Page 87 of Thorns of Blood

Yes, she brought me into this world, but I didn’t think there was a single bone in her body that cared for anyone but herself.

Romeo and I weren’t close to her, witnessing hermanycruelties to others over the years, but Cristiano was spared seeing those. Hence he saw her in a better light than us, and she used him to get what she wanted from the rest of us.

A whimper pulled my attention to the bed where I found Lia in a fetal position, eyes shut tight and her brow furrowed as if in pain.

Her mouth opened and closed multiple times, but no words came out—only whimpers and grunts. Her body shook, but the pain etched on her face was like a dagger straight to my heart.

I stood and carefully approached the bed. I lowered to my knees, cupping Lia’s face.

“No, please,” she whimpered, tears rolling down her cheeks and onto my thumbs. “No… no… please.”

“Lia, my love. Wake up.”

She tossed her head around, and I knew a nightmare had her in its hold.

“Don’t hurt him, please. Please,” she whimpered.

“Who?” I asked against my better judgment, keeping my voice soft. “Who’s hurting him, Lia?”

There were still things she held back, buried underneath her layers, and until everything was out in the open, I feared we’d keep running into roadblocks.

“Please…”

Her body shook harder, her cries became louder, and she repeated her pleas over and over again.

“Lia, nobody will hurt you again.” I gripped her face tightly, peppering kisses all over and tasting salty tears. “You’re with me. Wake up, wildflower.”

I hoped my touch would pull her from the nightmare and bring her back to me.

“It hurts,” she whimpered.

“You’re here with me. I will never let anyone hurt you. You’re safe.”

Keeping my voice gentle, I kept talking to her, hoping that would release her from her nightmare and the demons that seemed intent on disrupting her peace.

“I’m here,” I murmured. “I’ll always be here.”

As if my words finally reached her, the tortured lines on Lia’s face smoothed out, but she still trembled, tears rolling down her cheeks.

My mouth brushed against hers as I tried to ease her pain in the way that seemed to work best.

Her tremors finally eased and she opened her eyes, confusion in them as they darted around frantically. She blinked, pulling away.

“You’re safe with me, Lia,” I said softly.

Her eyes found mine and, even in the darkness of the room, I could see devastation in them.

“Did I… attack you?”

“No.”

She slid her sweat-drenched body off the bed and into my arms in a move so unlike her I almost toppled over, taking her with me. It was like she was seeking protection, and I was the one she’d chosen.

The moment her cheek touched my bare chest, she fell apart all over again, sobbing uncontrollably.

“That’s right. Let it all out,” I soothed. “You’re safe now.”

“They killed him.” Her words were barely audible through her sobs. “They took everything from me.”