The Hidden Crystal

Chapter 54

Char fell asleep on his back, but he woke up on his side, tangled up with Iris. The warmth and softness of her sleeping form in his arms made him reluctant to move. He closed his eyes and nuzzled into her hair, breathing in her scent. It was nothing he could specifically isolate, like a certain fruit or flower, but it was her, and it was unique from any girl he'd ever met. Just like her.

"Mm..."

She stirred, nuzzling into his chest and tightening her arms around his waist. He smiled and kissed the top of her head.

"Good morning, Iris."

He had less than a second to register her whole body stiffening, and then she shoved him back, bolting out of bed and backing against the wall. Her brown eyes were wide with fright, her chest rising and falling with panicked breaths, her fingers clutching the collar of her robe closed. There was no recognition in her eyes.

"Iris," he called, sitting up in bed. "Iris, it's me. Char. You're safe."

Her eyes met his, and he saw a swirl of complicated emotions pass through them, too fast for him to pick any one out before she turned toward the wall and put her face in her hands. Sobs shook her shoulders and wrenched at his heart. He was on his feet and at her side without a thought, turning her back to him, pulling her into his embrace.

"I'm not going to hurt you, Iris. Nobody's going to hurt you again."

She didn't respond, except to cry harder. He held her close, resting his head on hers, letting her cry. They'd done this before, when she fell apart and he held her, but he'd never seen her like this. The sobs shook her entire body and tore from her throat. He almost didn't hear the door open behind him.

"Char? Is everything-"

Char looked back at Rath and shook his head slightly. Rath nodded and left. Char returned his attention to Iris, who he wasn't sure even heard Rath's voice. She was still sobbing uncontrollably. He held her for many long minutes before the heart-rending sobs faded to choked whimpers, and the whole-body shaking reduced to intermittent tremors.

"I-I'm sorry," she whispered.

"Don't apologize," he murmured.

"B-but...it w-wasn't you..."

"I know. It's fine."

She shook her head and pulled free, keeping her face downcast. "I-I should c-clean up."

Char followed her into the bathroom, reluctant to let her go. He had a sense that she shouldn't be alone. She didn't rebuke him as she went to the sink to wash her face. He leaned against the counter beside her, staring at the opposite wall and inwardly fuming. There was only one reason she would react that way to a simple 'Good morning.' He could see those frigid blue eyes, that smug smirk as Micah looked down at Iris from the front doors of the castle. The anguish in her eyes as she turned back to put up the shield that kept Char from chasing after her. And Micah walking toward her, touching her, pulling her close and whispering in her ear, a blue spark dancing in his free hand as he pointed to one of the castle guards. It didn't take much to figure out what he was whispering to her. Threats of harm to others if she didn't comply. Char's stomach churned even now, remembering Micah leading her into the castle, watching the doors close behind them with a sickening feeling in the pit of his stomach.

"Char," Iris whispered, taking his hand.

He left the horrible memories behind and focused on her, standing in front of him with red, puffy eyes. "Yes?"

She hesitated, and then she said, "C-can I tell you?"

He clenched his jaw and nodded. She stepped toward him, wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her cheek on his chest. He completed the embrace and steeled himself.