Page 78 of Twisted Fate

“Thank you, and—oh, shit! With everything...I forgot to call Tristan. Have there been any more attacks on the dark fae?”

“Not that I know of. I think Tristan got off his high horse and planned a meeting with Jules.”

“That’s good. Let me know if anything happens, will you?”

“Sure,” she murmurs, “and let me know what happens on your end, okay?”

“I will.”

“You know I love you, Aurora. I’m here for whatever you need. Always.”

“I know, and I love you. Thank you.”

I end the call and let out a long breath. I sit on the end of my bed and fidget with my phone. Not knowing how the following days are going to go is killing me. My skin itches, and my nerves are jumpy. My mind is racing with so many what-if scenarios, I can’t think straight.

I crawl under my sheets and try to relax. Tristan’s absence is almost tangible. As I gaze at the empty spot beside me, my chest aches.That’s new. I roll around to face the other way so I’m not staring at the blank space and close my eyes.

I drift off, grateful for the darkness pulling me under and away from reality. At least when I’m asleep, I can pretend everything is fine.

A scene materializes around me, and it takes a minute for me to realize I’m dreaming. I blink a few times, focusing on the fireplace in front of me. I’m in Tristan’s bedroom.

I stand, turning to glance around the room. “You can’t invade my dream and leave me here alone,” I call out.

Tristan enters the room out of nowhere. “I wanted to give you a safe space,” he says, approaching me at a comfortable pace. “I didn’t intend to make you spend time with me. I know you told me not to do this, but I needed to make sure you were okay.”

“It’s okay.” I glance at him. “I wish you were here,” I blurt.

“I’m right here, sweetheart,” he murmurs, brushing the hair away from my face and tucking it behind my ear.

“You know what I mean,” I say. “How are things there?”

He shakes his head. “That’s not why I brought you here. We don’t need to talk about that.”

“Well, I don’t want to talk about what I’m dealing with.”

“Then we won’t,” he says. “We can talk about whatever you want, or we don’t have to talk at all.”

“So, you brought me here to—?”

“To hopefully offer you some comfort. I spoke to Allison after she talked to you. I know what you’re dealing with, and I want nothing more than to be there with you, so this is what I’m doing.”

I reach out and take his hand in mine. “Thank you. You continue to surprise me.”

He gives my hand a gentle squeeze. “Is that a good thing?” he asks.

“Some days it really is,” I say.

We sit on the loveseat in front of the fireplace with my back pressed against his front and his arms wrapped around my waist.

“Adam told me,” I whisper.

“Hmm?” He leans down, tracing his lips along my jaw.

“I know you went back to the hospital after we left,” I say.

“Why do you think that?” he asks, tracing slow circles on the back of my hand.

“Because I remember what it felt like when you healed me. The pain was there, and then it wasn’t. That’s what Adam told me, and he said the man who made him feel better was wearing a suit. You didn’t want to go back to the hospital in my dad’s sweatpants?”

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