Chapter 10

Chapter Ten

NYX

Present Day

Stars she was warm and comfortable.

When was the last time she’d slept so well?

Nyx snuggled deeper into the bed, pressing her face into the pillow, savoring how incredible it smelled. It rumbled and she frowned. That wasn’t right. She opened her eyes and sucked in a sharp breath.

It was most definitely not a pillow, but a large, muscular chest that she was sprawled across.

Nyx gasped and tried to sit up, but Briggs’ hand on her hip kept her pinned to his side.

“Not yet, love, just a few moments longer.” His deep voice washed over her.

She placed a hand on his chest and stared down at Briggs who peered up at her through sleepy eyes, a small smile curling his plush lips.

“What the devil?” she whispered, shaking her head. “What are you doing ?”

Briggs reached up with his left hand and pushed a lock of unruly hair from her face, before cupping her cheek. “What I should have done a long time ago, mate.”

Mate. It seemed to echo in her ears.

“But I’m not…”

“Yes, you are. You always have been.”

Soul-wracking sobs burst from Nyx and she scrambled out of the bed, the sheets tangling around her feet. She stumbled and caught herself on the windowsill as Briggs rose from the bed.

Pointing a shaking finger at him, she cried, “Don’t you dare!” It was as if the whole world had tilted. She’d seen Briggs sleep rumpled before but not because he’d slept the night with her.

Her mind screeched to a halt.

He. Slept. The. Night. With. Her.

She scanned him from head to toe, then scoured the room for restraints of any kind.

None.

“How?” she choked out.

“Your serum.” The room seemed to drop out from around her. He held a hand out to her. “It worked.”

Another horrible sob escaped her, and Nyx slapped her hands over her mouth to try to contain the sound.

Briggs took another step in her direction. “Take a breath, Nyx.”

“But you said…”

“I know, and I was wrong. I was so caught up in my own fear. But it works.”

“I know it works!” she yelled. “Do you think I could have taken disappointing you one more time? I’ve spent every spare moment in the last four years searching for others like you—to discover herbs that could help create a draught that could help you all live a better life. After our last attempt a year ago, I knew I couldn’t let you down again.” She angrily brushed away her tears. “Then you tossed it away like it was trash—like I was rubbish.”

Pain creased his expression. “That’s not what I… I’m sorry. I overreacted and you bore the brunt of it.”

It was more than that. “You accused me of trying to drug you, of trying to trick you!”

Brine burst into the room, glaring at the two of them. “My wife and daughter are currently sleeping but not for long if you continue to shout the house down.” He glanced between her and Briggs and gave the blasted bear a smile. “Congrats, old friend.” He nodded and disappeared back out the door.

That bastard.

Nyx stormed from the room—as well as someone could on tiptoes—and out the front door without closing it behind her. She practically raced toward the nearest beach, Briggs’ steady steps following her. The warm morning sand greeted her bare feet and grew cooler as she reached the ocean’s edge.

“I’ve never known you to be one to run, Nyx.”

She spun on her heel, scowling. “I’m not running.”

“Yes, you are. I know what it looks like. I’ve been doing it for years since Pyre rescued me from the pits.” Briggs strode through the white sand to her and stopped just before her. Nyx tipped her head back to stare up at him, feeling like the world was off-balance. “I’ve thrown myself into helping others to atone for my mistakes and to avoid what haunts me. I never wanted to look back, but I didn’t know how to move forward either.”

“I was there, trying to help you!”

“I know.” He seized her face, his touch desperate. “You have always been a bright spot in my life, my very best friend. I’ve just never let myself hope for or imagine anything else.” Briggs smiled and leaned down until his forehead touched her own. “You’ve given me hope. You’ve given me everything.”

Nyx shook her head. “If this is all true, why wait so long to come to me? It’s been three months.”

“Because I had to be sure.”

“You didn’t believe me?” She jerked back.

“I did.” Briggs didn’t let her go far, wrapping an arm around her waist. “I’ve always trusted you.”

“That’s not what you said.” It hurt even to remember it.

