Chapter 45 Claeg
Anastasius left me in his room, declaring that he would return after speaking quickly with Rohit. That was hours ago. At some point, I collapsed in his bed, exhausted from the emotional turmoil. The covers were cool against my skin. I closed my eyes, letting out a sigh. Everything had changed between Anastasius, and yet nothing at all. He gave me hope. Perhaps unity was just what the clans needed. It wouldn't be simple or easy, but it would be life-changing.
I smiled, letting myself fall into a hopeful sleep.
Clotho was laughing, the sound like the flapping of wings in the summer air. Pure. Unrestrained. Unburdened. I opened my eyes. I was in a clearing, the sun piercing the treetops and hitting the forest floor. Prairie flowers blossomed throughout the small field. In the center lay Clotho, her body entwined with another’s in the aftermath of lovemaking. A lustful scent mixed with the smell of the blossoms in the air. Clotho tilted her head back, her long white hair reflecting the sun among the grasses and ferns they lay in. A hand tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, a voice like melted honey whispering words I couldn’t decipher. I should leave them be, but something pulled me forward, a feeling that something wasn’t right. I needed to see. My breathing hitched, my legs urging me faster, but as I got closer, the sun fell and the distance between us grew.
“Clotho!” I shouted a warning, desperate to get to her as twilight consumed the clearing. A growl sounded from all around me, as if the forest itself were threatening her. My sister ignored me, her laughter growing distant. No, no, no! I reached forward, trying to hold on to the last of the light, but it vanished along with her laughter. I shouted in horror, but she slipped away. My breath ripped through my chest, my heart pounding in my throat, but I kept running. I ran harder, faster, but the more I ran, the farther I got from them until mountains separated us. Eventually, I fell to my knees, a scream on my lips.
“Brother, why are you crying?” Clotho growled at me. My eyes snapped open. Widened. We were back in the clearing, and she stood over her lover. Her hair was streaked red. The prairie flowers wilted where red puddles had formed on their petals. “I rid you of your weakness.” There was so much blood. Too much. I couldn’t look. I couldn’t bear to see Anastasius like this. She let out another laugh, but this one was distorted. Ugly.
I woke up with a gasp, my eyes flying open. Streams of bloody sunlight poured into the room like a bad omen. The bed was still cool. Anastasius. He hadn't returned. He was in danger. I knew it. I had been so obsessed with my mission that I hadn’t considered what Thana would do if the draconis returned. Would she be as angry as I was? Would she start a war over it? Perhaps not, but the Ruptor was screaming—protect. I vaulted out of bed.
I needed to get to Anastasius. I needed to warn him. I stumbled through the door, following the path of torches deeper, toward the infirmary. The castle was abuzz with people, but none of their faces matched the one I sought. They stared at me with wide eyes as I pushed my way through them. I needed to get to Anastasius. I needed to tell him . . . What? What did I need to tell him? I needed to warn him. Yes, warn him about Clotho. No, that wasn’t right. My sister wasn’t here. She couldn’t hurt Stas here.
I stopped. Last night I had nearly completed his Circle. I was the danger here. Anastasius was in danger because of me. NO. Not my prince, the man who made me feel safe and free to be myself, not a puppet, but a man with feelings and weaknesses. He couldn’t feel, but neither could I. Not before him. He had promised to show me how to live, to heal my soul and he had. He made me feel alive. I wanted to live, but not just for my clan. I wanted more.I took another step forward, but a rough hand caught my arm. I glared at it, wishing it would burn off. I needed to find my prince and tell him the truth. For there to be peace, there couldn't be any more lies.
“Good morning, Ruptor,” Calian sneered.