The Serpent & Hawke | Mattheo Riddle | Enemies to lovers

Part 61 - Alone to bear

Mattheo's POV

I couldn't leave her alone for long.

The thought of Lyanna believing she'd hurt me just then, memories of torture and other horrors no doubt flooding back, drove me up the stairs.

I took a steadying breath before knocking gently on her door.

Silence answered, so I eased the door open.

Her head poked up from the far side of the bed where she sat on the floor, leaning against the mattress.

Soft sniffling sounds broke my heart as I rounded the bed to find her clutching her arm, her body trembling like a leaf in autumn.

I blocked her view of the door, settling on the floor before her.

Her distant stare focused on me, and for a moment I thought she might lash out, but instead her chin quivered with suppressed emotion.

"It burns."

She whispered, voice thick with pain.

My eyes dropped to where she gripped her arm.

"Can I see?"

After a moment's hesitation, she extended her arm.

With utmost gentleness, I rolled up her sleeve to reveal the Dark Mark.

My heart clenched at the sight - it seemed to protrude from her skin, the snake writhing as if alive.

The edges were angry red and raw, like a fresh tattoo that wouldn't heal.

She felt it too, my father slowly dying with another horcrux being destroyed.

I stared at it, rage building as I thought of everyone who'd contributed to her suffering.

I would make them pay.

Every. Single. One.

But I kept my touch gentle, knowing she needed calm more than vengeance right now.

"I'm sorry I hurt you." Lyanna's voice cracked. "I don't know why I did it. I- I don't want- I don't want you to be afraid of me."

"You didn't hurt me, ok? That wasn't you."

I caught her gaze, pressing a kiss to her palm that made her breath hitch.

"I want you to listen to me very carefully."

My voice was soft but carried absolute certainty.

"There is nothing in this world you could do to make me fear you. Nothing you could do will ever push me away. Do you understand?"

Tears traced silver paths down her cheeks as she searched my face for any hint of deception.

Finding none, she pulled her arm back, tugging the sleeve down like she could hide the mark from both of us.

"What happened then? In the kitchen?"

She drew her legs to her chest, making herself smaller.

I swallowed hard, knowing memories of horcruxes and plans to destroy Voldemort were locked away in her mind.

With the Dark Mark still binding her to him, telling her too much could be dangerous.

He could still try and read her thoughts, still control her actions if he really wanted too.

And, if she let him.

"We kissed."

I deflected, trying to lighten the moment.