Chapter 47: Disowned (2)

Isolde stared at him.

Her father. The man who had held her as a child. Who had taught her to ride. Who had told her she could be anything.

He was looking at her like she was nothing.

She opened her mouth to say something then closed it.

No. He had to know.

"You stopped caring the moment I couldn’t do anything for you."

Lord Rowan’s expression flickered. Just for a moment.

Then it was gone.

"Goodbye, Isolde."

He turned and walked away.

Lady Marisse lingered, her eyes moving to Emeric. Then back to Isolde.

"You should have stayed quiet," she said. "You should have been grateful for what you were given."

Isolde’s brother didn’t move. He stood there. Staring at his sister.

"Freidrick?"

She said almost in a whisper.

She looked at him and he looked away. Then he turned and walked out after Marissa.

Isolde sat in the hallway.

Her hands were in her lap. Her eyes were fixed on the door.

She didn’t move.

Emeric crossed to her, kneeling in front of her chair.

"Isolde."

She didn’t respond.

"Isolde. Look at me."

She did.

"I have no family," she said.

"You have me."

She looked at him and her lips parted.

"You have me," he said again. "You will always have me."

She stared at him for a long moment.

Then her face crumpled.

He caught her. Pulled her into his arms and held her as she sniffled.

"Yesterday. I thought I was dying. I felt it." She said, making him release her and look at her, his hands still on the small of her back.

"What?"

"In my chest. I felt a type of pain. I didn’t know what it was. I thought—" She stopped. Swallowed. "I thought something was wrong. But I didn’t know what."

He said nothing. His hand stilled on her back.

She continued.

"Then I thought of you. And the pain went away."

He waited for her to continue.

Was it the curse ? No. That had to have been when he was poisoned. This was not random at all.

"I don’t know what it means."

He couldn’t say either but he had an idea.

The Bond.

She lifted her head and looked at him.

"Emeric."

"Yes."

She opened her mouth and closed it again.

"I—"

He waited but she looked away.

"I can’t."

"Can’t what?"

She shook her head. "I can’t get used to this. I’m afraid."

"Afraid of what?"

"Afraid that if I say it enough times, it will become real. And if it becomes real, then I’ll have something to lose."

He touched her face, turned her to look at him.

"You already have something to lose."

"I know." Her voice broke. "That’s what scares me."

He looked at her, really looked.

"I love you."

"I love you," he said again. "I don’t know when it started. But I love you. And I’m not afraid to say it."

Her eyes filled with tears.

"You’re not?"

"No." He touched her face. "Because having you is worth the fear of losing you. It’s worth everything."

She stared at him for a short moment.

Then she leaned in and pressed her forehead to his.

"I love you," she whispered.

He closed his eyes.

"I love you too."

---

[DEVOTION LOGGED: CONFESSION OF LOVE — MUTUAL VULNERABILITY]

[DP AWARDED: +10]

[BOND METER: 79 → 82]

Later that evening.

The healing hall was quiet after the debacle that had occurred.

Isolde had gone out to speak with Healer Maren about the discharge process. Emeric sat on the edge of the bed, Nyxie curled in his lap. His body still ached, but he could move without wanting to collapse. That was progress.

The door opened and Tatia entered.

She carried a small bag and wore her usual practical dress. Her eyes swept the room before settling on him. She crossed to the bed and set the bag down.

"You look better than I expected."

"I feel worse than I look."

"That’s usually how it goes." She pulled up a stool and sat. "Your wife told me what happened. You were poisoned. Very dramatic business."

"I try."

She didn’t smile. But her eyes softened.

"I’m glad you’re alive Lord Halden."

"Tatia. I wanted to thank you."

"For what?"

"For taking care of her. While I was gone." He paused. "I know it was only three days. But I also know she doesn’t trust easily. And she let you in. That means something."

Tatia inclined her head. "She’s a strong woman. She doesn’t need much. Just someone to be there."

"That’s what I couldn’t do." His voice was quiet. "I couldn’t be there."

"You were doing what you had to do."

"I know." He met her eyes. "But that doesn’t make it easier."

Emeric reached for the backpack beside his bed.

It had been brought with him from the camp. Maybe one of the servants had retrieved it. He hadn’t looked inside yet. He hadn’t had the chance.

He opened it. Rumaged through it.

His fingers found the pouch of coins he’d brought but it was empty.

He sat back and let out a slow breath.

"Tatia."

"I’m sorry."

"For what?"

"I haven’t been paid for the Hunt yet." He met her eyes. "The winnings. The gold. It hasn’t been delivered. I don’t have it."

She blinked. "That’s what you’re worried about?"

"I promised to pay you. And I will. But I can’t today."

"Emeric." Her voice was firm. "I didn’t come here expecting payment. I came here because your wife needed me."

"I know. But I hired you. That means I owe you."

She was quiet for a moment then she nodded in agreement.

"Fine. You owe me. I’ll collect. When you have it."

He let out a breath. "Thank you."

"Don’t thank me. Just pay me." But there was a hint of warmth in her voice.

"When can you come back?" he asked.

"Tomorrow. If you’re discharged."

"I should be."

"Then I’ll be at the house by seven. Same as always."

He nodded as she stood up from where she was seated to pick up her bag.

"Get some rest Lord Halden and don’t worry your wife."

"Thank you Tatia."

He watched her close the door behind him.

The events of the last few days almost felt like a dream.

He pulled up the system. He needed to catch up on everything he had missed. Every new skill he had gained. He was about to embark on a new Chapter and he needed to get infinitely stronger.

Isolde’s life was still at stake even though he had gotten a component for her cure.