Page 31 of The Sweetest Lies
I followed these three strangers to the literal bowels of Hell.
I’m starting to wonder if I should have thought twice about wanting this much adventure in my life.
Eleven
A Punished Pet
I lie curledwith my legs nestled tight against my chest. I breathe in the cold stone flooring, but never for a second do I close my eyes for sleep to take me. The actions I took to get here twirl through my mind like cards drifting in the midnight wind.
I once thought Ravar was the enemy. Now I know he was a savior. Avoiding sex and marriage to the king of Hell was a cake walk compared to the mess I’m in now. And Nyra, she was safe. At home in a life I never realized she didn’t fit into.
We’re more alike than I realized. I just don’t know why it took all of this to see it.
The solid door slides open and then shuts with a dusty sound of dirt scattering about. I don’t move. I don’t turn to look up at my friend-turned-jailor. His boots are soft and timid as he steps closer to me and then slowly lowers down at my side. His head leans into my hair and his warm breath wafts over my skin. The slow press of his palm against my stomach as he drags me close against his chest melts my confused heart.
I can tell by the softness of his touch who it is.
Avian’s a saint in a sinner’s paradise.
"Did you find her?" I finally rasp out.
A pause sinks into the room before he speaks. “No. It’s an hour before dawn. I searched all night, but she isn’t in the castle. Nor the gardens, the forests, or even your pack.”
I blink at that. She’s gone...
Would Creatchin punish her because of me?
The inhale that hits my lungs is weak and wavering, and I don’t realize I’m crying until the tears turn cold against my cheeks.
What the fuck did they do to my sister?!
* * *
No one ties my hands when they walk me out of my little closet of a cell. They don’t bind me in any way, really. Roman slides in at my side while Avian follows at the back, and Zilo leads us down the dark hall lined with doors.
And then Roman slips his hand into mine. The feel of it isn’t comforting like I wish it was. It’s distracting, though.
Because Avian and I... we’re something. More than friends. Lovers. Definitely lovers. And Roman is Avian’s best friend. And yet, neither of them is possessive of me. I need a shoulder to lean on in this moment, and that’s all that seems to matter in their minds.
I don’t understand it, but I’m so fucking thankful for it.
I’m thankful for all three of them. I wish I could tell them that, but my body feels too numb. My jaw is so clenched it hurts, and I can’t imagine what chaos I’m about to walk into.
But I keep walking anyway.
The soft press of our boots along the stone floor is the counting of seconds in my mind.
One, two, three, four...
The stairs I find us climbing pass by in the darkness are as equally numbered. Counted and filed away to never be thought of again. My steps are all my thoughts are aware of for the most part.
Those quiet steps and Roman’s warmth seeping into my chilled skin.
I peer up at him. The line of his nose is the only feature I can make out among the shadows. I try to imagine his calming green eyes. I try so damn hard to think of anything that might bring me solace.
A shaft of light spans through the dense blackness. It slices over us like the sun threatening to burn us alive.
And then Roman looks at me.
