Page 102 of Unkindness of Crimson Ravens
I savored every drop that spilled into my mouth until his legs gave out, his limp body dropped on the ground.
The silent scream painted his face as his empty, lifeless eyes watched the first rays of sunlight appear from the horizon.
The blood still flowed from his neck, painting the snow around his dead body crimson.
I killed a man.
My paralyzed body dropped to my knees beside the body.
I killed a man.
My skirt absorbed the crimson snow.
I killed a man.
Francis’ hands wrapped around my waist, pulling me into his arms. “It’s all right. You're all right. It’s over, Princess,” his whisper broke through the wall in my mind.
I killed a man.
Francis wiped the blood from my lips with his thumb, gently stroking my cheek. “Although I am upset you deprived me of the ability to make his death slow and miserable, I am glad he will never take another breath.”
“I killed a man.”
“It’s over.” Francis held me against his chest in a tight embrace. I counted every beat of his heart, staring straight past him: at Timothy’s dead body in a pool of blood.
Chapter 39
Liar
Happiness.
Despite all of the troubles and danger that awaited us, I felt happiness.
What a fragile state, that grew wings onto our backs. Wings that could disappear any moment, yet we still trusted them to carry us far, far away.
The scenario I feared most brought a forbidden relief to my aching heart. I had killed a man—a human being—yet all I had felt was happiness.
Sandra would never fear his touch again. I would never see his shadows in the dark corners of my room. He was gone and only Moon knew the fate of his soul—if he even had one.
“Aren’t you handsome?” Florence chuckled when Silver rubbed himself against her leg.
She stood at the open door of my room, watching me arrange my hair for the ball.
We had barely any time to rest after our trip back home before the residents of Faris would have arrived at our doorsteps.
