Chapter 177- Morning

Rhye lay awake for a long time, listening to the rhythmic sound of Livia’s breathing in the other room. He’d more than half-expected her to get up when she thought they were unaware, so he waited, but she never did.

Instead, she cried, then fell asleep.

Many thought Rhye to be a cold, uncaring son of a bitch. And they were right. The only people he gave a fuck about were his brother and friends. But the sound of the witch suppressed tears, and the image of her in that room, alone, tore at him. He knew somehow the woman was hurt, so badly hurt that it was rooted in her soul.

Just as his resolve to ignore it, and the certainty that it was a ruse, began to fracture, just as he was on the verge of going to her, his brother yelled a good night’s wish and transformed her tears into laughter.

She’d returned the sentiment, calling out to Viper, then Fear. When the soft melody of her voice filtered through the walls to extend a good night to him as well, surprise and a flicker of confusion had