Ronan~
Nothing made sense and the world felt loud and infuriating as Talon and I approached the castle.
Spill her blood for mine? I wouldn't allow it. There has to be another way.
It was difficult to keep my anger under control as I flung my weapons to the ground and paced, trying to make sense of the news we'd been given.
"Well?" Kaes asked as he came down the steps.
Unable to speak through my gritted teeth, I simply lowered my leathers so that Kaes could see the brand on my chest, still very much intact.
"So it's irreversible?" Kaes asked.
"Not exactly." Talon offered.
Letting out an exasperated sigh, Kaes turned his attention away from me and toward Talon.
"Will you explain what's going on then while he paces like a child?"
"Lavinia said it could be reversed, but it was too costly." Talon said, unsure if Everly was within earshot.
"Too costly?" Kaes spat in disbelief. "What on earth did she request?"
"Everly." I growled.
"Her bloodshed more specifically." Talon added, but the words made my muscles tense.
"How much?" A soft voice sounded from the steps.
"Go back inside Everly." It was a command, but it came out more like a plea.
"How much of my blood?" She asked again.
"I won't consider it." I stated firmly.
"Have you forgotten that I am a healer? How much blood needs to be spilled?" She was persistent and confident, but I wasn't ready to hear it.
"She has a point." Kaes offered, earning him a glare from me.
"This isn't up for discussion."
"Fine." Everly said in a clipped tone that I didn't care for.
Her dress swayed as she walked toward me with a look I couldn't quite decipher. She didn't even look at Talon as she skillfully snatched a knife from his belt.
"I'll ask you again, how much blood?" Everly's voice was calm as she poised the knife above the soft flesh of her arm.
"Stop it Everly." I warned.
"If it's blood she needs to reverse the vow, I can give you that."
"I doubt she meant a few drops, little nymph." Kaes sneered.
Kaes's taunting ignited something within Everly and she brought the blade to her skin, pressing down until dark red blood began dripping down her forearm.
Sharp, searing pain shot through the bond and I watched as Everly winced and whined at the sensation. While she could heal herself after an injury, her gifts didn't spare her from pain.
"Everly!" I yelled as I rushed to her, forcefully taking the knife from her hand and tossing it aside.
Using my hand, I pressed down hard on the wound, with a mixture of gratitude and horror on my face. I could feel the rhythmic pulsing of her warm blood against my palm.
"She cut a damn artery." I said loudly to Talon who had come to assist with cloth.
Blood poured from her wound and her knees buckled slightly.
"I'm alright." She insisted in a soft, weakened voice. "Move your hands."
"No." I said firmly, pressing down on the wound to stop the bleeding.
