Page 89 of Reap the Night
My skin was now clean and unmarred.
I’d claimed a mate and saved a life, but my blessing was truly gone.
Chapter 33
HEMLOCK
We leave Ordell for the night. He’ll remain shackled until tomorrow, until after the full moon just to be safe. And we’ll keep him shackled every full moon to prevent the risk of him trying to kill his mate, but I’m certain that he’s safe now, that consummating has put Ordell back in the driver’s seat, but Orina…
Orina is a different story.
I underestimated her feelings for my brother. Underestimated the true goodness in her. The self-sacrifice.
She’s given up a part of herself today, and it shows as an emptiness behind her smile and a dull sheen in her eyes.
She’s lost her blessing, and she’s mourning even though she’s gained a mate.
“How do you think Ezekiel will feel about this?” she asks as we head back to the main castle.
“He’ll understand. He’ll have no choice but to.”
“Do you think it will stop him…” Her voice cracks. “Stop him loving me?”
“If it does, then he’s not the man I thought him to be.” I draw her to a halt. “You care for Ordell, right? I mean…we didn’t force you into being his mate…did we?”
“I care for Ordell a great deal, in fact…I’m a little in love with him, but if I had a choice, I would have preferred to love him without a mate bond. To love him and keep my blessing.” She exhales. “But it’s done. I’m certain I made the right choice. I’ll be fine.”
Guilt rakes its claws across my scalp, but I can’t allow it to gain purchase. My family will always come first.
“Well,” she says as we reach her door, “I’m going to shower. Again. And I think I’ll take somemetime.”
She wants to be alone. I understand that. “I’ll meet you in the safe room at sunset, then?”
She smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “At sunset.”
She slips into her room and closes the door. I should go now, but something holds me in place for long seconds, and then I hear it—the sounds of her heart-breaking sobs. I can’t help but hate us for what we’ve done to this poor soul.
It’sdifficult not to check on Orina during the day. Daisy leaves meals outside her door, but they remain untouched, and I’m beginning to doubt the wisdom of pushing her to help Ordell.
Maybe weshouldhave waited a little longer.
But how long does it take for love to bloom once it’s taken root? I wouldn’t know; I’ve never experienced it.
I made the best choice. Thesafestchoice for us as a family. Saving Ordell is paramount just in case?—
I shut down that train of thought. There’ll be only positivity going forward.
Sunset comes too quickly and yet not fast enough, and I’m the first to the safe room. I linger outside waiting for Orina. Ezekiel will waken soon; in fact, he may already be awake and waiting. I could go in and speak with him, but I owe it to Orina to let her be the first to speak with him.
It won’t make up for what she’s lost, but it’ll be a start.
Her bootfalls echo down the stairs, and then she’s with me, staring up at me fresh-faced and smelling sweet. Her hair is pinned up off her face, tendrils caressing her cheeks, and her eyes are pools filled with sadness and hope in equal measure. Maybe together, Ordell, Ezekiel, and I…Maybe we can tip that balance to hope, leaving sadness in the shadows.
“Are you ready?” I ask her.
“Yeah. I’m ready.”
I open the door and step back to let her pass first.
