Heart of Torment (Breath of Mist Book 2)

T H I R T Y S I X - Erik

Ariana lay in my arms, beautifully asleep. Her naked body pressed to mine, so warm and inviting. My eyes drifted over her, taking in the soft glow of her hair in the moonlight seeping in through the window. Her face looked so serene, and peaceful. Full lips that could cast spells with her whispers and let pass those lovely breathy sounds she made when I touched her in the right way. My thumb brushed against her delicate jaw, unable to stop myself from touching her with more than my gaze. I wanted to feel her, all of her. My fingers lightly traced the length of her neck. Following the slope of her shoulder, down her arm.

She shifted, and I stilled, cursing myself for not having more self-control. Rest was not something that was easily found these days, especially for her. So when she finally settled in my arms, I needed to let her sleep.

During the days, she seemed so strong and certain in all she did. It was almost as if her time at the Sidhe Kingdom did not affect her at all. Almost. In those moments when the day hit a lull, or something triggered a memory, shadows would dance across her vision. She shook them from her thoughts, doing her best to pay them no mind and move on, but they lingered.

Darkness followed her, creeping into her consciousness, and I wished I could rid it from her mind completely. But there was no way to permanently erase the nightmare she lived through.

Instead, we found a sanctuary in one another. A temporary place we could reach, together, where our worries and thoughts were wiped clean enough to allow for some rest before darkness returned.

She did not talk about the boy whom Clause killed with hardly a touch or the old man whose life she was forced to take to spare the rest. If ever she wished to, I would listen. I would be whatever she needed, shelter her however she allowed.

Ariana shifted, her brows briefly drawing before relaxing again. I pulled her closer, tightening my hold. Nuzzling her neck, I breathed her in. She had no idea how absolutely intoxicating she was. She twitched, and I nearly hoped that she was waking. It was a selfish hope for spirit knows she needed rest, but my craving for her was intensifying with every minute that passed.

I drew in another deep breath. Noting the familiar wildflower scent that was her signature, as if fields of them bloomed under her skin, and something else. I stilled, breath caught in my throat. She emitted the scent of something distinct. Mildly sweet, and easily recognizable, fear.

Moving from her, I gently shook her shoulder, scanning her face. "Ariana?"

Despite her neutral expression, she exuded the unmistakable smell that came from her all too rarely. I tightened my grip on her, trying to wake her. "Hey, Ariana. Ariana. Wake up." There was no response, as if unreachable. "Ariana?"

Something was wrong.

I jumped out of bed, scooping her up with the sheets surrounding her. In a few steps, I opened the door into the hall.

Two Bavadrin guards stationed in the hall stared at me with wide eyes. They glanced at Ariana in my arms. The sight of her shocked them senseless. "Inch those hands closer to your swords and I will incinerate you," I warned, both of them freezing and going a shade paler. "Where is the nearest healer?"

The guard to the left replied, "The closest would be Royden. I can go retrieve him."

"He isn't in the building?" Anger tinged my words.

The guard shook his head. "The healers are still working on the troops after the return from the Sidhe lands."

"Get the one you speak of, then." He took off at once, sprinting down the hall. I turned to the other guard. "You, go get Willis."

He hesitated. "But-" his gaze fell onto his leader superior.

"I have her. No one is going to get anywhere near her unless I wish them to. Now go alert her second in command and bring him to me."

"Right." The guard took off.

I prowled down the hall, stopping in front of Iver's door, and gave it a few good kicks.

He flung the door open, grey eyes quickly taking inventory of me standing in the hall with Ariana in my arms. The alarm in his eyes faded, and he turned to me. "You couldn't have put on some clothing first?" He stepped aside.

"I will snap your neck, Iver," I growled, entering his room. "What is wrong with her?" She seemed somehow smaller as I held her, defenseless against whatever had her. Ariana was the cause of my fear, filling me with irritation and anger that I knew not what to do with. A feeling of pure helplessness slithered into my stomach, coiling there. Even though she lay in my arms, she may as well have been worlds away, for I was horribly powerless to help her.

Iver raised a brow. "You expect me to know? She is alive and breathing." He looked over her. "I guess you can not wake her?"

"No."

"Put her on the bed," Iver moved deeper into the room, and I followed. Gently, I put her down.

My brother handed me a robe and looked over Ariana. His demeanor was more tense than typical for him. He reached for her. His fingertips disappeared beneath the blanket and I could not contain the growl that ripped out of me. A warning for him not to get too close.

"Easy, Erik." He tugged her arm, moving it out into the open before pressing his fingers to her wrist.

"Her heart is racing." I snapped.

Gray eyes pinned me. "I can hear that. I am trying to gauge the force of her heart, feel the pressure within the veins beneath my fingertips." He looked back at her with a frown. "She is uncomfortable, whatever this is." Useless information. Clearly she was uncomfortable.

"Can you fix it?"

"I am thrilled that you find me so impressive. But I have no idea what this is. It could be conjuring of some kind or a poison."

"We have eaten and drank all the same things."

"From the same glasses? using the same utensils and plates?"

"This isn't poison."

"How do you know?"

Footsteps raced down the hall as one of the guards returned with the healer. The old man was nearly dragged and thrown into the room. He looked antique. His gaze found Ariana and he approached at once while the guard stood by the door.

"Can you fix this?" I asked.

He held a hand over her, moving it as if feeling her energy. A frown was clear on his dry lips. "No healer can help her. You are right, this is not poison. There is nothing to be done but wait for her to wake. I don't think this should last very long, at least not past the morning."

"What is it?"

He scratched absentmindedly behind his ears, though maintained his focus on her. "I believe it is a dream walker. They used to be more common amongst our kind, but have vanished."

I looked at Ariana with dread, knowing full well where these conjurors likely had gone, and who was responsible for this.