Ch 21 Devastated

Alaric was sitting at Thea’s desk, staring into space.

Kai was sitting on the floor, leaning against her bed. He had a black eye, swollen nose, busted lip. His knuckles were a bloody mess. So were his clothes.

Conri was on Thea’s bed clutching her pillows, breathing in her scent, and sobbing.

They all turned and looked at her, pain in their eyes.

“What happened?” Thea said, worry in her voice. She thought maybe there had been a rogue attack and someone died.

Conri jumped off the bed, ran to her, spilled onto his knees, and hugged her as tight as he could. “ Please don’t leave us,” he sobbed. “Please. I’1l be better.”

“What? I’m not going anywhere. What’s going on?” She put her hands around him, trying to comfort him. She couldn’t remember ever seeing him cry. He was impulsive and wild, but he wasn’t acrier. °

Kai wouldn’t talk. It was like the fight had left him. ‘

“We didn’t handle today very well,” Alaric said. His voice was full of pain. It hurt Thea to hear it. She could tell he was doing his duty because he always would, but he sounded like it was killing him.

“What happened?” Thea said.

“You left us,” Conri said. She could barely make out his words through his sobs.

She knelt down and held him. “What are you talking about, Con? I’m right here.”

Alaric stood up and walked to the door. “I’m glad you’ re back safe,” he said.

“Ric?”

He left. Thea turned to Conri.

“You’re a mess, Con. Come on, let’s get you cleaned up,” she said. She coaxed him to the bathroom while he clung to her. She got his clothes off and him into the shower. She washed him, then held him.

He kept whispering, “Please don’t leave,” between sobs until he eventually calmed under her touch.

“Tell me what’s wrong, Con.”

“I don’t want to lose you.”

“You’re not.”

“You’re mine, Thea. I need you.”

“I need you too, Con.”
“Do you want to be with other people?”

I want to be with you forever. I missed you today. I couldn’t wait to come

neck. “I missed you so much. My heart hurt with you so far away. It drove me crazy thinking you were going to kiss her. It wasn’t jealousy. I was afraid

you guys wanted me to, but the thought made me sick. I missed you guys too much. I don’t want to be

“Really?”

and further away I got from you guys, the more it hurt. The more I] wanted to come back and be with you. I love

“I love you more.” She smiled. “All

know Misty wants you. You have no reason not to date

don’t

neck. “My dad was right. We’re weak

didn’t say you were weak. He

weak. I felt empty. Like

never seen you

cry,” he said. “I can’t bear the thought

said. “I need you alive and with me,

I was. I still

you don’t.”

with

He nuzzled

need to

“I know.”

okay without me

as you’re

“Always.”

his old room, knocked softly, and walked in. She sat next to him on the bed. He was holding one of her pillows, breathing in her

would do to you, I wouldn’t have done it. Maybe we all should have

you from living your life,” Kai said. “I won’t fight

with you, Kai. I like fighting with you. I love

me?” Kai

“I’ve always loved you.”

didn’t drive

is this

need to

[hate being

“Did you kiss her?”

“No,” Thea said.

Kai looked at her.

I was aching for you. I don’t ever want to kiss anyone else. The thought makes me

hand on her leg.

say that to me,” Thea said, a smile growing on her

wanted to say it to you every day for years. Whether you were mad, happy, fighting me, or laughing with me. It was so hard to keep it in. I love you, Thea. You’re

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