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?”

you forever. I missed you today. I couldn’t

you so far away. It drove me crazy thinking you were going to kiss her. It wasn’t jealousy. I

it since you guys wanted me to, but the thought

“Really?”

you guys, the more it hurt. The more I] wanted to come back and be with you. I love you, Conri.”

her face in his hands. “I love you more.” She smiled.

few hours. You don’t believe we’re mates. We know Misty wants you. You have no reason not to

for one big reason. I don’t want to date

buried his face in her neck. “My dad was right. We’re

say you were weak. He said you’re

I felt empty. Like

seen you cry,

said. “I can’t bear the thought of not having

said. “I need you alive and with me, okay?” She ran her hand

better than I was. I

squeezed him. “1’ll hold you until you don’t.” “Then you’ll be holding

okay with

too.” He nuzzled against

to check on

“I know.”

be okay without me

long as you’re

“Always.”

dressed, and Thea put Conri to bed. She followed Kai’s scent to his old room, knocked softly, and walked in. She sat next to him

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

Kai said. “I won’t fight with you anymore. I’1l be better, I

you, Kai. I like fighting with you. I love you exactly how you are.

love me?” Kai said

“I’ve always loved you.”

didn’t drive

Where is

the need to

don’t. [hate being

“Did you kiss her?”

“No,” Thea said.

Kai looked at her.

kiss her when I was aching for you. I don’t ever want to kiss

his hand on her leg. “I

you say that to me,” Thea said,

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 the only thing in this world

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