Chapter 178
Chapter 178
RHEA
Most of the ride, it’s quiet. I fill Kovas in with what happened while leaving some details out, and then for the remainder of the time, I’m just watching the trees as they flash by me and registering Deras‘ words.
I don’t think they’ll let go. I don’t think I’m safe. All they need to do is wake that body, and then everything will be over. Or burn that body and then kill
- me.
They know what’s inside me.
If they wake her…
If she breathes again…
What happens to me? Will I just cease to exist? Or will I be trapped inside that room, inside myself, while she takes control over me again?
I can’t let that happen. I can’t. I’ve to find a way to get rid of that body. Get rid of her, so she can’t come back in any way or form.
I can’t burn it without risking my only one life that I have. But perhaps I can bury her. Somewhere the council can’t find, can’t reach. Somewhere far in the North. I’ll take it with me, and I’ll bury that body so no one can find it, no one can wake her.
No one.
But Aron? He won’t agree. He’ll never agree to burying her body anywhere.
And if he even catches a glimpse of the knowledge that Deras gave me, he’ll use it, he’ll wake her somehow. Because she is the woman that he truly wants. I’m only a shell of her.
I can try to be like her, but my mask is already stripping. I’m not her. I’m not warm, I’m not gentle. I’m not even nice.
And it’s going to be a matter of time before Aron sees it.
I have to, somehow, convince Aron to let me take her and put her six feet under the ground.
“Earth to Rhea, you in there?”
I hear Kovas‘ voice. When my gaze lifts, I find him glancing at me and taking his eyes off the road.
“Yes,” I rub my forehead once and sit up straight. “Sorry. I just spaced out.”
“Looked like that.”
“I’m just–tired.”
“You need some rest. And a good meal.”
“That I do,” My chest rises and drops as I sigh. “There was this thing, last night, when I went to the border after that phone call.”
“Mm?” He motions for me to continue.
“After I killed a few of their warriors, someone shot these little things into my back, they pierced through my spine, and it stopped me in my tracks. They weren’t bullets, that’s for sure. But it was something.”
“Must’ve been small doses of silver.”
“Yeah, I assumed that. It hurt like hell. But whoever did it had some good aim because I was on the ver
of killing the Head of the Council.” I pause for a
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Chapter 178
moment and watch his expression. It’s calm, nothing too surprising, nothing that he hasn’t seen before. “Oh, you must think I’m crazy
“You’re not the first one who wants him dead, and you certainly won’t be the last,” Ite shrugs. “There was a point where even I wanted to kit hati, loa. – He gives me a smile, and it drags a laugh out of me.
“Thanks for coming to get me.”
“It’s nothing.” he waves a hand. “We were already there, waiting. And it’s a good thing you called, or we would’ve had a massacre at the borders with those council wolves.”
I’m not even going to disagree because that would be the truth.
The car comes to a stop, and the moment it does, I rush right out and wrap my arms around Aron. His arms lift and wrap around me.
“You sure you’re not hurt?” He questions, running his hands over me. “They didn’t”
“No. I’m fine,” I lean back, away from him, and he stares down at me, those grey eyes, as dark and dangerous as ever. “Just fired”
“Well, at least now I’ll know that you won’t be running out at midnight. Or anytime soon,” His hands tighten around me. “Though I suppose restraining you is an option that I should explore if it keeps you here.”
I smile and shake my head, “I will be more careful. I know better now. There’s no need for those.”
“You say that now.”
His fingers press into the small of my back before he leans forward to press his lips against my forehead. I let out a breath at that contact.
I don’t want to lose this, and I certainly can’t let go of this anymore. I want this to be permanent. I don’t care if I’m a shell, or a shadow, or a monster, but this man loves me.
And I don’t want to give up that.
“Come on. I’ll run a bath for you. And we’ll talk when you’re comfortable.” He murmurs softly, pulling me inside and upstairs to his room.
I nod and let him lead the way. I do want to shower and wash the Council’s hands and eyes off my skin.
He leaves the door open for me while he fills the bathtub. My clothes are easy to shed, I just leave them in a pile and then get inside the tub.
“Better?” Aron questions, kneeling on his knees by the side of the tub.
“A little,” I answer, leaning against the edge and looking at him, “I’m sorry that I left. I shouldn’t have.”
His fingers lift and brush away a strand of hair from my face. “It’s done now. And you’re back, which is all I care about. But next time, I’m not going to wait.”
My lips tug in a smile as I lean into his touch.
“There’s something else,” I murmur. “The council head told me about a man who bore the same curse. That he had lost control and turned mad, and the council couldn’t execute him, no matter how many times he died.”
Aron’s eyes narrow slightly. I can see the questions forming already.
1 sink deeper into the water, letting the warmth spread over my arms and throat.
“And then what?”
“And then,” I pause, choosing my words carefully. “Nothing. They don’t know where he is, or what happened. It happened a very long time ago. But the council head did say that the way to end him was to burn his original body. That would only bring death upon him.” A lie. “I was thinking of perhaps burying her somewhere far away. It’s not safe that she is here.”
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