Page 131 of Ashes and Lilies
He made a shushing noise that vibrated against my cheek, and my heart calmed as he spoke. “Princess, it’s all right. You’re safe now. I promise.”
I tangled my grip into the folds of his shirt. The room blurred as tears fell. I’d been trying to ignore the eventual consequences of my actions, but it couldn’t be held back any longer.
“I’m going to jail,” I whispered. Daniel was the police chief’s nephew. There was no way this would go unpunished.
Titus ran his hand down the back of my head. “Why in the world do you think you’re going to jail?”
“I killed people…” Just saying the words caused me to shiver in horror.
Yes, it had been for a good cause, but still. The others were public figures who might have some measure of legal freedom, but my only ace was my fae-ness.
And I wasn’t entirely certain of Miles’s theory yet.
Titus continued to stroke my hair. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” His tone was mild. “I killed them.”
I pushed against his chest, glancing at him. “What are you saying?”
“You fought back, of course,” Titus said, his eyes were serious. “That’s why your fingerprints were on the knife. But I was the one who killed them.”
“But—”
He lowered his forehead to mine as he interrupted me, “I lost control when I went into that room. I destroyed their bodies beyond recognition. That’s nothing more than a slap on the wrist in terms of procedure. They were, after all, criminals. Unfortunately, there is no way for a medical examiner to determine the exact cause of death.”
Why was he lying? But his voice remained steady as he informed me of this.
I sighed and looked away. It didn’t matter. He couldn’t change the truth.
“What’s going to happen now?” I asked. He moved, tucking me against him, as the questions continued to pour from me. “What happened to Finn? What about Matheus and Bryce? How did you find me?”
Of course, I wanted to ask about his mother’s pin. But I wasn’t brave enough.
“I’ll answer once you’re back on your morphine,” Titus responded calmly.
At his words, a frazzled-looking nurse rushed into the room. “I’m so sorry, I’ve only just noticed—”
“It doesn’t matter.” Titus held up a hand. “Just fix it.”
The woman paled but only stood near the foot of the bed and fidgeted.
Finally, Titus’s control snapped, and when he spoke, it was in a new, domineering manner I’d never heard from him before. “What are you waiting for?” he asked. “She’ll be in pain if you don’t hurry.”
“You’re in the way, Mr. Ducharme,” she said quietly. “You need to let her go.”
Titus grumbled under his breath but helped me lie back down, then crossed to the other side of the bed and climbed in beside me.
He took up so much space. But as his solid body pressed into mine, I couldn’t reject the comfort he provided.
The nurse only glanced at Titus before she approached me.
I stopped breathing when she touched me, and my heart raced. I could not look away from her face. I was riveted by her smooth movements.
She was the kindest, most gentle nurse I’d ever known. How did she manage to clean the bleeding and reset the IVs without hurting me? Then there was the way she tenderly checked my shoulder…
I began to sniffle after she left the room and closed the door behind her.
Of course, Titus noticed. “What’s wrong?” he asked. I’d been turned away from him, and he guided me onto my back so he could look at my face. “Did she hurt you?”
“No.” I covered my face with my hands. “It’s stupid.”
