The Memory of Darkness (on hold until October)

23 - Seeking Solace

Arianna didn't remember returning to Isterbeck. Her mind swam with recollections of the smell of burning, and a wave of heat and light.

What did I do?

Her thoughts cleared enough to realise that she was lying on Lorcan's bed. He stood looking down at her, before brushing a stray lock of hair off her face. He smiled, and she struggled to keep her expression neutral. An odd sense of elation filled her, entirely at odds with the disbelief she had felt at the wave of destruction that had erupted from her hands. She examined the blisters on her fingers, wincing at the discomfort.

Lorcan gently took hold of each of her hands, careful to avoid the burns. "I should probably take care of that," he said.

"How?" she whispered, her voice hoarse. Her question was answered by an icy chill that covered her hands like gloves. Without realising, she held her breath, watching as the blisters and redness faded away, leaving her hands unmarked.

Lorcan let go of her, staggering backwards, bent double. "That was easier than last time," he gasped, his breathing ragged. He righted himself, and Arianna couldn't help but notice that he looked exhausted, the dark circles under his eyes giving the impression that he hadn't slept for days.

"That's what you did," she whispered. "Before, when..."

"You can thank me later, my love," he said.

"I won't thank you," Arianna replied. "And I don't want you to ever do it again." She grimaced as the sense of his presence within her surged for a moment, before returning to its usual, still troubling level.

"We'll see about that," he retorted. "Though if you're not feeling especially grateful for my actions, perhaps we could discuss yours."

"I don't quite understand what my actions were," she replied, staring at her hands. "Nothing like that has happened before. Whatever it was, why did you make me do it?"

He gave her a tired smile. "I only wanted to see the effect you'd have on the revenants. I did not expect you to unleash fiery mayhem on the unsuspecting countryside. That was... exciting. Though I can't believe they opened the gates. Can you believe they opened the gates?"

She glared at him. "All of that was see how fire affected the dead? You risked an entire town just to see what would happen?"

"Not just that," he said. "I already know what normal fire does to them."

"Then what was the point?"

Lorcan said nothing, turning away from her to rearrange some papers that lay on a table. When it became apparent that he wasn't going to reply, Arianna tried to stand up, deciding that she had had quite enough of his company. Her limbs felt as light as air, and her legs refused to support her.

Lorcan turned back as she stumbled, catching her, an arrogant smirk on his face. "You know," he said. "You spend rather a lot of time falling into my arms. Just admit that you adore me, it'll make life so much easier."

"It hasn't been through choice," she replied.

"And yet you adore me regardless," he said, his voice full of mischief.

"That is not what I meant!" she hissed.

"If you say so."

Arianna gasped as he placed a soft kiss on her forehead. To her dismay, the feel of it sent soft, delicious shivers down her spine. "Try that again and I'll take your eyes out," she said, hoping to sound threatening, but certain she had failed. "Would you recover from that?"