Chapter 27 Erik
ERIK
The breeze felt wonderful against my skin.
Crisp night air settled over the land with a chilled edge.
It aroused the senses without causing discomfort; it was revitalizing.
I craved the open night sky, seeking it out to get away from the Bavadrin mass inside.
Not that I cared what they thought of me, but being the object of silent attention was draining.
They stole glances, eyes filled with a mixture of fear and hate.
Their whispers were no better. My senses were buzzing with the desire to permanently shut them all up, and so I left, allowing myself a few seconds of peace and quiet before returning.
“Alright, there is a step here. Be careful.” Iver’s voice snagged my attention to where he exited the building out of a side door.
“I know there is a step, little Lysian,” Ariana replied warmly, leaning on my brother for support.
“What’s going on?” I approached them in a few quick strides. Ariana swayed at the sight of me, surprise widening her eyes as if my presence was completely unexpected.
Iver turned towards me, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “This little princess has officially been hit by the magic juice. We were just getting some fresh air.”
Green eyes slid to him. “This little Lysian has officially been appointed as my guard.”
He chuckled. “Calling me little does not make you taller.”
“I could say the same for you . . . little Lysian.” She smirked to herself as if proud of her reply. For someone who usually maintained a high level of control over her responses, this was… amusing. The easy smile on her lips, the warmth in her gaze. She felt reachable. Less hidden.
“I have a feeling it is close to time for you to go to your temple.” Iver tapped her on the nose with a finger. She snapped at it with her teeth, too slow to actually catch him. He smiled and turned to me. “I can go get Edda, if you want to keep her from faceplanting.”
Ariana gasped. “I would not fall on my face.”
“I’ll stay with her.” I stepped up to them, my hand sliding around Ariana’s waist before she leaned her weight onto me, even as she said, “Not mean Edda.”
“You know, Kole calls her a wrinkled onion,” Iver said once he released her.
Ariana’s eyes grew large before she tipped her head back and laughed. It surged up like a pure and clear spring, captivating and heartfelt. A melody of pure joy wrapped around her. I couldn’t help but smile.
Iver laughed lowly, looking at her before turning to me. “I think I like her like this.”
The giggling stopped. Ariana narrowed her gaze in feigned irritation.
“Hey. I am always likable.” She flicked her hand out before her, waving him off.
“Better go and . . .” her lips curved skyward, “get that wrinkled onion.” Another giggle burst out of her.
“Oh Spirit, Edda is going to love this one.”
“I’ll return with the old one,” Iver said with a grin before disappearing back into the building.
“How are you feeling?” I asked Ariana once we were alone, my arm still around her waist, liking the warmth of her against me.
“I’m fine,” she replied softly, her voice slightly breathless.
Her eyes darted between mine then dipped to where her shoulder leaned into my chest. She released me as if she just realized we were touching, and my hold loosened enough for her to sway before I pulled her back.
Her hand gripped my arm for support. “I am just dizzy.”
“I won’t let you fall.”
Green eyes found mine. Her head tilted as if in wonder. There was not an ounce of hesitation in her gaze as it drifted between my eyes, over my face.
“What are you thinking?” I asked.
“You’re handsome,” she replied with zero regret, her gaze lingering on my features. “It is a shame you are so stubborn.”
“Stubborn?” My lips inched up at the unfiltered comments I was receiving.
“I won’t stop fighting until I am free,” she announced, brows furrowing in determination. Her thoughts had already moved on.
“You can fight me all you want. You won’t win.” Some part of me felt a thrill at the notion. Of the roles we currently held—I the predator and she the prey. My fingers tightened at her waist and she leaned into me even more, her body flush with mine.
To my surprise, her lips curled as if she also enjoyed this. “With a belief like that, it will be all the sweeter when I do.” Her gaze dipped to my lips before lifting once more. “I wonder. What will you think once we are on equal ground? When you finally truly see me for all that I am.”
Ashes. My pulse spiked at the thought. It was part of what drew me to her. The fact that she did not cower before me. I enjoyed her defiance. Perhaps I even craved it.
She tensed, gaze dropping to my chest, lashes fluttering briefly. The drumming of her heart shifted its beat, becoming erratic.
“Are you alright?”
She sagged as strength slipped from her. “I—I don’t feel so well all of a sudden,” she murmured. Any trace of humor vanished.
