Inferno's legacy (On Hold)

Chapter 24

Sleep wasn't coming especially not with Damion inches away from her.

"You know, you could have asked for double beds. I've never paired a bed." Eretria said, laying on her back while clutching the sheets on her stomach.

"Neither have I." Damion stated simply and she guessed that was her cue to go just zip it and go to sleep but she wasn't done voicing her thoughts.

"I doubt that. Even Ander has shared a bed and he's only 20." She said, wrinkling her nose.

Damion's hand was over his face as he laid on his back. "What's that supposed to mean?"

She chuckled. "You know better."

Damion moved his hand from his face and tilted his head to look at her. "Why don't you enlighten me?"

She glanced at him and almost rolled her eyes. "Don't act so innocent. I have five brothers so I know a lot of things I shouldn't. And judging from your overall appearance, you certainly know more." She said with a cheeky smile.

"My appearance?" She could hear the smile in his voice. One of the rarest things.

She bit her tongue. "I'm sure you're not ignorant."

"You're different from what I thought." He said, bringing his arm over his face.

"And what's your thought about me? Do I disappoint you now?" She couldn't help asking, leaning on one elbow. "That's a surprise. Here I thought you know everything about me."

"No. You don't disappoint me. I'd rather you be brazen than a complete fool."

That earned him a sharp smack and a kick. He rolled on his stomach and chucked.

Eretria completely froze. She had never heard him laugh or chuckle and it was definitely the most beautiful sound she had ever heard. His deep timbre was mesmerizing. If only she could hear it more.

He turned to her with a small smile. "Why do you look like you've seen a ghost?"

"I might have. It's not every day one hears you laugh." She said, falling on her back. Just the sound of his voice and she could feel her body burn. She smiled to herself. She had brought out that rich sound from him. She needed an award for that. "Why do you never laugh? You're always scowling like the whole world's getting on your nerves."

Did she hit a sore spot? His smile vanished and he went back to laying on his back, arm across his face, frown back on.

Eretria sat up. "C'mon on, we've gotten way past this." She said, leaning in and grabbing his cheeks, pulling in. She realized his cheeks weren't the softest but pulled anyway.

He grabbed her hand. "Eretria, stop."

She smiled, realizing she liked the sound of her name from him. It was better than princess.

"Not until you smile."

He raised an eyebrow but didn't budge.

"Fine." She let go of his cheeks and swung her legs down. "Frown all you want. You'll probably look 80 in a few years." She said, standing up.

He didn't have a chance to say a word before she yanked the sheets away.

"What are you doing?"

" Like I said, I've never paired a bed. It's quite uncomfortable."

"And the cushion seems more appealing?"

After a pause, she replied. "No." She laid down. "So don't say a word and go to sleep."

*-*-*-*-*

The world burned. The flames spread fast, consuming everything in it's path. The screams were loud, the warmth from the fire travelling deep.

Blue eyes.

Ones filled with hurt, betrayal, hate. It was a raw feeling, she could feel it. But the power surging through her veins pushed those feelings away. With the flames, she was powerful and unstoppable, for she was one with the flames. Controlling it was like breathing, as easy as it could be. Why hadn't she discovered this sooner?

Her sword dripped dark crimson, those blue eyes turning to her. For a moment, shock reigned, and a knowing look crossed. He had expected it sooner or later.

"Yennefer, you can stop this." He said calmly.

"But I don't want to Damion. I've never been this powerful and you're the cause." Her voice was filled with malice.

Suddenly, they were grey eyes with dark hair.

The pain was piercing, sharp, rattling her insides and she realized too late what had been taken from her.

"If this doesn't end now, it will later on. And you won't be the one with the smile."

"It can't happen again if you're gone. And I'll make sure of it."

Eretria woke up with a loud gasp, grabbing her chest in pain. It had been a dream, she told herself. But why did it feel like her heart had been pulled out? Her breathing was heavy and Damion definitely caught it.

"Eretria?" He called, coming beside her. Faint light was filtering into the room and she stared into his eyes. They were the same.

She flinched away from his touch, making him frown. Why hadn't she noticed when she first saw them? It had always been the same pair. She immediately got up, swaying as she did but stood her ground.

"How...how did you get that scar?" She asked, her voice shaky.

His brow creased. "What do you mean?" He moved closer but she backed away.

"How...." She trailed off. "Who's Yennefer?"

"What's with the questions?"

"Just give me a damn answer!" She snapped. "Did she give you that scar?"

"Yes."

Eretria moved to the table and settled on one of the chairs, burying her face in her palms. "I'm sorry. I... my nightmares got worse. It doesn't make any sense." Her voice broke. "I thought the pendant caused the nightmares but without it, it got worst." She turned to him. "Can I have it back."

"It's not on me."

"Of course." She got up. "We should leave soon. If you can't do it, I'll try."

Just as she said that, there was a knock on the door. They exchanged glances before Damion went to answer the door.

He didn't open the door fully so Eretria couldn't see who it was and they spoke in hush tones. After a while, he closed the door and walked back into the room, into the chamber bath.

Eretria was pacing when he came out, dressed in different clothes.

"Are you going somewhere?" She asked as she watched him wear his boots.

"Don't go anywhere until I'm back."

"Where you going?" She asked, placing her hand on her hip.

He didn't give her an answer. Another knock sounded and he groaned.

"Don't leave." He said and walked out.