Betrayed Read Online Free

to believe it, but yes.” On shaky feet, I rose to standing. “But I should be in there sending them healings. Maybe it’s possible to save them all.” But deep down I didn’t believe that. I knew if it was their time I could not help them. No matter how powerful I was.
    Together we made our way back to the others.
    It was hard not to take them out and hold them but I didn’t dare risk it.
    We spent the night in the basement with Henrek. I wondered if that man ever slept. All night he was up writing in his charts and looking through his microscopes.
    Michael and I dozed off a couple of times—the hum of the tanks was relaxing, and the babies were sleeping. Suddenly, a loud beep startled me awake.
    My heart sank as I watched Henrek pull two more lifeless babies out of the tank. We were down to five. Why was this happening? I found myself frantically searching to make sure it wasn’t the baby with the different colored eyes. As if he knew I was searching for him, he swam up to the tank, his tiny lips tilted up slightly. Was he smiling at me? Dear spirits, I wanted to hold him badly. I love you, I said mentally. He moved closer. I kept my focus on him so I didn’t have to hear what was going on with the ones that didn’t make it. I didn’t have the strength to look over at their perfect little bodies. I needed to see life, hope. Please, let us keep the rest. You’ve taken enough from us.
    Michael’s shoulder brushed mine. I hadn’t even realized he’d come over. “A girl and a boy.”
    My shoulders sagged and my head dropped onto the glass. Taking a deep breath, I attempted to compose myself. I needed to see them even though it hurt so much. They deserved acknowledgement of their passing.
    Crossing the room, I dropped to my knees before their chubby little bodies. So beautiful. The girl had dark hair, greenish skin, and pale eyes. The boy’s hair was purple and his skin pale. The combination of fae and human was quite beautiful. A perfection of sorts , I thought as I ran my hand over their little hands and toes.
    “Do you think any of them will make it?” Michael asked Henrek.
    He ran his hand through his springy hair. “I don’t know. It’s not looking good. I’d really thought this time …”
    Not bothering to look up, I said, “I think the rest will live. I don’t know how long their lifespans will be, but whatever has taken the lives of the little ones, is done. I can feel it. It’s over, for now.”
    Michael let out an audible sigh of relief. If only I could feel relief. I had to find a way to push past this despair that had taken over. It made no sense to me. As I’d said before, in our realms death was celebrated. Why couldn’t I feel joy for them? Because they never really had a life? I don’t know. But I needed to shake it because I was of no help if I was unable to function properly.
    “We should go to our rooms and get some sleep. Tomorrow we need to help the others. Henrek, take care of the bodies. In the morning we’ll bury them with their siblings.”
    “Are you okay?” Michael asked as we made our way back to the main floor.
    “No,” I answered truthfully. “But we have to keep putting one foot in front of the other. There is still much to be done.”
    “Tulupea, stop it.”
    My steps faltered. “Stop what?”
    “Stop acting like you can’t show your emotions. You lost a part of you today, we both did. This morning we found out we had seventeen offsprings. Tonight we have five. It’s okay to show your sorrow. I’m hurting, too. You can be a princess tomorrow, tonight let’s comfort each other. Okay?”
    My heart rate accelerated. His hand cupped my face, smoothed down my hair, and slowly he dropped his head until our lips brushed. It was a soft, sweet kiss.
    Taking my hand he led me into my bedroom. “Let down your walls, Tulupea. You have nothing to prove to me.”
    His arms encircled my waist. Dropping my head on his shoulder, I sobbed, crying like I’d never cried