Page 54 of Dark Goodbye

Such a simple word, a simple question, and yet, I cannot seem to find an answer. Is it really as easy as what Mogen said? Was my little omega pining for me, and I was unable to give her what she needed?

“M-master Davix?”

Mogen’s soft voice pierces my brain, bringing me back to reality. Standing, I turn, about to address her, when two Guardian Alphas storm into the room. They shove past Mogen, sending a shaft of unholy rage through my body.

“What is the meaning of this intrusion? I demand-.”

“You will demand nothing, Healer Alpha,” the Guardian on the right growls out. “You are hereby charged with the murder of Healer Alpha Malus and are hereby ordered to stand and face judgment.”

Their hands wrap around my arms in an iron grip. Though I can fight them, I don’t want any more destruction brought against this household. Shaking my head, I allow them to lead me away, however, the sound of songbirds catches my ear.

Turning, I look over at the window, noticing for the first time that it hangs wide open. For a moment, I thought the guards took Ladria away somehow, clung onto that lie to ease the pain in my heart. But now, I know the truth. My mate ran from me. She chose to leave the safety I provided her, forcing me to pick up the pieces.

CHAPTER 24

Ladria

Plink. Plink. Plink. The maddening sound peppers my brain, driving out any thought other than to make it stop. Plink. Plink. Plink. It’s a sound I thought I’d never hear again, and now that it rings in my ears in an unending cadence, I know the truth.

I’m in Arnakas. That has to be the only explanation. I lie there, refusing to open my eyes. To do so would be to look upon the unholy demons set to torment me for all of eternity.

Plink. Plink. Plink. My ankle throbs in time with the sound, like hot needles jabbing me over and over again. It makes sense though. Forcing myself to face facts, I open my eyes and stare down at the injured limb. Shock infuses my body as I look at the intricate bandaging. Would demons actually care if I was put together or not?

Glancing down at the familiar wall, my eyes drift over the space where my scratches once resided, the futile marking of my time. But they’re not there. The wall is pristine — as least as pristine as it can be while still looking filthy at the same time.

Ironic that they would cover up my existence here yet not fix that damnable water drip. I hoist myself up, pausing for a moment as everything sways in front of me. Nausea bubbles up in my gut, threatening to choke me. It’s all so familiar.

The stench of unwashed bodies floods my senses as the sounds of rhythmic stomping intersperse with my haggard breath. In a way, it’s comforting. I at least know what to expect here.

Glancing down at my right wrist, I trail my fingers over the raised skin. The scar, at least, is not ugly. In some ways, I almost prefer it over the precise marks that line the other omegas’ bodies. This feels rougher hewn, more like something a warrior would wear… Something I would wear.

However, as I turn over my other wrist, my blood runs cold. There, on my left arm is the flawless mark of the omega. What’s even the point of giving this to me? No doubt they plan on executing me for the crimes I’ve committed. I’ve never known anyone to run from a Guardian and survive.

My vision blurs as tears drip down onto the mark. For a moment or two, I hope that it will actually smear it, as if this mark is just temporary, something to wash away. But as with everything in my life, there’s no such luck. The mark holds firm. Try as I might to wipe it away, it doesn’t leave.

What would Davix think of my new mark? That is if he’s thinking about me at all. I’ve made a colossal mess out of all of this, and I have no idea how to even fix it. Helpless, I lie back onto the cot and stare at the ceiling, the dingy surface a far cry from the gilded cage I’ve been living in.

Was it really so bad? Was living as his sex slave the worst possible outcome for my life? It definitely beats being back in this hellhole. Turning toward the wall, I curl up into a tight ball as my brain continues to scream at me, listing my various faults.

More than that, my side of the bond nearly throbs as Davix continues to shove against it. It’s exhausting keeping the barrier in place, and yet, I’m sure the moment I drop it, I’ll be confronted with all his anger and rage. More than anything, I want to cling to the memory of his affection. If I’m to be executed, I’d rather go with that on my heart.

However… Taking in a deep breath, I open things up. Just a touch. Just enough that I can feel him, selfishly drawing on his strength as I prepare for the inevitable.

Instead of the ire I expect to feel, there’s nothing but concern and desperation. The moment Davix is aware that I’m there, he slams his love into me, stealing my breath. Could it be that I was really that wrong about him? Could it be that there’s more to us than hormones, heats, and ruts?

As an Alpha, shouldn’t he be furious at his mate for leaving him? Unease drips into my gut as my brain churns. Have I been wrong this whole time? My mind whirs as I look back on all our interactions. He constantly shared his love with me, whether it be through speaking out loud or with his actions.

Time and again, I shoved them to the side, convinced that they were machinations of the dynamic, the bond, but how can I ignore this? I keep expecting him to do one thing, and yet, he does the opposite.

Bile rises in my throat as the enormity of my actions slams into me. All this time I could have opened up to him, giving him all of me, and yet stupid prejudice kept me from seeing what was there all along — the one Alpha capable of loving me.

As much as I want to allow myself to go down that path, I can’t. To know I am so wrong when I can’t make things right is nearly unbearable. Instead, I rest my hand over my heart, whispering how sorry I am through the bond. Maybe it will be enough.

CHAPTER 25

Davix

Rage simmers below the surface as I pace about my cell. Ladria is close. I can feel it. The least these monsters can do is let us be together. Reaching up, I rub my hand over my heart, grazing my fingertips over the scar from her claiming bite.