Dark Moments: Episodes From The Dark Boys's Lives

Dark Morning

Corin awoke in the wee hours of dawn with a pounding heart, eyes refusing to open. With a start he realised that today was the day he would take the city, Aos Si. A shiver of nervous excitement ran up his spine. A small sigh of relief escaped him at the absence of the voices in his head. It wasn't over or anything, his punishment for ignoring her for so long, far from that. Just a temporary respite... A break if you may. It was still there, the connection to the land, the feel of it's pull... just beneath the surface. But for now, it was silent.

Fury arose in his chest at the thought of what Auberren had done and the depths he'd stooped to, only to protect his throne. Selfish bastard, thought Corin, slightly distracted by the pain where his eyes sat in his head. The things Corin wanted to do to him... He would have to wait however. Just a few more hours now... And then, after the battle had been won, on the Field of Kings, he'd teach that scoundrel Auberren and that arrogant pigheaded Braed a lesson... Speaking of Braed, Corin realised that the Field of Kings did not worry him as much as ... What would follow after. How would he face Laen... He asked himself for the umpteenth time.

The weather outside was still violent, reflecting the turmoil within him. Thunder boomed ominously, sounding like the sky was cracking. The breeze blew across his face ruffling his hair, the tent being but a poor barrier against it. He sighed softly as he wondered about the future, his thoughts alternating between Aos Si and Laen. Raw fear caught at his gut in a vice like grip as the prospect of losing Laen, his beloved friend and brother, made itself felt in full force. The dreaded event may not be too far off now, he imagined, feeling wretched in the process. Horrendous possibilities flashed at the back of the eyelids of his closed eyes, like a film running on a projector board, making him shiver with more than just cold. How he yearned for Claudette right now. In her arms, he found the strength to take on the world. Her beautiful face appeared in his mind's eye, the unusually green eyes blazing with pure adoration for him. The corners of his lips lifted at the cheeky smile she gave him. Oh dear dear Claudette... How was is that this little country girl held his heart hook, line and centre? Her unique ability of being boldly naughty yet endearingly innocent at the same time had somehow managed to capture his soul. It had taken him an age to find her, and boy had she been worth the wait. Every second of it.

But now, nature seemed to be threatening this precious gift of his life, along with everything else he cherished. Was it that retribution for his previously sinful life was finally catching up with him? Would he survive the punishment for ignoring the call of the land for so long? Without all those he loved? Claudette, Laen....

Laen.

No, not without Laen. He needed Laen by his side for this. For everything. Always.

It was only when something shifted slightly at his waist due to his involuntary movements that he tore out of his nightmarish reverie.

A cold sweat broke out on his brow, as he gulped in a few ragged breaths. Another twitch at his waist reminded him of where he was. Despite the agitated state he was in, a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he felt Laen's arm curled around him, a delicious warmth emanating from it. The rise and fall of Laen's chest against his back was soothing and he savoured every minute of it, listening to the rhythm of his breathing which sounded like music to his ears. The strands of Laen's long blonde hair had fallen over Corin and tickled his ear as Laen shifted closer. His smile deepened as he relived the events of last night, his eyes still refusing to open.

******

"It is cold Laen", he stressed yet again. Changing subjects hadnt been enough to distract him, Laen realised bitterly. He did not reply, feigning slumber.

"You're well aware that's never worked before. You've never fallen asleep before me. Ever.", Corin said matter-of-factly. Laen heard the eyeroll, making his jaw clench.