Chapter 176 Flames
I nod, wiping the tears from my eyes. She throws her little hands around my neck, my resolve breaking the second time. I squeeze her back before she is escorted out with the rest of the children. I remain kneeling there, staring thoughtlessly at the carpet clad ground.
"My lady. Shall we go?"
I nod and Cordelia helps me to my feet. We make our way out of the theatre, my mind buzzing. Elijah gives me a concerned look as I step into the carriage and it jolts to stride.
"How long has this been going on?" I question, not specifying, but knowing Cordelia understands. She glances away from the window to me, her lips pursed
"For some years now. Some packs who feel they have no need for weak children disregard them but they struggle to survive, like Melody said, some don't make it to a better place like she did" her face is grim, blank from the excitement that once bubbled through her.
"So when my husband and I found this out we made a way to help these children, as many as we could reach"
I sigh, running a hand through my hair. My chest tightened with guilt. How could I be so blind to the troubles of my people? Now I knew and I would vow to make a difference, to change things, the little things like these.
No one would endure what I had to, no child should.
"That is very noble of you Cordelia" I palm her hands, smiling thankfully at her.
"It's okay my lady. You need not worry yourself as I know you are. It was not your fault you didn't not know about the misplaced"
Cordelia tries to make me feel better but it falls on deaf ears.
"I will take no concern if I must do this with all my might, but I will speak to Darius and fix this. I will not leave until I help the misplaced children all over"
A sense of determination grips me. The moment we arrive at my feet hit the cobblestone path, my objective is clear. I make my way to Darius, wondering where he could be. One of the guards informs me that he was seen going to his study for a meeting.
My hand hovers above the handle, angst pinching at my skin. I was unsure if I wanted to see Darius after how he hurt me a few hours ago but I swallowed it down, knowing there were more important things at hand. I inhale a deep breath, taking hold of the door handle and push the door open. The sight in front of me has me running over to Darius but I'm too late as he tosses the book into the fire place.
I cling onto his tunic, my eyes wide in shock as I watch the book sit in the flames, the furnace slowly peeling away at the books bindings. A surge goes through my body and I throw myself before the fire place, "Darius, no! wh-why, why did you throw the book into the fire!?"
I watch helplessly as the book begins to burn. Taking a hasty move I stick my hand into the flames, trying to grab the book but the heat of the fire consumes my hands and I hiss in pain. Darius grabs onto me, hauling me away from the fire and into his arms.
"Fuck, Audrey. What is wrong with you!? Why did you put your hand into the fire, do you not consider you will get burnt!?"
My gaze is still fixated on the book as it chips away, the familiar pages folding in burns.
"Why did you burn it? That was the only way Nostradamus could have helped us!" I sniffle, crying from the pain and the loss I felt.
Darius ignores my words, picking me up and walking us out of the study. Tears roll down my cheeks as I rock my burnt palms to my chest, cuddling into myself rather than resting into Darius. He takes me to our chambers, ignoring the concerned looks from the guards who break composure for a few seconds.
Darius places me carefully on the bed, like a fragile piece of glass that would break if handled roughly. He walks over to the tray of medical herbs I had kept for use on him and brings it over, placing it between us on the bed. He tries to pick me into his lap but I pull back, tears slipping down my cheeks
"Why did you do that?" My voice comes out quiet, pained.
His face is pale with shock and fright, his gaze fixated on my burns "Please, baby let me take care of your burns" his voice is strained with desperation, the need to want to remove my pain coming off in waves, the urge to cradle me in his arms so visible he looked to be shaking with it.
I sway my hand, pulling my hands away from his reach "No. Why did you burn the b-book?" I wince, looking down at my peeling skin.
"Tell me. You say there is no threat so why burn the book!?"
Darius looks at me, the anguish in his eyes almost making me cave in, he looked like he would break down in any second. He drops to his knees before me, my eyes widen as he inches closer, hands cupping my cheeks.
"W-what are you doing? Get up" I urge him but he refuses, a wryly smile on his lips.
He blinks back tears, taking my hands in his, careful to not graze my wounds. "I cannot tell you everything my love. But I need you to trust me, trust that I cannot reveal things to you for your own safety. Trust that as long as I live, on my eternal soul that I will never let any harm befall neither this kingdom nor you" the honesty in his eyes struck me, but it masked a deeper emotion. An ancient soul, plagued by torment and chaos, drowned in guilt, sorrow.
"But why can you not tell me?"
So Darius is keeping things from me? He knows about the beast? He believes he is protecting me? But from what?
I watch quietly as Darius begins to apply the herbs gently into my burns. I wince in pain, causing him to halt and gaze up at me. I give him a reassuring smile as he continues, blowing air over them to soothe the soreness.
"It pains me to keep things from you. I do not do it because I don't think you capable enough, not because I do not trust you" he finishes, picking up the bandage and wrapping it around my palms. Luckily the burns are not severe and look like they would heel in a matter of weeks.
"But because I am trying to protect you my love. I do not wish anything to cause you harm, nor for anything to threaten your life. You are my gift, my constellation, my gorgeous bride. It frightens me, the very thought of loosing you"