I'M PANTING THROUGH BREATHS AND SOBS and I am in an utter state of shock.

Coriolanus lets out a grunt and it's then when I notice the gash in his back, right over his shoulder blade.

My eyes widen at the sight. My fingers go to graze around it. "Shit, Coryo, your back--"

He stiffens beneath my touch, a soft groan escaping his lips. "I'm fine. Are you?"

Mentally, I'm not okay at all but physically, yes. I nod.

"I'm so sorry, you guys," Sejanus mumbles quietly--almost like a prayer. "I'm so sorry."

I go to look up at him when I see my parent's car pull up. My mother and father stepped out and once Sejanus saw them, he limped over to our Ma. He falls apart in her arms and she holds him while he sobs. 

I feel a sense of envy inside me somewhere. I can't remember the last time either Ma or Pa hugged me or did so much as to say they were proud of me.

Before joining in on the hug, my father gives me a curt nod. Then one to Coriolanus. It's a substitute for a thank you because the bastard can't even say the words to his own daughter.

He gave me a fucking nod as a gift of gratitude for choosing to save his son's life.

My heart breaks in my chest and my bottom lip begins to quiver; threatening to pour out a sob.

I'd assume Coryo has noticed even in the moonlight because he doesn't hesitate to wraps his arms around me and pull me close to him. "I'm so sorry, Mare."

He means it and I know it has different purposes.

He means it.

He means to say I'm sorry your parents are too cruel to console you.

I'm sorry for what I've done tonight.

And I'm sorry you've fallen in love with a monster.

Coriolanus Snow is not a monster. He was merely only protecting me and he wasn't thinking clearly. It was the boy or me, and he chose me.

I let another tear slide down my cheek and onto his shirt as my arms tighten around him, wanting to be surrounded by nothing but him.

I want him to hold me like this forever where I can feel the warmth of his body radiating onto me, and I'd listen to his heartbeat thumping wildly inside of his chest and I'd smell nothing but roses and cologne.

















BLAKELY SPEAKS !

i accidentally forgot to add this to the
last chapter so oops here you go !