The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 121: His Affirmation

Jerrick carried her to a nearby bench, gently caressing her head with tenderness, not minding the pain radiating from his shoulder. The deeper her teeth sank into him, the gentler his caresses became; each stroke a silent reassurance. He sat on the bench, leaning against the wall, cradling her securely in his lap.

He whispered soothing words, his voice a balm to her wounded spirit, even as his shoulder throbbed with pain. Jerrick understood that sometimes, the path to healing began with a raw, unfiltered expression of hurt, and he was willing to bear it all for her.

Not even a minute had passed, but he felt the force of her bite lessen. The ferocity of her anger and pain waned, replaced by a hesitance, or perhaps pity, that surfaced over the turmoil she tried to suppress. Her grip on him loosened, the fierce tension in her body gradually easing.

He knew what would follow next. She hadn’t meant to hurt him, but she had, and the weight of that guilt would soon descend upon her. He could almost see the self-reproach forming in her mind, the instinct to flee from the consequences of her actions. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Anticipating her reaction, he tightened his embrace, his voice soft yet firm. "It’s okay, Jessamyn. I’m here. You don’t have to run. Let it out. Let it all out." His words were a plea for her to stay, to trust that he could handle her pain, that she didn’t need to carry it alone.

She hadn’t let out her distress yet. She was holding back. But she tried to get out of his embrace.

He braced himself for her next move, ready to offer the comfort and understanding she desperately needed, hoping to be the steady presence she could lean on amidst the chaos of her emotions.

He hugged her closer, his embrace a fortress of reassurance, and placed his hand gently on the back of her head.

"You did not hurt me, Jessamyn. It’s true..." he murmured softly.

At his words, she stopped struggling, her body slowly relaxing in his arms. She leaned on his shoulder, like a tired little bird that had finally given up after a desperate struggle to escape despite its broken wings. The fight within her seemed to drain away, replaced by an overwhelming weariness.

For a moment, they remained like that, enveloped in a fragile cocoon of shared sorrow and unsettled comfort. Her breaths came in uneven gasps, each exhale a release of pent-up anguish, as she found solace in the steady rhythm of his heartbeat and allowed herself to rest in his embrace.

"I am here..." he whispered.

Jerrick held her with unwavering gentleness, his touch a silent promise that he would be there, no matter how fierce the storm of her emotions. He knew the road to healing was long, but at this moment, he was content to be her sanctuary, offering her the peace she so desperately sought.

Rest on me, my little Songbird... Once you’re healed, you can soar again!

Jessamyn’s chest felt lighter as the anguish she had felt earlier began to dissipate. She stopped struggling, needing the warmth he was exuding. She was exhausted but no longer numb. Oddly, the numbness she had felt before his hug seemed far worse than the anguish she was now experiencing. It was a relief to be held, to let out some of the emotions that had been suffocating her.

However, her heart sank when she saw the spread of red on his shirt. She had inflicted that pain on him, and it crushed her. He might have hurt her emotionally, but he didn’t deserve this physical pain. She didn’t understand what had driven her to bite him so hard. Though he insisted she hadn’t hurt him, she knew better and felt a deep sense of regret.

She tried to pull away from his hold again, but his warm embrace enveloped her once more, lulling her into a sense of calm. It had been so long since she had been held lovingly like this. She decided to be selfish and accept the warmth he offered.

"I am here..." he said, and it was clear he meant it. She sensed only gentleness from him, a genuine desire to comfort and support her.

In his arms, she found a momentary refuge from the chaos of her emotions, allowing herself to lean into the solace he provided.

Moments passed as she remained in his embrace, the dark cloud of anguish slowly dissipating. Gradually, she became aware of a different sensation: hunger. To her dismay, her stomach growled loudly, a sound so prominent she feared it might have been heard all the way over at the palace. Her face flushed red with embarrassment.

Jerrick chuckled softly, the warmth of his laughter a stark contrast to the tension that had filled the air moments before. "Sounds like someone needs to eat," he said gently, his eyes twinkling with a mix of amusement and concern.

Jessamyn’s face burned with embarrassment, but she couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at her lips. The moment was almost surreal, a strange blend of vulnerability and the simple, undeniable human need for sustenance.

"I guess I do," she admitted softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Jerrick’s hand remained on the back of her head, his touch comforting. "Let’s get you something warm to eat," he said, his voice filled with gentle determination.

He began to stand, still holding her securely, ready to help her find the nourishment she needed. Noticing her eyes lingering painfully on his injured shoulder, he covered it with his coat.

"I’ve been in battles. This is nothing," he assured her again, his lips curved to a wide grin.

Jessamyn didn’t know how he could smile like that not knowing that he truly was happy that she was hungry. Being hungry was indeed a good sign.

He clapped for the owner and he rushed to them. Jerrick asked her what she needed and she froze. She couldn’t order food for herself for some reason. Jerrick took it upon himself to order her food and Jessamyn was awed that he remembered her childhood favorite dishes.

But seeing the cold food in front of her, a frown formed on her face.

That’s a lot of waste!