at her sides, Vallek put aside his stubbornness.
There was no need to argue.
He didn’t need to die for her tonight. He’d much rather live for her—and give her what comfort he could.
When he stepped closer to take her into his arms, she threw herself against his chest. Burying her face between his pectorals, her sobs came hard and merciless, wracking her small frame. Vallek wrapped his arms around her, his soul finding a little peace to have her where she belonged, even as she wetted his skin with her tears.
He didn’t know what was wrong, but he stood in silence anyway, purring a soothing cadence.
Her cries were broken only by sobs of, “You can’t, you can’t.” Vallek held his tongue, not wishing to upset her more.
Sheltering her from the wind, he nuzzled her hair as he purred. Vallek held her for long moments, willing her to take his strength, his assurance. Anything at all she needed, he would give. She had but to ask.
“I love you, sprite,” he murmured at her temple. “That is why I would lay down my life for yours. Your parents loved you, too, I’m sure. You are alive and well, and so you cannot have failed them.”
“I saw you—” she choked on a sob “—Isaw you—in chains.”
His blood ran cold at her garbled words, be he didn’t dare let on, didn’t let his purr grow into a growl nor immediately deny that he, Vallek Far-Sight, would never be held in irons.
Somehow, he held her even tighter. Gods, were some of these tears for him?
He wouldn’t allow it.
“In your vision, was I dead?”
“N-no…”
“Then don’t waste your tears on me, love. No chains can hold me.”
It was too much to hope that his confidence and poor attempt at humor would dry her tears, of course. Still, he grimaced when her sobs redoubled, shaking her body more than his purrs shook his.
“I can’t bear it,” she whispered. “I can’t let you die for me, too.”
Her words pricked his confidence, and Vallek again put it aside. She didn’t need that now but his assurances, his gentleness.
“I’m hard to kill,” he promised, “and I’ve far too much to live for. A kingdom to oversee. A mate to keep out of mischief.”
She sniffled against his chest, a far better sound than a sob. Cradling the back of her head in his hand, keeping her secure to him, he rocked them gently.
