Forty
CHAPTER
Ilay quietly on the sofa, with my head on Zathrian’s lap. His fingertips gently toyed with my curls. The fireplace crackled, and the smell of cinnamon and pine cones filled the room. A warm and comforting scent that I couldn’t get enough of.
My thoughts danced across everything that had happened, and my time in the Realm of Nightmares.
Memories embedded deep within my psyche I wished to forget.
I knew things happened for a reason, because they led me to where I was now, but it didn’t change the fact that those same things haunted me more than I cared to admit.
At the end of the day, if I had to choose to go through it all over again to end up here, like this, with him, I would. Without hesitation.
Mateo and Viotto were bantering as usual. I wasn’t really paying attention to their conversation. They always seemed to be down one another’s throats in a playful way. The way I imagined brothers would.
I felt at peace relaxing in Zathrian’s embrace. He looked so focused, and my eyes followed him to see he was looking at Mateo and Viotto, at the way they were bantering and wrestling.
What’s on your mind? I asked through the Bond.
Our eyes met.
Just thinking of how thankful I am to the Gods. For this, Zathrian replied.
I leaned into his touch.
For you, he continued.
I smiled. We are lucky, aren’t we?
That we are. His hand stroked my curls. I rolled over onto my side to face the fireplace, and Zathrian’s other hand reached for the blanket, pulling it over me.
“Why don’t you take a nap? I know you’re tired,” Zathrian whispered.
Yawning, I nodded. Closing my eyes, I drifted off.
I had no control over when or why I had the visions I had, or the reason behind the things I saw. It was a mystery. None of us could figure it out, and no matter how many times Zathrian took me to the Mountain to get answers, the Gods never gave them.
I walked side by side with Mateo when it happened again. Mid conversation, a gust of icy cold crashed through me. Eyes wide, I had a vision:
The sky was shrouded in black clouds. A dark and foreboding atmosphere that smelled of ash and soot. Rivers of molten lava flowed in the distance, a sinister shade of red that snaked through the twisted and jagged terrain. Black dragons soared across the sky and… there he was.
High Lord Casimir.
The one who haunted my dreams, even after all this time, for the things he had done to me.
In his hand was the dagger.
And beside him, was Javaid on his knees. Blood dripped from his lips.
“Everything has gone according to plan,” he said, his eyes flicking to Kyrell. “Bring me the book, and the girl.”
“As you wish, High Lord,” Kyrell replied.
Casimir turned to Javaid. “And as for you, I do not wish to dispose of you, but I will if I must. You—”
The vision came to an abrupt stop, pulling me from it. I couldn’t tell if it was a vision of the present or the future. My breath hitched, and anxiety bubbled within me. Was he talking about the Relic of Nightmares? What girl? Surely he didn’t mean me, right?
“Aerilyn?” a voice called, one that I recognized despite my ears ringing so loudly.
Did this mean it wasn’t the end?
“Aerilyn,” the voice repeated. This time I felt warm hands on my cheeks. Snapping back in the moment, my eyes met Zathrian, and just past him stood Mateo, staring at me with a look of concern and sheer horror.
“Are you okay?” He pulled away one of his hands, bringing out a handkerchief to gently wipe the blood from my nose.
I nodded.
“Are you sure?”
I nodded again.
“You were out for a long time,” Mateo chimed in.
“Huh?” I muttered.
Zathrian shot him a look, glaring at him. He turned back to me. “You’re okay.”
“Yeah, it gave us quite the scare…” Mateo mumbled.
“How long?” I asked.
“At least five or six minutes,” Mateo answered.
“I—” I was taken aback.
“What did you see?” Zathrian asked, his eyes filled with concern.
“Uhm.” I hesitated, my thoughts danced across what I had just seen, not wanting to raise concern for the time being, especially with Acheron’s ascension to High Lord of the Realm of Clouds tomorrow. I decided it was best to keep it to myself for now. At least until after his ascension.
Zathrian pulled me into a hug. “Shhh. It’s okay, it’s okay. You know what, we can talk about it later when you’re feeling better.” His hand rubbed small circles on my back, the other cradled my head against his chest.
“Okay,” I replied.
Mateo looked so concerned. I said nothing, burying my face into Zathrian’s chest. He scooped me off the sofa I was placed upon however long ago and carried me in his arms. He turned to Mateo.
“Please inform the others that I wish to rest with my Mate. Cancel whatever obligations I had for the afternoon. We will reconvene at dinner.”
“Yes, High Lord.” Mateo bowed his head slightly, then turned, making his way down the hall and disappearing around the corner.
“Aerilyn,” Zathrian whispered into my ear.
“Mmhm?” I rested my head against his chest while he carried me toward our bedroom.
“It isn’t over, is it?” he asked.
I bit down on my bottom lip, unsure of how to answer that when I didn’t even know the answer myself.
I knew he could sense my unease.
Nothing good ever came from my visions. I didn’t need to say anything for him to know that. Every vision I had was for a purpose, whether or not we realized what that purpose was.
I sighed.
I think Casimir is up to something… I am worried about Javaid. Something about a book, and a girl.
Zathrian’s eyes darkened, and his brow furrowed. He looked down at me. His jaw clenched, as if he knew what I was talking about.
I will have someone check on Javaid, and as for Casimir, I will look into it. I don’t want you worrying about things that we don’t even know if we need to worry about… Though, I will remain cautious and ensure the others do as well.
“Okay,” I replied.
He leaned forward to kiss my temple, pushing the door to our bedroom open with his foot.
“Now, for the time being,” he said, carefully placing me down onto our soft, pillowy bed, “how about I draw us a bath, hm? With lavender salts, eucalyptus, and extra bubbles, just the way you like it?”
“That sounds lovely.” I sighed.
He leaned in to press a soft kiss against my lips. “Anything for my lady love.” He disappeared into the bathroom, running the hot steamy spring water for us to bathe in together.
That was the thing about history, it tended to repeat itself no matter how much we wished it wouldn’t.
He was right, there was no reason to worry about the unknown. At least, not yet. For now, I needed to remember that we were safe here, at home, within the Realm of Stars.
“It’s ready!” I heard his voice call from the bathroom.
“Coming!” I rounded the corner, eager to join him for a relaxing bath with eucalyptus and lavender salts.