Page 10 of Journey to the Elderoak (Daughter of the Earth #2)

C asimir was on his feet in an instant when he heard Ava start crying. He wanted to respect her privacy, knowing she would feel vulnerable unclothed and bruised. Fuck privacy. He refused to let her sit there by herself and sob.

When he entered the bathroom, he found her sitting in the tub with her head in her hands, shoulders shaking as she wept.

He knew exactly what was going through her mind.

The first time he had to take a life, he threw up for half an hour and cried until he fell asleep.

War was a terrible, terrible thing. And it had barely even begun.

He fought against his fury at the thought of Ava being put through this. Of this beautiful woman having to face more death, more trauma. It wouldn’t end with tonight; it was only the beginning, and he would do everything in his power to ensure she was ready.

But what he wanted to do was keep her tucked away from anyone who wished her harm. Wanted to hold her. Protect her. Kiss her.

He knelt next to the tub and brushed the hair from her face. She looked at him and the way her green eyes filled with tears, split his heart in two. If only he could resurrect Corvus to kill him all over again. Ever so slowly.

He grabbed the washcloth floating on the water, lathered it with soap, and washed her back while she cried.

Her fair skin was already peppered with bruises.

Bruises on top of the brutal scars left by the daemon queen.

It took every effort to contain his rage as he ran the cloth across her shoulders.

“Shh,” he whispered as he scrubbed the blood off her arms. “I have you.”

But she didn’t stop crying. He reached into the water and lifted her ankle, washing the length of her leg. Then, the other. He cleaned her stomach and chest, careful not to touch her with his bare hands, and moved to her neck and face, wiping away the blood as she sniffled.

“Lean back,” he whispered.

She did as he said, lowering herself into the water to wet her hair, and rose again. He poured shampoo into his hands and lathered her hair, scrubbing thoroughly as she closed her eyes, still crying. She leaned back again, and he rinsed it.

Casimir stood and handed her the washcloth. “Can you do the rest?”

She nodded and he turned to grab a towel while she finished. When she was done, she rose and he dried her off before wrapping her in the towel and leading her to the bedroom. “Let’s get these injuries fixed.”

He dug through the wardrobe and found a nightdress. Dropping the towel, Ava raised her arms and he lowered the dress over her, keeping his gaze away from her body. With the gentlest touch, he took her hand and led her to the bed, propping her up with pillows.

“I’m going to get the medical kit. I’ll be right back.”

Raine was sitting in the living room when he entered.

“How is she?” he asked .

Casimir looked at him. “How were you the first time you killed someone?”

“Not good,” he said with understanding.

“Is everything taken care of with Soren and Astrid?”

“Yes. We’re still leaving tomorrow and they’re sticking with their agreement to help. They’re devastated. They never imagined Corvus would have done anything like this. He was right there under their noses this whole time.”

“It doesn’t bode well for the rest of this war,” Casimir admitted. “There could be spies anywhere.”

Ava had stopped crying by the time he returned, now staring at the wall, numb and exhausted.

He spent the next twenty minutes dabbing balm on her bruises and stitching the cut on her forehead.

Thanks to the numbing agent their head healer, Kai, had packed, Ava hardly winced as he threaded the needle through her split skin.

“I need to see the stab wound,” he said.

“Okay.” She rolled to her side, and he lifted her dress.

It was deeper than he’d realized but at least it had stopped bleeding.

“This needs stitches too,” he said.

She nodded and he applied the numbing agent and stitched the wound closed.

After seeing to her injuries, he slid into bed next to her, nestling into the blankets and pulling her close.

She laid her head on his bare chest and draped her arm across him.

He tightened his grip and ran his fingers through her hair.

This was perfect. She was…perfect. The way she fit flawlessly into his arms, the scent of her lavender shampoo, the contented sigh she released as she nuzzled closer.

He knew this was probably crossing the line.

It was much too soon, but the moment he got word something had happened to her, he didn’t even think it through.

The only thing he could focus on was getting to her as fast as possible.

And when he saw her standing there, wet, trembling and covered in blood, his very soul ached.

Like his heart was being torn from his chest.

He pulled her a little tighter, continuing to run his fingers through her hair, humming quietly. Within minutes, her breathing evened out and she was asleep.

“I’ll always protect you,” he whispered quietly so she wouldn’t hear.