The Source: Moonlight's Heir

Chapter 8

I awoke with a start from gentle hands shaking me, my eyes roaming until they found evidence that I was safe. Jordan's worried face was not the first thing I wished to see, but it was a welcomed sight. He was sitting beside me, his face etched with concern. As much as I didn't want to admit it, seeing him was a relief.

"Hey," he said softly, touching my trembling hand. "Are you okay?"

I nodded, not trusting my voice just yet. The memories of the dream were still fresh in my mind, causing a wave of fear and panic to wash over me. Although I was relieved for his comfort, I spoke his name through gritted teeth, hoping he would sense the tension in my voice and leave me alone, "Jordan."

"You had a nightmare," Jordan said, his voice filled with understanding. "I'm sorry, I wish there was something I could do to make it stop. But waking you was the only thing I could think to do."

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath as I tried to push the memories away. "It's not your fault," I finally managed to say. "Thank you for being here." I cringed. 

Jordan squeezed my hand gently, his eyes filled with compassion. "I'll always be here for you."

I knew he meant it too, and it was a comforting thought. With Jordan by my side, I knew I could face anything as much as I hated to admit it. I may want to hate him right now, but I just couldn't.

"Jordan," I stated again, with less grit. The name felt weird rolling off my tongue. I was far to used to this face answering to Blaine. 

His eyes traced my face. If he heard the tension in my voice, he decided not to let it bother him. He showed no concern and instead responded sweetly, as Blaine would have. "Yes, I'm right here, Beth."

However, despite his best efforts, his face gave it away. His apprehension was evident by the worry written plainly across it. His brow wrinkled, and his lips turned downward into a grimace that I was sure he didn't even realize he was making.

"I had the strangest dream. You were there...you called me Livia. We were in the woods, you told me my dad was a king, you were a knight."

I was perplexed and confused by the revelation, however, it hardly affected him as he replied, "You will always be Beth. What the Duran are you talking about?"

He was sitting up now, looking down at me through messy curls that hung over his eyes that had darkened, gold no longer shining through. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't afraid of him in this exact moment.

"I..I'm sorry. I don't know, it was a strange dream..." I sighed, laying face-first into the closest pillow. The softness of the fabric against my skin was comforting, but it did little to calm my racing thoughts. I wanted to push the dream aside, not wanting to believe any of it to be true.

As I lay there, my mind raced with thoughts about the dream. It felt so real, and yet it couldn't possibly be true. But then again, my whole life had been turned upside down since I met Jordan. Why else would I dream of Jordan calling me a name that wasn't mine? And how else would he seem so familiar in my dream? Was there some truth hidden within it?

My thoughts were interrupted as I felt the bed shift next to me. Jordan's hand gently touched my shoulder, causing me to turn over and look up at him. He reached to push a strand of hair out of my face, then continued to stroke my silver locks. They dragged through the curls with ease sending strands to fall arbitrarily around my face.

"Beth?" He asked voice hesitant, puzzled even as he met my eyes. In the depths of his dark brown orbs, concern glimmered like a flickering flame casting shadows and illuminating his troubled thoughts.

"Hmm?" I mumbled, placing my arms behind my head.

"You look quite pale, like you've seen a ghost. Are you truly okay?"  The words were gentle but carried a slight quiver, betraying his concern. Although his tone was soft and soothing, an underlying worry could be heard in the way his words seemed to tremble slightly.  His voice was laced with unease to say the least.