Page 11 of Heir of Broken Souls

“You can’t put a time on grief, Harlow. Don’t force him to be ready when he’s not. It will only kill him in the long run.”

Harlow lowers to my eye line, boring into my soul as she says softly, yet sternly, “Look at him, Delilah. He is killing himself.”

But I can’t look. I know she’s right.

Harlow rises with a grunt of displeasure. “You speak so much about protecting those around you, but you’re only helping him do this.”

Snapping wild eyes at her, I straighten, hatred flaring in place of self-pity. “Watch it,” I growl. “You’re not innocent in this equation, either. It would be best you do not forget that.”

We stare at one another, fire sizzling between us until she looks away first, down at Axel.

“We are doing him a disservice.”

“I’m open to suggestions if you have them, but all I’m hearing is you complaining about everything I’m doing.”

She shrugs. “I’ve already told you?—”

I scoff. “We are not throwing him in the cellar to dry out! Are you mad?”

“You said you wanted a solution.”

“Yes, one that will actually help him, not one that will drive him insane.”

“He’s already insane,” she mumbles under her breath.

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I take a deep breath, trying to cool my steaming anger. “Harlow.”

“Yes?” she purrs.

“If you’re not going to help, leave.”

She must hear it in my voice, the utter exhaustion. Because in the next breath, she’s cursing, striding up to Axel.

SMACK.

My eyes widen with a gasp of shock as Harlow slaps Axel across the face.

“Harlow!” I reprimand.

Axel’s eyes fly open, his hand lazily cupping his cheek. “Gods, what crawled up your ass?” he whines.

“Wake up, you drunk buffoon, before you choke on vomit in your sleep and die.”

I shove Harlow out of the way, toward the bathroom door. “That isnotwhat I meant by help,” I hiss under my breath.

She simply shrugs. “I’m more of a tough love kind of woman.”

“Go give your tough love to someone else.” I push her out into the hallway and kick the door closed behind her, shutting out her retort. I sigh, turning back and kneeling beside the tub again.

Axel’s bleary red eyes lock on mine before a crooked smile spreads across his face. “Delilah! Fancy seeing you here.”

I wish I could roll my eyes at the playful tone, or even crack a smile. But this is not Axel, my friend, my family member. The man before me is broken, and I fear he may be beyond repair.

“Why, Axel?” I whisper, my voice thick.

The happy drunk smile drops at the words. He closes his eyes, his head falling back. “When are you going to give up and allow me to die?”

This time, I can’t stop the emotions from rising.