To ruin an Omega novel Chapter 291

Chapter 291: Elicit

FIA

The lie landed in front of me like a gift. I took it.

"I know it is a bit hypocritical to be angry."

My voice came out quieter than I meant it to. I forced myself to meet his eyes, to hold his gaze even though guilt was already crawling up my throat.

"I feel guilty for being angry."

I let the shield drop. Just enough. Just a crack in the wall I had built around my side of the bond so he could feel what I needed him to feel. The guilt poured through, real and sharp, and I watched his expression shift as it hit him.

"But I am still mad at you. Mad at you for somehow blinding that girl."

The words felt wrong in my mouth, but I kept going.

"I’m mad because I know it is technically my fault."

Cian opened his mouth to argue, but I raised my hand.

"Everyone knows how magical healing works. Time has ticked and is still ticking. That girl might never see again."

"I didn’t want you to know."

His voice dropped low. The regret in it twisted something in my chest.

"Well I do now."

I wrapped my arms around myself, squeezing tight like I could hold all the pieces together.

"And I know... I know it is not your fault. You just wanted to do right by me."

My throat tightened. I had to force the next words out.

"But I cannot help but feel that I had a hand in that girl... In that girl not seeing ever again."

The guilt surging through the bond was not entirely manufactured. Part of me did feel terrible. Not for the reason I was pretending, but for lying to him like this. For using our connection to sell a story that was not true.

But he bought it. I could see it in the way his shoulders dropped, in the way his whole body seemed to cave inward.

Ronan was watching from near the door. He looked uncomfortable, like he wanted to be anywhere else.

Cian closed the distance between us and pulled me against his chest. His arms came around me, solid and warm.

"I’m sorry."

The words rumbled through his chest into mine.

"It is not your fault."

His hand found the back of my head, fingers threading through my hair.

"I’ll carry your guilt for you. Just let it go."

I hugged him back. Over his shoulder, I caught Ronan’s eyes first, then Morrigan’s. Both of them looked strained. Ronan’s jaw was tight. Morrigan gave the smallest nod.

I pressed my face into Cian’s chest and focused on slowing my breathing. In and out. Steady. His hand stroked down my hair in a rhythm that should have been soothing.

The seconds stretched. I counted them in my head while I broke the shield back down, piece by piece, until the bond felt normal again. Enough at least.

When I finally stepped back, Cian kept one hand on my shoulder.

"Was anything wrong with you?" His brow furrowed slightly. "You came here for a checkup."

"It was nothing."

Maren’s voice came from behind us. I had almost forgotten she was still there.

"It was just ghost pain. She is fine."

Cian looked into my eyes. Really looked, like he could see through skin and bone straight into whatever truth I was hiding. I made myself hold his gaze. Made myself breathe normally.

"We should go."

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify