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Simone threw her legs off the side of the bed and stood. Five steps to the right, and she was in the quarters common room. Hand on the wall for seven steps to the comfy. With the cold fabric under a searching palm, she slid a hand down the backrest until she rested her fingers on the seat before she lowered her ass into it.
The conversation with Izzy haunted Simone so much that she couldn’t sleep.
Her breath rushed out of her, and she couldn’t suck in enough air to satisfy. Gasping, she pressed a hand to her chest and willed herself to calm. Izzy had always been there for her. And though Simone had resented it, the promise Dad had forced from Izzy had brought comfort. Blinded in a visual-orientated world was harder with no family.
The accident wasn’t Izzy’s fault, but Simone hadn’t taken the time to convince her sister of this. She’d liked having someone to blame. And now Izzy was gone. Determination had saturated her voice. She wasn’t coming back.
Added to the coldness inside Simone at having pushed away her last family member were waves of debilitating fear at the thought of having her eyes healed.
“Ensa?” Danic kneeled beside her, bringing his warmth and enticing cologne.
Throwing out a hand, she found his bare chest and splayed her fingers across it. “I’m sorry I woke you.”
“What is it?”
She closed her useless eyes, as if bearing the pain with her eyelids open increased the intensity. In the same boat as Izzy at apologizing over and over, Simone yearned to undo her actions. She’d think twice before lashing out at Izzy, who’d wallowed in guilt for years. Or before swinging the shovel that had stolen two days of Danic’s life. And the sweetheart had stayed with her when he realized she couldn’t see. Out of pity.
“Just—” The sob squeezed her throat, and she curled in on herself, trying to stem the tears.
Forgive yourself first, Izzy.
Simone trembled. Demanding her sister forgive herself for something she didn’t do was idiotic, but it was tied to Simone needing Izzy’s forgiveness for making her believe it was her fault. The umbrella whack on her ass had stung, but it hadn’t been hard enough to tumble her down the embankment. That she had done herself, chasing after a book.
Her fault her ankle had snapped.
Her fault she had slammed into the tree.
Her fault she was blind.
And now her fault she stayed blind.
Squaring her shoulders, she ignored the tears and wrapped her arms around Danic. “Please take me to Brynr. It is time to fix my eyes.” Her nostrils burned with more unspent tears when he helped her to stand. This would be her gift to Izzy, to say sorry.
“You are in your sleep tunic, ensa.”
She laughed between hiccups and sniffs, her heart lighter than it had been in years. “It’s early in the morning, Danic, how many men will see me?”
Excitement swept through her, barreling over her twitching fingers, the hairs rising across her skin, and the dark whispers in her soul. What lay ahead for her, she couldn’t say. But she did know, she would start with her sister and build the relationship they should have had.
The one Mom and Dad would have wanted.
But when Danic ushered her onto the cold, hard floor of the passage, she winced, wishing she had thought to wear shoes. He swept her into his arms, striding with enough force to whip her hair off her cheeks. She clung to him, burying her nose in the angle of his neck, needing his warmth to hold back the chill.
“You were right.” She chuckled. “Clothes would’ve been wise.”
“I can—” He hesitated, jarring her.
“No, it’s fine. Let’s do this before my courage fails.” No man had held her in years, so being in someone’s strong embrace was heaven sent. She cherished his hugs and touches. How did you two meet? She was so desperate for a hug, she hit the first man she met with a shovel. A giggle slipped free, more to do with her nervousness than the silly scenario she was imagining.
“Lady Simmy? Are you unwell?”
She wiggled for Danic to release her. His hold tightened before he huffed and lowered her feet to the floor.
“Medic Brynr, your offer to fix my eyes, is it still available?”
The male gasped, and she smiled, facing his voice.
“Of course, milady.”
She held out her hand, and someone gripped it, tugging her forward with breathtaking gentleness. “Then, I am all yours.”
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