Out of the Shadows // Sebastian Sallow

Chapter One Hundred-One

*Warning: This chapter contains talk of torture and sexual assault, heavy emotions.*

My consciousness was returning. I could hear a clock ticking nearby. I could hear my own breaths, slow and even. The page of a newspaper being turned. Otherwise, it was quiet.

I basked in the stillness, keeping my eyes closed and assessing.

Was it over? Was I alive? Was this a dream or was this heaven?

I chanced it, taking a big breath and opening my eyes.

The light above me was a little bright, making me squint. I was warm, tucked into blankets. My body was sore, but only just.

I turned my head and saw him. Sitting there in a chair with his leg crossed over his other leg, ankle resting on the knee. The newspaper was open in his lap. His brow was furrowed in that extremely attractive way it did when he was reading. He reached over, grasping a teacup and sipped, putting it back down slowly.

I lay there, absorbing the sight of my husband sitting by my side, reading and having tea. Yes, this was most definitely heaven.

"Seb." I said softly, my voice extremely dry and hoarse.

He dropped the paper to the ground, his eyes widening. He jumped up quickly and rushed to me, grasping my hand and squeezing.

"My love. You're awake." His plump lips pulled up into a soft smile. His warm, chocolate eyes filled with hope and love immediately.

"Where are my babies?" I asked.

"They're at home with Anne. They're perfectly healthy. They miss you." His other hand moved slowly to gently push my hair out of my eyes. "Merlin. It's so good to see your eyes again."

We sat there, staring into each other's eyes for quite a while.

When he finally spoke, his brow furrowed slightly, "How are you feeling?"

"Um... I'm not sure. Thirsty?" I said, still feeling a bit numb and confused.

He chuckled, releasing my hand. He reached over and poured a cup of water, handing it to me, gingerly.

I wrapped my fingers around it, the cup was shaking. My hand was trembling. "Let me help." He put his hand on the bottom of the cup and helped tip it up so I could drink.

I took a small sip. And another. And then I drank down the entire thing. I was huffing for air when I finished.

"Better?" He asked quietly.

"Yes." I looked around. The room was small. Just this bed and a chair. A small table next to it. A rolling table with bandages and potions laying on it in the corner.

"Am I... in the hospital?"

He chuckled again. "Yes, love. But you're ok. You're healing well. Do you... remember anything?"

"Um..." I searched my fuzzy mind. "I was manacled. To the cave wall. My children in the pen. There was pain... so much pain..." My voice choked up a little. "And... darkness. A deep... darkness. So quiet." I looked back at his face. He had tears in his eyes. "I died, didn't I?"

He swallowed hard. "Yes, you did."

"And then you. I remember... you rescued me. You brought me back."

"Yes. I'll never give up on you."

I tried to smile and then winced. My face hurt. A lot. "Ouch." I said softly.

"Are you ok?" He asked, coming in to hold my hand again.

"My face hurts."

He sighed. "Well, it looks a hell of a lot better than it did a week ago."