TANGLED, genya safin

chapter nineteen.

I let out a bitter laugh, "Why do you sound so surprised? After all.." I scowled and motioned to the color of her kefta, "You are wearing red."

Genya pulled away and my hand fell onto the blanket, "Freya." She whispered, "I only did what I thought was right."

I shook my head, "do you know what it's like to feel like everything has been ripped away from you? I feel completely and utterly useless. Just a few days ago, I could summon sunlight and
the next it is taken away from me."

I closed my eyes and turned my head away, "I should have known," I whispered, "I should have known from the beginning that the Darkling was planning on using Alina and me."

"I shouldn't have let my feelings get in the way and most importantly," I sucked in a breath and turned to face her, "you should have warned me."

Genya's ocean eyes were filled with regret, "I wanted to—" she paused swallowing, "I wanted to warn you, more than anything." she grabbed my hand, "Believe me, Freya, I would have but the Darkling—" she clenched her jaw.

My body thrummed from her touch and suddenly I felt as if everything that has happened in the past few weeks has been a mere memory, a nightmare. My heart skipped a beat, but this time, there was no one to come barging in and ruin the moment. Genya was looking at me the way she looked at David.

Like I was her everything, saints I want to be hers. But then it came crashing back, reality came back and I had to pull my hand away from hers, and I swear when I did I saw her eyes flash with anger, pain, and sadness all in one.

"The Darkling has done a lot for me, Freya." Genya's voice wavered, "And I owe him,"

"I never meant to hurt you." She whispered, "But it was my choice, and I made it." She pushed herself closer to me, "I—" her eyes flickered to my lips, but then she pulled away.

"I would have done it again... for you." she got to her feet, "Now please, do not make this more difficult. I'm already guilty for what I have done to you and Alina."

I looked up at Genya from the cot, "As you should, Genya Safin." I paused, "I may not know why you chose to betray us, but I will not hold it against you. You have your reasons and I respect that.... but I would also assume it is because of the king?"

Genya didn't have to respond because I already knew the answer to that question in my heart. "I got my revenge." she said, "he has paid his price, and now I shall pay mine."

By fighting on the wrong side of the war, I thought. It shattered my heart to think about it, and a part of me wanted to be angry with her, to hate her but I knew I couldn't. I didn't want to hate her.

"David feels horrible..." Genya said, "He hates himself for what he did to you."

"It isn't his fault," I whispered, "the Darkling probably forced him to."

Genya gave me a sharp look, "You don't really believe that." Distress was clearly written on her face, though she tried to hide it. Was there a warning there as well?

I thought of the Darkling's threats, "No," I said hollowly. "Of course not." I swallowed, "but a part of me wonders..." I trailed off.

I knew the look she gave me, but her brows cleared anyways, and she forced a smile, a beautiful yet terrified smile. "For what it's worth," I started, "tell David I forgive him."