Chapter 92: How to Pick Men

Ravyn POV

You couldn't heal someone who didn't want to be healed.

One last piece of dark energy clung to Marieke's heart despite the amethyst and all of the healing energy Ravyn poured into the woman. 

"What does that energy feel like?" she asked Marieke.

Drawing out her words, Marieke said, "A big paperweight pressing on my heart. Like the piece of the ship that held me down when I was marooned on that godforsaken island. It took me days to loosen it."

"How did you do it?" Keep her talking. Keep her engaged. 

Marieke related her story of courage. Lying on the rocky beach of Abandonnado Island, trapped beneath a large piece of the ship's hull. It saved her life when she clung to it to ride out the storm, but it kept her imprisoned when it fell on top of her as she washed up on the beach. She remembered the roar of the waves as they hurled the heavy wood like someone throwing a stick. She remembered lying on a bed of rocks, her skin scraped and bruised. 

She told Ravyn about the shells she used to dig herself free. "I tried all kinds of shells," she confided. "Scallops were the best. But sometimes I'd use a conch shell. Nautiluses were beautiful but not good for digging. I couldn't even light a fire to warm myself or send up a signal. I prayed for rescue. Dig, pray, dig, pray. And eat crabs I crushed, and seaweed." She made a face. "Understandably, when Melisande … when HADES found me, I was lured by the promise of companionship as well as freshly cooked food. I'm not the greatest hunter, and I ate the fish and coconuts to sustain myself …"

Good. This was good. The dark piece, as pure as obsidian, slowly started to dissolve. Marieke sounded more comfortable.

"Daxius was a better companion than Hades," Marieke went on. "He even drank the coconut water I offered. Although he liked my herbal tea."

The soft tone of voice, as well as remembering the earlier jealousy in Marieke's eyes, made Ravyn touch her arm gently. "You make Daxius happy. He's been worried about you. You saved him, too. That's a unique bond. What the two of you went through on that island, none of us can understand. Including me.

Marieke's eyes narrowed. "Let me ask you something. If you know all that, why did you walk away from Jude and cling to Daxius?"

Ravyn sighed. "It wasn't walking away forever."

"Then what was it?"

About to retort that this had nothing to do with Marieke's healing, Ravyn stopped herself and humored the woman. Looking secretive would just make Marieke retreat, and destroy the progress they'd made.

"I was trying to get through to Hades. To … to relate to him. That's what we often do in healing. Hades has to feel understood."

Marieke's body violently trembled. "I see."

"No matter what he's done, I have to try to empathize with him. Not to say, 'All is forgiven,' but to reach him," Ravyn explained. "He won't trust me otherwise. He knows he's the enemy, and he's already put walls up. Jude is a negotiator–I thought he'd understand."

"I can see why he was angry," Marieke said thoughtfully. "He's a protector."

Ravyn's heart sank. "Oh. Yes, he is."

She might just owe Jude a huge apology. Not for who she was as a witch, or for her beliefs, but for not understanding his protectiveness. And for reacting like a spoiled child at the mention of Emer. Jude had loved his wife. Something to honor him for always, not just when it suited her.

"Hades/Melisande used my feelings for Daxius to manipulate me," Marieke went on. "And kept me in that terrible tower and on this island, when anyone decent would have tried to help me leave. You all were willing to take me with you–to bring me back to a real bed, a real home, people, and my homeland. Hades/Melisande needed a servant, and someone to keep Daxius on a leash."

With a small smile, Ravyn said, "No one does that. Not me, not anyone."

Marieke spat in Hades' direction. "He tried."

Ravyn swallowed the sickening feeling. "And I loathe him, too. But if I don't get through to him, more people will suffer. He can't break the Dark Goddess' chains without help."

"And that's noble." Marieke relaxed, and the black swatch dissolved like lingering smoke. "But do you really see the good in him?"

Ravyn grimaced. "Not really. Other than his ties to my Garnet and Cyran, and our other Sinsworth family … he is responsible for them being born. But that's just an accident of nature. We can't choose our blood relatives."

"So, no good in him?"

Scratching her head, Ravyn admitted, "None. I'm sure there must have been at some point. I'm coming up empty. He's intelligent and determined, but that's hardly an endorsement.The only thing I know is, he's trapped for eternity, in torment–but considering everything, that's not a badge of honor."

From across the room, Hades made a wolfish growl. "Wise witch."

Marieke hissed, "Wiser than you deserve. You have no shame!"

Hades just chuckled and then fell silent.

Marieke's eyes, the green of healing jade, looked into Ravyn's. "Don't let him drive a wedge between you and Jude, a good man who just wants to protect his loved ones and his pack." Impishly, she added, "You do know how to pick men … AAAH!"

With a golden burst of energy followed by a shimmering violet glow, Marieke was free of the curse. Daxius, with the speed of a dragonet, came to Marieke's side and took her hands in his. "My love, you're free. And no more jealousy, hmmm?"

Marieke's voice trembled. "Do you love me, or do you love Ravyn still–as your soulmate?"