House of Blood & Tides

Five.

Stefan

A young woman sat before a light blue dragon with the beach surrounding her. Wind swept through her dark curls revealing her brown skin. Stefan could smell the salty sea water from where he stood.

It was another dream. He was disappointed after being tossed into so many already.

She sat in the sand drawing something that Stefan couldn't make out. He watched as her small finger shifted the sand purposely as if drawing words. She mumbled something but Stefan didn't know if it was of importance.

Her dragon was almost completely still but moved its head from side to slide slowly as if trying to hear something.

The woman finally stopped writing. She stood and stepped back. Stefan only saw scribbles but it seemed like the girl was interpreting it differently. She pointed and whispered at her work. She then froze as if alarmed by something. Her shoulders tensed and her face seemed to contort.

Her dragon let out a great roar, spreading it's mouth to reveal rows of sharp teeth. Towards the very back of his throat, Stefan could see a mass of fire. He scrambled backward and fell onto his back meanwhile the woman remained in place. Her blue gown swayed gently at her ankles.

She nervously turned over her shoulder. Stefan stared into her hazel eyes. Her beauty was striking but it was overshadowed by her look of horror. She gasped as if she could see Stefan. As if she wasn't a figment of his dream.

"Go away!" She screamed. Stefan then felt like he had been shoved. The air felt like it had been pulled out of his lungs. His body felt weak and suffocated as he fell into complete blackness.

~

Stefan inhaled deeply as he awoke. He wanted to scream but his throat was too dry.

"Stefan?" A woman's voice asked.

Stefan's vision was blurry as he blinked furiously trying to clear it.

He felt the bed shift and turned to see someone beside him. Stefan squinted. He could make out ash blonde hair and a woman's figure. It had to be Lexi.

Stefan smiled. Lexi sobbed as she reached for Stefan. He opened his arms wanting to hold someone. He needed to be sure she was real and not a dream. Lexi obliged lightly hugging him, crying into his chest.

"I'm so happy you're awake," Lexi said. Stefan lightly ran a hand through her hair to comfort her.

Lexi sat up and quickly went to the other side of the room. Stefan could her glass rattling. When Lexi returned beside him she placed a cup of water on his lips. Stefan drank eagerly. Once he had drank enough he attempted to speak.

"H-how long was I out?" Stefan asked Lexi.

A look of sadness consumed Lexi's features.

"A week," Lexi replied.

Stefan's eyes widened with shock. He thought maybe he was out for a day but a week was not what he expected.

"How's Damon? Is he still upset?" Stefan worried. He needed to make things right as soon as possible.

"I've spoken to Damon. He only wishes you a safe recovery. He'll speak to you soon but right now I want you to focus on getting well." Lexi adjusted Stefan's blankets. Stefan touched her hand to stop her.

"What's wrong with me can't be fixed." Stefan could feel his face redden. He wasn't used to being honest about his feelings.

"Stefan, stop. All you need is some food in you and then we'll go on a few walks to help gain your strength back. You got injured in a fight you can recover."

"You have no clue the things that I've seen. The things that I did . . ." Stefan recalled the things he did as commander of the night watch along with the dreams he had seen while he was unconscious. Everything pointed him toward his madness. He was glad Damon would be king and not him.

"Let's not talk about it now. I'll have the servants bring you some food and drink." Lexi seemed confused and concerned.

"Lexi I need to confess to you things I've done. Please hear me. You're the only person I know who might be able to help." Stefan touched Lexi's hand. Lexi looked into Stefan's eyes.

"Stefan, in this past week I've been through a lot. I cannot hear what you want to tell me. I want to be a good friend but right now my heart is heavy. So please for my sake let it go for a while." Lexi gave a weak smile that held a lot of pain.

What happened to her?

Stefan wanted to know but he listened to her. He didn't push.

"I care Stefan I do but there is a lot that I need to catch you up on. Let's take the next few days to relax before we dive deep into anything."

"Alright." Stefan agreed despite wanting to tell her everything.

His mind swirled with images. Those he loved, those he hurt, and the face of a girl he didn't know. He'd wait a few days and then he'd fess up to everything.