The Azimar Archives Book One- The Book of Death

Areanath

Areanath watched Nevina as she slept, the soft sheet pulled up over her chest, her face buried into the crook of one elbow. The toes of her bare feet peeked out from underneath the covers, despite the way she had tucked her knees in close to her body. In that moment, asleep in his bed, Nevina looked just as beautiful as she ever had before.

They had drunk a fair bit of wine, two of the casks now empty and stacked against the furthest wall. She had lent Areanath her Gift, then left him to work in the study. He didn't mind that she dozed in his bed while he completed his last task. It was better that way, anyway. She wouldn't know how to reverse his spell if she missed critical parts of its creation.

Her golden hair was loose, spilling across the sheets. Her clothing had been scattered around on the floor, but he had taken a moment to pick the pieces up and drape them over a nearby chair. There was nothing for him to do but to watch her light breathing as she slept, and try to memorize the curves of her body and the angles of her face. He wanted to remember every detail for the last few days of his life.

Areanath padded over to his side of the bed, slipping beside her and draping an arm around her. She smelled of roses, his favorite flower. The thought of her dabbing on oils for his benefit made him smile. He kissed first her shoulder, then her neck, pulling her closer as he did.

She stirred, groaning softly and stretching her legs under the covers. "Areanath. I'm sorry I slept." She sat up, clutching the sheets to her chest and tousling her hair.

"It's alright. Our work makes you tired. You should sleep when you can." He sat beside her, running a hand through her hair and down her back. Had she worn her hair down for him, because she knew he liked it that way?

"It makes me more tired than you?" Nevina snorted, giving him a playful smile. The sight of it pierced his heart. He would have to remember that smile, when the time came.

"You do most of the work." He smiled, wrapping an arm around her waist.

"In here, yes." Nevina agreed. "But you're doing all of the work out there." She nodded her chin in the direction of the door, indicating the study, where Areanath built on his spell.

"The work is easier out there." He said, smiling. "But I'm not sure it's ready just yet. I have a few more questions that need answers." He turned, picking up a wine glass from the bedside table. "I brought you more wine, if you need it."

Nevina's eyes brightened as she took the glass from him. "I don't need more wine to be with you." She sipped at it, making a small sound of satisfaction at the taste. "I do like the wine, though." She brought the glass to her lips again, blue eyes smiling at him over the rim.

"Should I find someone to take you home tonight? The day is only half over, and there is still more than a cask of the stuff left."

Nevina shook her head, draining the glass. "Ajax will be taking me home tonight. He said he would have someone waiting out in the hall for me."

"Ajax?" Areanath's eyebrow raised. "The commander?" Nevina nodded, watching him. "Good. Better than letting you stumble off into the night."

"Areanath..." Nevina chided, a small smirk playing her lips. The curve of her mouth brought out a small dimple, and Areanath's heart ached, knowing he might never see it again.

Nevina pulled him close, kissing him. The first one was gentle, the second passionate.

The third was fiery, burning its way through his body to his groin. He lost count after that, as Nevina's Sight overtook his own. Nevina gently pushed him to his back, settling her body against his. Her hands roved over his chest and down to his waist, and his skin pricked out in gooseflesh under her fingers. As her Gift overcame his senses, Nevina began to tug at the lacing of his robe, but he could only vaguely feel it.

Some small part of his mind could feel her warmth, could hear her breathing as she rode him. A small part of his mind could even feel the pleasure it gave him. But it was all pushed aside for the overwhelming power of Nevina's Gift. He could See, for a few brief moments, and he understood more than he would ever know again.

Images burned themselves into his mind. Mothlenor, sitting in the throne. A large, smooth egg, iridescent blue, settled in thick grass. Nevina, looking down at him, chest bare. A snowy mountaintop, hidden in the clouds. A crying baby, swaddled in white cloth. Nevina, straddling him, head tilted back in ecstasy. A dark skinned child, stumbling barefoot after a muddy green winged creature.

Just as Areanath's mind began to process each image, it would dissolve, only to be quickly replaced by another.

The endless stream of images continued, flashes of Nevina's face appearing more frequently as she neared her climax.

Finally, they slowed, until Areanath found himself face to face with his brother, in a wooded area. Mothlenor's eyes flashed in anger, and then everything was black.

Areanath slowly opened his eyes, realizing the Sight was gone. His breath was heavy, and a light sweat had broken out across his skin. Nevina's weight was against him, and he could feel her breath on his neck. She had fallen on her side, one leg still draped over his, one arm settled across his chest.

"Was that enough?" She mumbled.

He took the hand resting on his chest and kissed the palm. "Yes, I think so." He rolled to his side, wrapping an arm around her waist. "Are you alright?"

Nevina nodded, breath still coming in soft pants. "Definitely," she said with a small laugh.

"Good." He ran his hand over her hair. "Sleep, I need to go work, before I forget everything. I'll be back." He kissed the top of her head, inhaling the scent of roses once more. Nevina only mumbled as he stood and draped the covers back over her naked body. He hurried from the bedroom, fastening his robe shut again as he went.

The images he had Seen ran through his head once more, but already they were fading. It would be enough, though. He was sure. He already knew most of what he had Seen, anyway.

But that last image...

Areanath's heart was beating fast as he lit more candles and settled into the chair at his desk.

He was sure that last sight had been in the seconds before his death.

And that future, at least, was not too far away.