Domain of Power-The Dreamer (Book 3)

Chapter 28: The Breakdown

The world around me plunged into darkness. The only thing breaking the silence was my sudden gasp for air.

My eyes flew open, only to find myself paralyzed in bed. I stroked my throbbing chest and squinted at my quivering hand. There was no blood or sign of a weapon. The chance meeting with Priscilla in the garden, even the kiss that sent Titus into a jealous rage...was all in my head. It was all one terrible nightmare.

The room was light enough to see my hand in front of my eyes, but not enough to make out the details of the frescos on the walls that enclosed me. It was almost impossible to tell if I slept through dinner or if it was the dawn of a new day.

What time was it? I pushed myself out of bed and tiptoed out of the room. I followed the dying flames of the light torches along the corridor leading me to his room, where light emanated from. But when I arrived, there was just an empty bed.

"Grandfather!" I heard my voice echo in the empty room. Where was he? I thought he died.

He died. You saw him die, Troy, I told myself.

I ran my fingers through my curls. Was I still dreaming? No. That was impossible! Everything here felt like it belonged here. I stumbled back into the dark corridors, past the armory of weapons by the shrine. The only thing that caught my eye was a gleaming dagger, its sharp blade glinting in the dim light, juxtaposed against the intricate coat of arms. I grabbed it and held on like it was a lamp, guiding my steps until I got to my room. From the reflection of the blade, I could see the reddened bruises on my wrist. The same right wrist I pinched in the dream. The dream in which I almost died. Only I was still dreaming!

There was a knock on my door. A panicked breath escaped me.

If Titus was behind those doors, I would be doomed! But I was not ready to be stabbed by him twice! I had to beat him to it. And I knew what I needed to do to wake up.

I reached for the dagger and pointed it at my beating chest. The door swung open, and I turned it towards my arm instead.

The blade broke skin when someone shouted my name.

I turned to find Cornelia, muffling a scream with her hands. I pulled the dagger from my lower arm only for blood to spill from the cut.

Unlike the stabbing, where I felt nothing, I felt everything. I let out a whimper as I clamped down on the wound.

She asked what happened, but all I could do was grunt and pant. She ran out of the room, screaming for help. As soon as she left, a sharp pain erupted from my lower arm and traveled up my arm muscles. I groaned aloud as my entire arm felt like it was on fire. Moments later, she returned with the female slave who nursed Grandfather, along with clean white towels. As she wrapped the towel around my arm, I could hear Apollus' voice mingled with another voice. "What in heaven is going on here, Troy?"

He and Odydus marched inside with weapons in hand. But the moment they saw me, they gasped.

Apollus pointed at Cornelia. "You. Yes, I am talking to you, girl! You saw what happened. Would you care to explain?" he demanded.

Her voice quivered. "My lord. I saw him with a dagger in his arm. He hurt himself."

Apollus turned to me. "Troy...what were you doing with a dagger?"

I bit my lip.

Apollus heaved a loud sigh. "I know Grandfather's death has been painful for all of us, but killing yourself is not the answer!"

He died. This was not the first time I heard that. But the more I heard it, the more weight those words took on.

"Troy," Apollus continued, enunciating every word. "Where did you get the dagger?"