Ronan

Chapter Forty-Two

The world was a blur of colours as they portal jumped—and blood. Sofia's blood was everywhere. Her clothes were damp with it, crimson dripping down the demon's arms. Any longer and she'd die.

Rosa was utterly useless. With her aching back and body pains, there was little she could do to help. No knowledge or magic for her to supply. Sofia was going to bleed out if she didn't get medical attention soon.

But Caspian wouldn't have it.

Rosa had never seen anything like it. The sheer devotion. The unspeakable fear.

She felt as if she were intruding on a private moment.

If Sofia were to die here, she didn't doubt for one minute Caspian would choose to follow.

What love's supposed to look like.

Caspian and Sofia were one and the same. Her heart broke that little bit more seeing this was something she would never have. Selfless love. A partner.

But she'd never be alone again.

Panting, her hands fell to her stomach.

Never.

"Open up!" Caspian demanded, banging endlessly on the double castle doors with one fist. Guards came hurrying. Cas was speeding past them before they even had the doors open.

"Help! I need help!" His voice echoed through the cavernous halls. He kept running, Rosa struggling to keep pace behind. "We need help! Someone get me some fucking help!"

"Caspian?" A woman Rosa wasn't sure she recognised came rushing around the corner. "Where's Rosa—"

"I'm here," Rosa called, breathing through her mouth and nose.

Physical exertion not good.

Not the mission conclusion they'd planned, she was sure.

She felt frazzled herself. It'd been nearly two years since she'd seen this many people. Or any people for that matter. She half expected Ronan to appear. To drag her back to the gates of hell, hiding her from this world forever.

But he wouldn't come.

She'd seen it in his eyes.

He'd heed her warning and stay away.

Caspian growled for attention, Sofia still whimpering in pain.

"Get me help. I need medical attention."

"What's—"

"Now Ruby!" So that was the woman's name. "Get me a fucking doctor!"

Stumbling back, the woman ran off just as the other allies arrived. Rosa cradled her stomach still, lost.

Don't think about it, don't think about it, don't think about it!

And she thought about it.

About everything she'd just left behind. The two whole years of her life gone by. The man she'd left standing there, desperate for her to change her mind.

Steel yourself against him.

He'd made this decision for her. He'd left her with no choice. She wouldn't raise her children in a house where depravity came first.

Rosa couldn't look at the woman dying on the floor.

This is my fault.

If they hadn't come for her, she'd have never been stabbed.

Booming footsteps entered the room as Caspian comforted his dying mate. Claudio appeared, diving for the conflict. He stopped short at the sight of the dying woman.