Chapter 13
Wyatt listened silently as Nev spoke of her childhood, father’s death, and who she was. He knew Nev had been keeping something secret from him. It was hardly something he could blame her for. After all, he hadn’t immediately told her about being a Tink. This, however, was so much more than he could have ever imagined.
As incredible as it all sounded, he believed her. All the pieces were starting to fit into place now. It explained why this prowler had an unnatural obsession with her, the strange amulet she carried, and the various survival skills she had. It also made the walls she built around herself understandable and explained all of the guilt and pain she carried.
To witness something so tragic at such a young age and then to be thrust into the unknown—all alone—would have utterly destroyed most people. Undoubtedly, through sheer will, Nev had survived. She had not, however, survived unscathed. Her past had left deep and terrible wounds.
Nev was sitting with her knees pulled close to her chest, and her head buried between them. She had her arms wrapped tightly around herself and was rocking, ever so slightly. She’d tried, in vain, to hold back her tears and now found herself sobbing quietly and unable to stop them.
Wyatt moved closer to her and pulled her towards him, surprisingly she offered no resistance and collapsed into him. She clung to him as she continued crying with her face pressed against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her gently. Then, he simply let her cry.
Nev had held in so many tears for so many long years, and now they were free. Powerless to stop them, she sobbed against Wyatt’s chest. She cried tears for her father, who suffered to keep her safe. For a mother, that tragedy and betrayal kept her from knowing. Tears for the little boy she’d always known hadn’t survived long after his reunion with his family. Tears for all the women whose suffering paid the price for her to remain hidden. Lastly, she cried for herself, and the long road she’d walked alone.
Wyatt didn’t know how long they sat like that in the growing darkness, with Nev’s fingers gripping at him tightly as she whimpered softly against his chest. He’d held her snugly as he watched the fire slowly die down to just a few lingering embers. Taking a deep breath, he focused his mind on the last of the glowing coals. Suddenly, a warm fire sprung from them. The flames ignited a few pieces of unscathed wood, and he felt the warmth of the fire begin to stretch out into the cave once more.He could still feel Nev’s fingers gripping at him tightly as she whimpered softly against his chest.
Wyatt struggled to keep his eyes open and decided they could both benefit from some sleep. In response, he carefully laid down, making sure not to let go of Nev. He pulled her with him to the ground and felt her adjust for a moment before becoming still. With her resting quietly, Wyatt fell asleep with Nev at the forefront of his thoughts—just like he had every night since she had first stumbled into his life.
Chapter 14
It was late in the morning before either of them stirred. It wasn’t raining outside, but the air outside was still damp and cool. With Wyatt’s attention to the fire, the cave had remained dry and warmer than the outside air.
Wyatt woke first, although he was in no hurry to act on that. He kept his eyes closed as his mind flirted with the idea of falling back asleep, and he drifted in and out of sleep for several long minutes. As Wyatt felt Nev shift her body, he suddenly realized she was still in his embrace and smiled warmly. He contemplated if she might prefer to not wake up like that. Eventually, he decided it was better not to disturb her than it was to risk waking her by trying to move his arm out from under her. For the next hour, he laid quietly and listened to her breathing and the rain fading.
Nev stretched a bit as she slowly began to wake. She gradually became aware of her surroundings as she allowed herself to ease into wakefulness. Nev could feel Wyatt’s heartbeat upon her cheek and his warm breath on the top of her head. She suddenly felt surprised and worried to find him still holding her close. Remaining still, she took in a long, deep breath.
The night before, she had laid her soul bare, something she had never done before. Feelings of anxiety washed over her as she began to worry over how Wyatt was going to react to everything she’d told him. Maybe he had only remained through the night due to some sense of obligation or pity. Nev suddenly felt undeserving of his embrace and moved to sit up. She glanced at him and then walked outside, standing for several minutes in the sunshine before moving to sit upon a fallen log nearby.
Wyatt watched her quietly exit the cave and followed her out a couple of minutes later. He found her sitting upon the remnants of a fallen tree and sat down beside her. Noticing her hand resting on the log between them, he reached down to gently squeeze it. He was relieved when he felt her squeeze his hand in response. “I know telling me wasn’t easy, but I’m truly glad you did. I hope you’re glad you did
