Page 78 of Blackheart

I froze.

A group of angry travelers surrounded Arielle. Trista stood nearby, with tears welling in the corners of her eyes and covering her mouth. A body lay on the floor, black poison coating what was left of his skin.

Arielle had killed him, just as she had killed people in the Waywards.

Beck stepped in front of Arielle, blocking her and addressing the growing crowd.

“I think it is best if you all leave for…a few moments, then we'll talk, yes?” he asked, far calmer than I could have been.

There was some protest, but he flicked each of them a coin for their patience, and with that, they scurried off with promises to return. Arielle stood behind him, holding her inky fingertips by her mouth and talking to herself. Maybe the Waywards did this to her. Maybe we weren’t meant to hold our poison in forever.

Trista's tears ran through the crinkles around her eyes as she walked away.

Arielle hadn’t always been violent. She was once a breath of fresh air, always noticed for being fearless and outspoken. Now, she had taken the opportunity of a new life away from the man who lay at their feet.

Riven and I backed away, lingering by a shadowed wall of ropes and hooks as Beck turned back to Arielle. My chest burned, knowing that if she tried to hurt him, I would repay the favor I owed him for saving me in the midwinter games. She could not continue on like this.

I held one of the secured ropes as the ship rocked me further into the wall, partially obscuring my view as Beck grabbed Arielle’s slender hand andkissed it.

She smiled, the sorrow disappearing from her eyes. He wrapped his arms around her, hugging her in a way that said more than words.

I had been so blind. All that time ago at the tavern, Beck hadn’t been nosy for the hell of it. He was in love with Arielle.

As her smile melted away, she tried to hide her face, turning toward the water while holding the ledge of the ship. Beck wasn’t deterred in the slightest, slipping his arms lovingly around her from behind and cradling her as they swayed, both staring out at the sea.

What if the mob were to return while they weren’t looking?

I couldn’t help but walk closer, as if I needed to protect them. I wasn’t sure what the solution would be to the Arielle issues, but Becklovedher.

He combed her wild curls to the side and kissed her shoulder.

“I’m sorry they did this to you,” he said.

“Me too.” Her voice was soft, but not sad. It was empty.

She nodded to him as if he’d asked a question. The ship rocked, and I grabbed onto a nearby barrel, narrowly avoiding falling. Riven still stood back in the shadows, his face unreadable.

Beck held Arielle tighter, but she pushed space between them before turning to face him. She pleaded with her eyes, as if a monster was out to get her.

For the first time, Beck’s breath was unsteady. His eyes were wild with uncertainty.

There was a silent battle between their stares before he nodded back and met her mouth for a kiss. I should have looked away or gone back to my room, but I could not.

He held her in his embrace as the moment went from dream to nightmare. Fast, thick shadows filled her throat and circled around her body like a storm. I placed my hand to my mouth, holding back tears as he lowered her to the ground. Shadows covered her eyes and blanketed her body. They swarmed into her nose and mouth, and her breathing slowed.

She showed no sign of panic, nor fear. It was Beck who looked afraid as he struggled to conceal the pain, his chest heaving as he wielded his shadows, sending his lover to the darkness she so desired.

My heart shattered.

Beck held Arielle until she was gone, then lovingly closed her eyelids. With unsteady arms, he picked her limp body up, red curls falling like ash. He kissed her forehead for the last time before dropping her over the side of the ship.

At long last, she was free. Not only from the Waywards, but from both her mind and her own Nature.

I scurried off, holding back tears. Trista was going to be a wreck, but I would be there for her, the best I could.

The sail whipped above, and when I glanced up, the blonde woman was perched behind the sail with her beast. If I had been ten steps back, I wouldn’t have been able to see them in the darkness. Her and the bladebreather’s eyes were glued on Beck, who held the ledge of the ship, cursing at the ocean.

The bladebreather lowered its head, quietly whining and large eyes blinking in wonder.