Page 82 of Between Despair and Hope

“No.” I jolted upright.

“It’s the middle of the day,” she sassed.

“I haven’t been sleeping well.”

She looked sheepish as Rain dragged a hand up my back, resting his palm on the back of my neck. I closed my eyes once more, hoping it meant he wasn’t afraid of hurting me. Or at the very least, trusted me to stop him.

“Do I have a room here? Cy—Cyran said something about my bedroom.”

I straightened, stretching out my arms and legs as I yawned. “Yes, of course you do. I’ve been sleeping in here with you for now. We can keep doing that if you want to, or I can sleep in your room with you, or whatever you want.”

“Is Cyran still here?”

“He is, but we will find somewhere else for him to stay. He’s been staying in the room across from yours. I didn’t know what—Elora, I want you to know I almost had him executed. But, because of Mairin, I decided to leave it up to you. I suggest you speak with her about the boy—she can read his aura,” I added, realizing she might not yet know what Mairin was. She only stared, and I didn’t have it in me to explain. “You’d still be asleep if it weren’t for what he’s been doing. Do you remember any of the illusions?”

“Some of them,” she responded, voice sullen.

“Well, whatever you choose to do with him, I—we—will support your decision.”

Rain’s hand stilled on the back of my neck before he finally said, somewhat reluctantly, “I’ll have Sterling set him up elsewhere.”

“Will you show me to the room? I’m already tired. You’d think I’d be fine since I slept for over a month, but I’d like a nap.”

“It’s because your body isn’t used to this much activity. We’ll work on strengthening your muscles,” I explained. “Do you think Dewalt would help with that?” I addressed the man beside me.

Rain nodded.

“Who’s Dewalt?”

I chuckled, peeling myself from the bed and opening a rift into the bedroom Rain had suggested for her all those weeks ago. When he’d been waiting for me to say yes to him. I didn’t even hesitate an entire day, but even that felt like such wasted time now. Perhaps if I’d said yes before the palace, things with Soren would have gone differently, and we could have made it to the Cascade sooner. I shook my head, dismissing the thoughts.

“Well, I suppose he’s your uncle,” I said, grasping her hand, but she froze, not allowing me to pull her up. “Do you need Rain to carry you, or do you think you can make it to the bed?”

“No!” She was quick to deny the help, and her face turned red. “I can make it. You—I know you did the bond, but I wasn’t expectingthat.” She gestured toward the rift.

“Ah, yes. There’s more I’ll have to tell you later.”

“I remember the light—that fire—The fire isn’t his, is it?” She nodded toward Rain as I pulled her up, and he chuckled. “Where did it come from?”

She clung to me as we made our way through the rift and across the room to her bed, where I pulled back the duvet for her to climb beneath. I hadn’t done practically anything to the room to make it her own. I’d have to send for her things from Brambleton, although part of me wanted to retrieve them myself. She’d grown up in that house, and though Faxon tainted many of them, we had made some wonderful memories there. I wanted to say goodbye.

“It’s quite a long story, but right now, you should rest. I don’t know how much longer I can stay awake either. Someone will wake you for dinner.”

After getting her settled, I stacked a few books on the nightstand for her and sat down with her hands in mine. I’d let the rift close, not sure if she’d want Rain to hear our conversation, and I leaned forward, pressing my forehead against hers. I was so gods damn relieved and grateful to be here with her, to be able to talk to her again. What she had been through was more than I could pretend to understand, but I’d do my best to protect her. I knew Rain would do the same.

“I’m sorry for everything, Elora. I love you.”

“I love you too. I’m sorry you saw me die,” she whispered.

“Don’t, baby. No.” I gasped and barely held my tears back. “I deserve to have that memory for the rest of my days. It was all my fault. Cyran—”

“Ilikedhim. I thought—I thought he liked me too, and I’m embarrassed. He was only kind to me so I would trust him.” Anger and heartbreak warred in her voice.

“I know you liked him. I know. He fooled me too, honey. But, for what it’s worth, I think he does like you. I think he just—He felt he had a duty to make sure his vision didn’t come true.”

Another boy who chose duty. Not unlike the man who waited downstairs. The stakes with Rain were much lower, yet, the idea was the same. Elora swallowed, sitting back against the headboard.

“I think I’d like to be alone. Can you lock the door? At least, until Cyran isn’t here anymore?”

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