Shadows and The Sea - The Darkling

Luda & The Breaking Point

Percy's POV

After maybe an hour, Aleks woke me up from my nap and told me that the maids had brought in some food and it was one of the times that I was just a tad happy that West Ravka was landlocked. There was no chance of being served seafood.

We ate with a comforting air of silence between us in his war room. He had the maids set our trays on his desk since they came in when I was still asleep.

I didn't have much to say but I could feel the nerves starting to grow in the man across from me. I knew I was super anxious when I shared my story with him so I didn't expect anything less from him.

Everyone's past was different and no matter how tragic or hard his is, I made a promise to myself and him that I was going to be there and listen. Listen to him and his life because there were times when that's all I wish someone did for me.

When we were done eating, he called for the maids to clear the trays and to inform the guards that no one was to disturb him until he told them otherwise. He then ushered me back into his room where we both sat on the bed. I let him find where he was most comfortable and waited for him to gesture to where he wanted me to be, wanting him to be as comfortable as possible when he chose to be so vulnerable with me.

To my surprise, he settled himself against the dark pillows piled near his headboard and opened his arms. I gently shuffled across the bed and laid my head on his shoulder.

When we were both in a place where we could be comfortable and not worry about any part of us going numb, I asked him how he wanted to share, "Would you like to explain everything or would you like to test our connection? I know my father mentioned you could now show me things as I could earlier but whatever you want to do is what we'll do."

I felt his body rise and fall under mine as he took a deep breath to ready himself for the mental drain he was about to endure.

"If you do not mind, Persephone, I think it would be better if you could see what happened as I share. It may be easier for you to understand and...it may be easier for myself if I cannot find the words to describe what happened... "

He trailed off with his voice laced with uncertainty but I reached across his torso to intertwine my fingers with his. I gripped his larger hand tightly and grazed his knuckles with my thumb.

"Whatever you want, Aleks. Now, close your eyes and feel the mark on your arm," I instructed him. After sharing this way a few times, I had grown used to the feeling that led to the connection opening up. It had been unintentional the first time at the lake but I realized that there was a process to smoothly share.

I couldn't see his face but felt my inner forearm start to grow warm.

"Good, now relax and let that feeling grow until you can feel it throughout your body. Let it wrap around you and reach towards where you feel the other side. That's me. Let yourself connect to it and know that it's only me."

It took a couple of moments but after a second, I could feel the mark on my neck tingle as well and before I knew it, I felt my eyes grow heavy and then close.

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(This) = Percy and current!Aleks

(This) = memory action and dialogue

Third POV

The world faded to black for the two on the bed but soon color swirled and spun around until trees sprung to life and a mist settled in the air.