Chapter Forty-Nine
Triggers: graphic description of self-harm, including blood and gore, and an on-page anxiety attack
On the night before her wedding, Asher is alone and suffering from night terrors.
Demon tradition requires the bride and groom to sleep separately, so Bellamy is not around to help talk Asher down.
She becomes confused and scared, not immediately sure where she is.
When she realizes that she is safe, she starts tracing her scars, wishing they were there to reassure her.
Her panic attack becomes unbearable, and Asher makes a hasty decision to carve her scars back into herself.
She begins to do so, but Nicola, Ranbir, Sterling, and Queen Shah burst into her room.
Ranbir forcibly heals Asher as Sterling talks her down.
When she is calm, Sterling and Ranbir leave.
Nicola tells Asher she would have died if she continued on, but that she has an idea.
Shah then offers to tattoo Asher’s scars back on in a similar color to what they were.
They tattoo Asher through the night.
After they leave, Asher cleans herself up and Bellamy comes in.
He tells her that she is whole in his eyes after she cries to him.
They hold one another for the rest of the night, talking and cuddling.
Noe comes in early the next morning, telling Bellamy to leave because it is time for Asher to get ready.