The Hidden Crystal

Chapter 54

One minute, Char was lying on his back, staring up at the ceiling and trying not to think about how much he wanted to make love to the girl cuddled up to him, and the next minute, he was waking up, tangled up with her.

He didn't mind that at all.

Iris was warm and soft in his arms. Her distinctive smell filled his senses, subtle and difficult to describe. It wasn't floral or fruity; it was just her, and it was unique. Like her.

He brushed her hair behind her ear to better see her sleeping face. She looked so peaceful, so content. No worry lines between her eyebrows; no tension in the muscles around her eyes or lips.

He smiled and nuzzled into her hair, breathing in her scent and sighing. Her flinching away from his touch last night had been a reflex, not a conscious repulsion. She'd wanted him to hold her. She'd wanted him to stay with her. She felt safe with him.

She was safe with him. He'd do anything for her.

"Mm..."

She sighed and stirred. Her arms tightened around him. He kissed the top of her head, eager to see her sleepy brown eyes opening and meeting his. He could already picture her shy smile.

"Good morning, Iris."

Her entire body stiffened.

She shoved him away and bolted out of bed before he could react, backing against the wall with no recognition in her wide, frightened eyes. She was breathing hard, clutching the collar of her robe closed, and Char stared at her, stunned.

"Iris," he called, keeping his voice soft and his movements slow as he sat up in bed. "Iris, it's me. Char. You're safe."

Her eyes met his. He saw a swirl of complicated emotions pass through them, too fast for him to pick one out, and then she turned toward the wall and put her face in her hands, crying. Her shoulders shook; the sound of her wild sobs wrenched at Char's heart. He was on his feet and at her side without a thought, turning her back to him and pulling her into an embrace.

"I won't hurt you, Iris. Nobody will ever hurt you again."

She didn't respond, except to cry harder. He held her close, resting his head on hers and wishing he could do more for her now—wishing he could have done more for her before. Because there was only one reason she would react this way to a simple morning greeting.

He could see those frigid blue eyes, that smug smirk. Micah touching her, holding her close atop his horse, whispering in her ear—probably threatening the orphans and reminding her of the punishment he had in store for her.

And then the fear on Iris' face turning to hopelessness as they rode away.

Char wished he could revive Micah and kill him again.

The door opened behind him. "Char? Is everything—"

He looked back at Rath and shook his head. Rath nodded and left.

It was many long minutes until Iris' heart-rending sobs faded to choked whimpers. Char held her close and stroked her hair, not speaking, just letting her tremble in his arms. He would have picked her up and taken her back to bed if he hadn't been worried about scaring her more, but he waited, wondering when he should move.

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

"You have nothing to apologize for."

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

"It's okay, Iris. I know."

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