Chapter 18
“Bea?” Her name on his lips moved her more than she wanted to admit so instead of focusing on that, she shoved the spoon into his mouth. She watched him to see how he chewed the potato. When she was satisfied that he was okay with the heavier food, she began telling him of that night, in between each spoonful of potato.
“I was there the night of the fire. I was in the library, across the open courtyard from the game room. You and Alpha Leo were in a heated discussion as you played darts. I watched Rebecca’s head Chambermaid stop outside the door. I thought it odd, so stopped working on Prince Alec’s shirt and watched as she poured liquid into both your glasses before entering. But-” She stopped then and put the spoon aside. Cleaning the sides of Dax’s mouth with a napkin.
She was disappointed in her past actions. Had she been earlier, fought harder to leave then maybe her Master wouldn’t be an invalid right now.
was
“But when I tried to leave, Prince Alec slapped me. I sewing his cuffs for the party later that night in honor of our Luna, Goddess be with her, and I accidentally pricked him when I went to leave. He wouldn’t let me talk. I promise you Master, I tried but he wouldn’t let me leave until I finished his cuff.”
“It’s fine Bea, go on. What happened? I don’t… remember that night. I only know that an accident happened, and I was injured.”
She made a noise in her throat. She knew exactly what happened. “Well, by the time I made it to the game room doors, there was black smoke billowing out from under the door. The handle burnt me, but I was able to get it open and Alpha Leo was on the floor crawling towards the door. He was already covered in black smoke and his hair was tinged but I was able to help him get to the stairs in the courtyard. And then he-“
She paused again. Guilt riding her hard. “He demanded I go back for you. I told him he was more important, but he used his Alpha to command me to go back and do anything to get you out of the fire.”
Dax’s eyes were wide, and his eyebrows had lifted high on his forehead. Would he believe her? Would he want her near him after he hears what happens
next?
“So, I ran back but the flames had engulfed the doorway. Through the fire I could see you unconscious on the couch. I jumped through when I thought I had enough room but… the fire still got me. I made it through and used the flower pitcher to douse myself before making my way back to you. It hurt and I could feel my skin tighten across my face and my eyelid swelled shut almost immediately. But… I pulled and tugged but you were so heavy.”
She couldn’t explain why she was emotional, but she was. She had so much guilt over that night but also so much fear.”
“It took so long to get you off the couch that the flames were blocking any access for me to drag you out. Instead, I rolled you out onto the balcony, as the flames licked across the wood towards us. So, I had to either shove you over the railing or let you burn.”
She looked up at his shocked face and noticed that he’d turned his head and was looking at her straight on. He looked so angry. His nose was snarled up and his mouth was in a grimace, and she knew he would hate her, but she continued anyway.
Wife. “So, I shoved you.”