“Is this normal?” Being under the influence of what she drank was one thing. This was something else. With every irregular beat of her heart, she got worse.
“I don’t know.” She squeezed her eyes shut.
“Edda will be here soon.” I hoped the words brought her some sliver of comfort. Ashes, Iver, what was taking so long? My thoughts appeared to bring the old hag to us.
“Hurry up,” Edda hissed as she exited the building out of a side door.
“I am,” a deep voice replied, Willis on her heel.
Edda observed Ariana, whose eyes remained shut, as I held her upright. “It seems the potion took effect a little quicker than expected. We are taking her to the temple now.”
“Give her to me.” Willis held out his arms.
I hesitated, not wanting to release her when she was in such a state. As if I could somehow help her.
“Mhhh, Willis,” Ariana murmured, turning towards him. She reached for the Bavadrin guard, and I forced myself to let her go.
Ariana looked even worse than just a moment ago. A sheen of sweat coated her forehead, skin pale. I reached out to touch her brow, but my hand only landed on air as Willis stepped out of my reach.
“Keep your hands off of her,” Willis instructed flatly. He managed to keep the hate from his tone, but his golden eyes spoke volumes.
“It’s fine,” Ariana said softly. Her eyes opened, but she seemed to have trouble finding me. “I’ll be okay, Erik.” Her gaze went in and out of focus before her eyes slid shut, and her head rolled to rest on Willis’s shoulder.
“I don’t like this,” I stated, a sense of unease settling over me.
“You think we would harm her?” Ariana’s now second-in-command asked.
“I didn’t mean . . .” I began, my own frustration gnawing at me.
“Save it for later, Lysian,” Edda cut in sharply. “Right now, we need to get her to the temple.” She looked to Willis and nodded towards the street, as if telling him to get moving. He carried Ariana away, her limp form in his arms. I trailed a step behind them.
Once we reached a small round wooden building near the center of their town, Edda turned to me once more. “You are not permitted to enter. You may stay out here if you would like while we set her up inside, but you remain out here.”
I nodded, accepting that this was a part of their ritual and rule. I would not disrespect their belief, especially when I could monitor Ariana’s heart rate and breathing from outside. If anything went wrong, then I would know.
Edda and Willis entered with Ariana and emerged without her a few minutes later.
“She is to remain in there until she walks out herself,” Edda informed me. “Willis will stay here with her. You may go.”
“I am staying here,” I told her. There was no way I would leave Ariana while she was drugged. She was in no condition to create trouble. However, her Bavadrins were another story.
“Suit yourself.” Edda waved a hand in the air as if it did not make a difference to her and turned to leave.
“You hurt her,” I found myself saying to the old bat, bringing up the time she attacked Ariana with her words. “When you spoke to her that way. Why did you do it? Was it just for me to hear her defend the Lysians?”
Edda turned. A look of surprise passed over her features.
“Well, aren’t you a clever beast? But you would do well not to try to understand the reasons for my actions.
However, I will offer you this. No, it was not just for you to hear her defend you, though I realized that may be a benefit, and for that reason, I left the balcony door open.
The only thing you need to know is that everything I do is for that girl.
My actions served to help Ariana. There is a darkness that looms, and the thread that tethers me to her is unraveling.
I am afraid that it may break, and before that is to happen, I must help her see that she no longer has a genuine need for me.
She is more than capable of standing on her own. ”
“You are a Seer,” I stated what I long suspected. If she was truly a Seer, it was no use for me, for I could never hope to trust her or the things she says.
The Bavadrin smiled darkly. “As if you had not already assumed this about me.” She then turned to the night sky before looking back at me. “I hope you have a lovely night, Lysian.” She then left.
Willis took a seat on a step outside the entrance to the small temple, and after a minute, I followed suit.
A breeze ran a lap around us before disappearing, leaving nothing but still-chilled air.
Soft noises began to come from within the temple.
Ariana mumbled something incoherent in between the sounds of her teeth chattering.
Her pulse picked up. I wondered what the discomfort she felt was like.
“What are you listening to?” Willis pulled my attention from the temple.
“What makes you think I am listening to something?” I turned to find him staring at me. The scars on my back suddenly itched, as if knowing I sat with the man who had put them there.