Page 21 of Journey to the Elderoak
7
She killed someone. Oh god, she actually killed a person. Not an animal, not a monster, but a living breathing person. And not just anyone, but the steward to the queens of another kingdom. What had she done?
And the way he died, the gurgles and gasps; the blood pouring from his throat. Just like Eleanor. Her best friend who had died in almost the same way.
Her fingers ached as her grip tightened on the rock, barely able to feel the sharp edges cutting into her palm. Her trembling increased, hypothermia and the rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins. She couldn’t move. Couldn’t do anything but gape in shock at the body on the ground, blood dripping along the cracks of the stone floor like a macabre painting.
Barefoot in her nightgown, she stood frozen to her spot.
Shouts sounded and the door burst open, boots echoing in the cave as people ran to the scene. Multiple voices floated around her, but Ava could hardly make them out. And she couldn’t look away from Corvus.
Casimir appeared before her and gripped her face.
“Ava,” he said. “Ava, look at me.”
“Oh, fuck is that Corvus?” Raine’s voice sounded behind Casimir.
“Come on. Eyes on me,” Casimir tried again.
Her eyes flicked to his. Panic was written on his face as he took her in.
“Are you hurt? What happened?”
“I—he…I don’t—I k-killed him,” she barely got out through the chattering of her teeth. She was so cold.
“Okay. Everything’s alright. You’re safe now,” he said. “Your lips are blue. We need to get you warm.” His voice was gentle as he stroked her cheek and pushed her hair behind her shoulder. He reached down and pried open her hand. “Give me the rock, princess.” She let go and he tossed it to the ground. “I need to take your wet clothing off. Right now.”
His statement barely registered but she nodded, unable to control her violent shivering.
“Everyone close your eyes,” Casimir demanded, then turned to Pax who was inspecting the scene. “Give me your cloak.Now.”
Pax did as he said, and Casimir draped the cloak over his arm as he eased the nightgown over Ava’s head. She was wearing nothing underneath, but his eyes didn’t wander, staying on her face the entire time. He threw the cloak around her and pulled it tight.
“Handle this, Raine,” he ordered as he scooped her up.
“On it.”
He gripped her as he climbed the stairs, whispering she was safe, he was here. That he wouldn’t let anyone harm her. She nuzzled into his warmth and closed her eyes, gripping the cloak.
“I’m c-c-cold,” she whispered.
“I know. Hang on. We’re almost there.”
They made it to the suite and Casimir set her on the couchbefore rushing into his bedroom and returning with several blankets. He pulled the couch as close to the fireplace as possible and removed his shirt before sitting down. Reaching for Ava, he unwrapped the cloak, but kept his eyes away from her nudity as he pulled her into his lap before wrapping them both in several blankets.
He pushed her hair out of her face. “I’m sorry but you need body heat. It’s the fastest way to get you warm.” She didn’t care. Barely even noticed her nudity as she nestled into the crook of his neck, still trembling. He was so warm. She inhaled and sighed into his soft skin.
“Where are you injured?”
Her muscles were so tense her whole body ached as she tried to remember. “I think…he stabbed me. I don’t think it’s deep…and my head? I think. He—he hit me.”
Casimir tensed, gripping her tighter. “He hit you?”
“Yes,” she whispered. “Slammed my head in-into the wall.”
He cleared his throat. “Okay. We’ll get your injuries addressed once you’re warm,” he said, attempting to hide the obvious fury in his voice.
“I—the blood. I have to wash it off. So much blood. Oh, god I killed him…” The words came spilling out. “They were going to kill you. I couldn’t—the chains. The blood. I called for help. Then—then it came. It helped me. I did what Quinn taught me.” She tilted her head to look at him. “I did it. I slit his throat…Oh…oh no. I killed him…”
