Chapter 17 #3
My icy bloodshot eyes meet his, and he steps forward.
“You may remove the chains when I leave the room,” he says.
Bronwyn moves toward the wall, waiting for that moment to arrive. However, he takes his time. Her rapid breathing lets me know how panicked she is, and I slowly glance toward her.
“Hang on,” she mouths. “Just hang on.”
Lowell’s heavy footsteps rattle my charred body as he approaches, lifting my chin with his finger.
“Do not forget who is in charge here. You committed yourself to me. You are bound to this Order. To me.” His hot breath feels like a new fire on my face. “Your body will heal, but not as quickly as you’d like, I’d assume.”
I manage to get out barely a whisper. “Fuck… you.”
“I hate that you feel that way,” he says. “I was hoping this would help.”
I don’t respond. I only weep.
“Be ready to leave for the Jade Order in two hours. A dress will be delivered to your room.” Lowell peers at my back and grimaces. “It’s backless to show off your new reminders.”
He moves his thumb across my jaw, locking eyes with me.
Lowell smiles and leans forward to kiss my cheek.
I flinch, and he drops my chin, storming toward the exit.
My head falls, and stars begin to dance in my vision.
The pain keeps me awake, but it could knock me out at any moment.
I vomit again, and another wave of humiliation washes over me.
“Take off the chains, Bronwyn. Clean her up. She’s disgusting.”
Her frantic steps fill my ears as the heavy metal door slams behind Lowell. Bronwyn collapses to the ground in front of me, indifferent to the blood, vomit, and sweat staining her pants. Keys jingle in her hands as she quickly unlocks my ankles, working on both as fast as possible.
The first shackle unwraps from my leg, and I feel a small surge of power rushing into my body now that my healing abilities are freed to begin the impossible work. Another pull on the chain at my opposite ankle releases more power coursing through my veins.
The pain is unbearable, and even as my body begins to heal, it’s not enough.
With my ankles free, she moves my legs into a better position to widen my stance, preventing me from crashing to the ground when my wrists are free, still suspended over my head.
“You can do this, Mara,” she coaches. “I’m going to work on your wrists now.”
My body is nearly limp, but I hold, anticipating the pain I’ll feel when the time comes to lower my arms. As quickly as she can, she stands, moving to my wrists. With the numbness wearing off, I can feel the slow trickle of blood oozing down my body from the horrible burns covering my back.
I hear a lock click free, and she grips my wrist to stop it from lowering to my side.
Her beautiful face comes into view like a halo of light, and she uses her other hand to wipe a falling tear from my cheek. The power flowing through me grows stronger, and I feel my magic working overtime to heal my burned body.
“I’m going to lower your arm.” She cups my jaw. “This will hurt, but you can handle this. Okay?”
I nod, still suspended by my other hand.
Bronwyn slowly lowers my arm, and searing pain rocks my entire body, causing a scream to erupt from my throat, immediately turning it raw.
My vision blurs as waves of pain slam into my body, threatening to sink me.
My healing ability surges to my back, and through the pain, I can feel my skin slowly weaving back together.
Half of my body slumps to the ground as she works on the last lock that keeps me chained. She repeats the same process: talking me through the pain, lowering my hand, and waiting as my full power starts to work.
With my limbs free, my legs give way, and I fall onto the filth-soaked ground, but Bronwyn catches me around my waist, careful not to touch the burns marring my back.
“You are going to heal.” She rubs my sweat-soaked forehead. “Just give it a bit of time. You can do this. You can do anything.”
I gaze at her beautiful face, which fades in and out of focus as she strokes my head.
Bronwyn continues to whisper to me, but all I can think about right now is the pain.
No matter how hard my body works, the wounds are too severe to heal quickly, and my worst fears are coming to life.
It will be days before I can unfold my wings.
Nothing is more humiliating to an angel than being grounded against their will.
My back itches, as if the flames still mark my skin, and I grind my teeth. She quickly removes her outer shirt, placing it over my bare chest, and tears fall down my temples as I gaze up at her.
“I’m so sorry, Bronwyn,” I sob. “For everything.”
“Shhh.” She props me up a bit farther. “We are not speaking about that right now.”
I wince against the pain and attempt to sit up fully, but I fail to do so. She tries to catch me, and her hand hits my back, sending a blast of pain through me. She gasps and repositions herself to better assist me.
I was terrible to Bronwyn leading up to my last assignment, and I can’t believe she’s helping me right now. I deserve to be left face down in the puddles of blood, as far as I’m concerned.
“I deserved this,” I cough out. “Just leave me.”
She huffs. “No one deserves this torture, Mara. Not even you. You did a bad thing, but that doesn’t mean you deserve this. I’m not walking out on you. Not again.”
A sob escapes my mouth, and I bury my head in her chest, indifferent to the tears soaking her tank top.
She lets me cry as long as I need, gently rubbing my head.
My back is slowly healing, and the pain eases with each minute, but the inner pain doesn’t go away.
It stays forever etched on my broken soul.
I try to stand again, and she helps me—like so many hard times in my life.
My legs wobble, but I manage to succeed after a few tries.
Bronwyn wraps a hand around my waist and guides me to the exit.
She ensures my back is covered to avoid the stares I’m likely to receive from the angels that creep around every corner, interested in the commotion.
Each step is painful, but I stand up straight, my blank gaze fixed forward.
Bronwyn walks alongside me slowly as we make our way to my bedroom.
I have just over an hour to prepare for the Jade Order, and I’ll be damned if I let Lowell win this time.