Page 134 of A Deception of Courts

“Tell me I’m dreaming,” I said, taking careful steps forward. I feared I would rush and shatter the illusion I dared hope was real before me.

“I heard you calling for me,” Duncan replied, his words slurred, voice weak. “Then, when I woke, you weren’t there beside me.”

Duncan raised and spread his arms, beckoning me to him. One moment I walked cautiously, the next, I barrelled into his hard chest.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry,” I said, unsure if I was apologising for causing him pain now or what my action had caused when I opened the gate. His hand traced my back, and the other cupped the back of my head as I melted into him.

Duncan held me close, refusing to let go. “I never wish to hear those words leave your mouth again.”

His skin was both hot and damp to the touch. He was slick with sweat, his breathing ragged. I was partially aware of the wound. It still leaked into the bandage around his waist, but his arms held me in place, soundlessly refusing to ever let me go again.

“You should be in bed!” I gasped, voice muffled in the moist flesh of his chest.

“Perhaps, but I came to find you.”

A sigh escaped me. It spoke of my exhaustion, the cry of my soul as Duncan’s physical presence finally sank in.

“I’m here,” I replied. “Youare here with me.”

“Yes,” Duncan replied slowly, drawing the lonely word out. “I certainly am.”

Reluctantly, I pulled back. His eyes were hooded with shadows. The hair across his pinched forehead was clumped in sweat-damp strands. I reached out and brushed them from his forehead, only to feel just how warm he was to the touch.

“You look like shit warmed up. Let me get you back into bed before Elinor’s healers blame me for your escape,” I said, threading his arm over my shoulder. I instantly felt him drop his weight onto me.

“Sounds delicious,” Duncan joked, eyes fluttering with heavy exhaustion. “However, I cannot promise my performance will be any good. You may be very disappointed.”

My chest warmed with his attempt at a joke. I looked up at him, unable to do anything but beam with a smile as he pathetically winked at me.

“How about you focus on getting better first,” I said.

“Oh,” he moaned, rolling his tired eyes. “Killjoy.”

I half encouraged and half dragged Duncan to walk back to his room. It was as though he was drunk on fever, laughing to himself as if unseen spirits whispered jokes into his ears.

All my worries faded with each step into the room. I glanced behind me to see if Erix was still there, but he was not. For a moment, I felt a pang of something painful in my chest, but it soon dissipated when I looked back to Duncan at my side.

Something caught my eye. A flickering of burning fire, glowing crimson. Frowning, I glanced at the strange light. There were no candles burning here, no light visible but the silver of the moon and the stars attempting to glow in competition.

But therewasa mirror.

Duncan didn’t seem to notice, continuing his focus forward to the promise of rest.

Over Duncan’s shoulder, I glanced into the mirror reflection, which showed the misplaced light I’d seen moments before. And in it was a reflection so horrific, it skinned the flesh from my body.

I blinked, wanting to rid myself of what I saw. Wishing it would change and the cruel trick my mind played would go away.

It didn’t, nor could I look away.

I stared at a body made of molten flesh. I propped it up with my shoulder, my arm wrapped around its sizzling, cracked flesh. Ram-curled horns like a crown atop a hairless head. Hooves thudded in time with Duncan’s footfall, except the reflection showed prints of flame and rot left in its wake.

Soon enough, the mirror passed, leaving the glimpse of the demon behind me. My eyes bore into the brick of the castle wall as I focused on the child-like singing Duncan was lost to.

It took a second for my mind to slow down and shield me from the fear threatening to drown me. Then his words became clear. Each one stabbed into my chest, over and over.

“I am here. I am here. I am here.”

No. I refused to believe it. My happiness slipped through my hold like sand through parted fingers.

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