Threads of Fate

Chapter 35 ~ Safe From the Dark

    Tissaia had just begun to doze off when Azael spoke again. His voice was low and rough, almost fearful as he asked, "Why do you sleep curled up like that?"

    She blinked heavy drowsiness from her gaze, trying to think of a response. She'd never really thought about the reasons behind it, though she knew what they were. It had begun as a subconscious behavior. She would go to sleep sprawled out and wake up folded into herself. And it had felt safe, so she'd continued to do it.

    "To protect myself," she finally admitted. "It might sound silly to you..." it certainly would, given that he didn't know her reasons behind it, "but I'm afraid of the dark. Of what hides in it."

    Her wraith-like mother floating down the hall. Pausing outside the door to stare at her if she'd left it open, with her pale face and gaunt cheeks, and those wide, dull eyes. Then her father's fists breaking down the door if she had locked it, before they were beating against her skin.

    "And it feels like if I make myself smaller, denser, then when something comes for me, it will be harder for it to hurt me," Tissaia murmured.

    Her father wrenching her out of bed, throwing her to the floor. Her brother racing into the room to try to stop him. Hearing his head crunch against a cabinet. Reaching for him, and having her hand caught beneath a boot. Her fingers breaking. She flexed them beside her face, breathing a reminder that they were whole and straight right now.

    "What has come out of the dark, Tissaia?" Azael asked. His voice grated like stone. "What hurt you?"

    Her voice shuddered faintly. "A monster." With teeth bared and massive hands clawing, eager to harm. She waited, half-expecting Azael to question her further. But the Prince had gone silent.

    Old floorboards creaked and there was a slight breath of air as Azael spread his cloak on the ground beside hers. She rolled over, dragging the corner of her own cloak over herself in the process. Tissaia gazed at Azael in confusion when he laid down, his face inches from hers.

    "Let me protect you tonight," he whispered. "So I can see for myself that I won't hurt you, and so you don't have to fear the monster."

    Her eyes stung as she realized what he was offering. "Are you sure?" He nodded. "You won't push me away?" Azael nodded once more, and she saw an explanation in his eyes.

    This was a trial for both of them. For him to try to accept her without fear, and for her to trust herself into someone else's care. Maybe it would backfire. Maybe they wouldn't be able to overcome their challenges, but what if they did? What if...what if this night changed everything? Tissaia blinked the thoughts away, but it was too late to steady her heartbeat.

    "All right," she breathed.

    Azael hesitated a moment longer, then slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him. He was trembling, or perhaps she was. Tissaia closed her eyes, one of her hands remaining beneath her cheek while the other pressed against his chest, slipping past the unlaced material to rest against his warm skin. His scent surrounded her, rich and soothing, and slowly she relaxed in his arms.

    She had wanted this for so long. To feel close to him. To feel cared for and wanted. To feel safe. Protected. After the pool, she'd thought it would never happen. But she had been honest with him, and he was trying. He had been honest with her, and she was trying. The corners of her mouth tilted up. Maybe, just maybe, they could make this work.

    "I'm sorry," Azael murmured again. "For everything."

    "We'll make it right," she assured him, drowsiness tugging at her eyelids with renewed vigor. "Goodnight, Darling." He did not answer, but presently, a quiet, lovely tune hummed from his chest. A song written by a poet for the goddess he had loved.