Incendiary (Inferno 4)

Chapter Nineteen

When I turn around to face Skylar, she looks curious enough, which is a good thing.

At least it’s not fear or disgust—if she shows either, I’ll beat her black and blue and toss her into the fucking oubliette.

“This belonged to my mother,” I tell her quietly as I walk over to her. “Take your clothes off, Skylar, and put this on.”

I hand the outfit to her, and she stands up, presumably still unaware of what I’ve handed her, but does as she’s told.

She’s being a good girl.

My good girl.

She’s going to make me proud.

I make my way toward the bed and sit down next to her where she’s piling her clothes and run a hand down her back.

Such a pure, soft, young girl.

With as much as I think about Darby, she wouldn’t have been worthy enough to wear this and I finally understand that now.

I let my hand fall to my side and watch as she struggles to pull the tunic over her head.

I chuckle as I lean forward and help her shimmy it down her slim frame.

When it drops down her body and covers her toes, I smile.

She’s not nearly as old as Taylee was when she took her vows, but things are different now.

“Skylar?” I ask as I smooth out the wrinkles around her stomach.

“Yes, Daddy?”

“How old are you these days?”

“Fifteen.”

“And how old is your brother?”

“Sixteen.”

Jesus, I’m getting old.

Something I should have realized the first time I had to go out and buy her some feminine products the first time she told me she was bleeding.

“Old enough, then. Alright pull the veil over your head and let’s get you downstairs. I’m sure your brother is probably climbing the walls by now,” I remark with an eye roll.

When I get to my feet I wince and put a hand to my stomach. The pain is getting worse each passing day, but I’ve been doing a good job of hiding it from them.

They need to worry about themselves, and I know these kids don’t give a fuck about me, so I keep my ailments to myself and do the best I can.

I guess I’m more like Taylee than I would like to think.

She hid her mental shit from me for so long that when I finally realized what was wrong with her, it was too late. I had already made up my mind that she needed to be put down and nothing was going to stop me.

I give Skylar a once over, then drop my hand from my stomach when I realize she’s looking at me curiously.

“Alright, let’s get you married,” I say, holding out a hand to her.