“Words that I have regrated saying each day since.” He touched her chin and lifted it so she met his serious gaze. “I’m so sorry for the hurt I’ve caused. I know it’s no excuse, but I wasn’t in my right mind that day in the infirmary. All I could see was you being tortured, the Mistress standing over you, and the blue drugs.” Shame filled his eyes. “I reacted poorly. Honestly, I was having a hard time telling what was real and what wasn’t.” He shook his head, his dark braids swaying between them. “I will forever be making up for my mistakes if you’ll let me. Know that from this day forward I intend only to bring joy into your life.”

“Not possible,” she retorted on another sob. How could she believe him?

Briggs grinned. “I’ll try my best at least, if you’ll let me.”

“I don’t know if I can.”

“I’ve known you a long time, Nyx. You and I both know that’s not true. You are kind, generous, loving, strong, courageous, and forgiving.”

No, she wasn’t. “So I’m just supposed to forgive you? Like you never ripped my heart out? Like you never accused me of being like your Mistress?”

Briggs blanched. “No! I have and never will compare you to her. As I said before, I trust you.” He released her chin and dipped into his pocket, pulling another blue vial out. Briggs held it up between them. “You wanted to know why I didn’t come sooner? It wasn’t because I didn’t believe or trust you. It’s because I wanted to make sure that I could trust myself.” His throat bobbed. “I wanted to make sure that I was the kind of man you deserved.”

More tears flooded her eyes. “I never asked you to be anything other than yourself.”

“I know, love. But you were right in accusing me of being stuck in the past. I’ve buried myself in healing to atone for my sins. While I love it, and it’s given me peace, I’ve never truly dealt with what I experienced in the pits. So I sought out the help of a mental healer that Tempest suggested.”

Nyx blinked up at him. A mental healer? “And?”

He exhaled, and glanced down at the damp sand, the ocean lapping gently around their feet. “It opened wounds that have been festering for far too long. But it’s been cleansing too. I think the terrors will always lurk in the back of my mind, but they won’t control my life.” Briggs put the serum back in his pocket before taking her right hand and bringing it to his lips. He kissed her knuckles tenderly before meeting her gaze once again. “I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I’ll wait forever if that’s what it takes.”

This man was going to ruin her.

He already has.

She wanted to forgive him. He’d never been a cruel soul. But she needed to know one more thing.

“The mark.” Nyx pushed her hair back so he could see it. “You’re not just saying these things because you feel obligated to me? Because if that’s the case, I’ll be walking away right?—”

Briggs kissed her. The type of kiss that stole your breath and set your soul aflame. She clutched his shirt between her fists as his thick arms banded around her waist.

“You are what I’ve dreamed of for five years. You’re my best friend and dearest love,” he breathed against her lips. “You will never be an obligation but the ultimate blessing of my life.” Her sweet bear began kissing away her tears as they fell. “If you’ll have me, I promise to sleep next to you every night.”

She cried harder.

“To cheat at cards to beat your brother so you can win.”

She half-laughed and half-hiccupped.

“To wash the sage and boil it while you’re out so you don’t have to smell it.”

Stars, she hated the scent of sage.

“To never raise a hand or voice to you when we argue.”

Nyx could never see him doing that.

Her tears slowed but Briggs never stopped kissing her face.

“To cherish any wee ones that might come from our mating.” A pause. “And I want many.” A slight growl to that promise made Nyx shiver. “To love you until we both are dust and we’re just memories on the wind.”

“And if I say no?” she forced herself to say.

“Then I will be your very best friend and protector for the rest of our lives. But know this, there will be no other for me.”

Nyx sank her fingers into his braids, her decision already made. Briggs had always been it for her.

She’d found her mate at the age of sixteen.

“Well then, I suppose there’s only one thing left to do.” Nyx beamed.

“What’s that?”

“For you to find someone to marry us and then take me back to bed.”

She squeaked as he swung her up into his arms and began running toward the house.

For once, everything was perfect.

Thank you so much for reading THE HEALER.

Stay tuned for The Rogue!