Page 9 of Of Blooming Embers
But then the bed dipped once more as he settled behind me and fit the broad expanse of his back against mine. I melted into the comforting, solid feel of him. My ember calmed, now a faint flutter.
After a few minutes, his gentle but firm words broke the silence. “Tell me.”
He held his breath. I wrapped my arms across my chest. “Kaden. Somewhere dark. He … he was screaming in p-pain.” I stumbled over the last word, choking on it.
No other mortal had dreamed in a long while. The dreams had decayed, withering away into nothing like Midst Fall. But that didn’t stop nightmares from seeping into the shadowed corners of our slumber.
As of late, Gavrel and I had beenblessedwith premonitions that riddled our sleep under each full moon. Although tonight, both the moon and my patience were waning.
Why were the Fates toying with me? With Gavrel? Why force these cryptic messages upon us?
My eyes squeezed tightly as Kaden’s anguished face flashed behind my lids. We needed to find him.But what if we failed?I whimpered, brushing the wetness from my cheek.
Gavrel turned, his muscled frame nearly pushing me off the narrow bed as it creaked in protest. One massive arm slipped under the crook of my neck. His other arm wrapped around my middle, tucking me safely into his chest.
And I let him hold me, snuggling into the warmth of his embrace. Ignoring memories of his arms around me like this from the past. Allowing myself to be soothed by his nearness as my whirling anxieties crumbled once more into a blessedly dreamless sleep.
4
THE LEGS OF A DYING SPIDER
GAVREL
As I held Seryn in my arms, the steady rise and fall of her breathing quieted the rapid thrum of my blood. I navigated the twists and turns of my contemplations, memories of her flooding my mind. Recollections of all the moments we had shared, both together and apart, echoed through the corridors of my thoughts. There were so many things I needed to tell her, yet so many things I never could.
I tipped my face closer to the back of her head, messy curls tickling my nose, letting her sweet scent fill my senses. My Ancients, what I wouldn’t give to hold her like this for the rest of our days.
If only I could allow that to happen.
A vicious sourness filled my throat at the thought of Seryn trapped within Melina’s clutches. There were too many instances where she’d been in danger. Too many times, Melina had threatened her even before Seryn knew she was caught in the Elder’s web.
The first time Melina had erased Seryn’s memories was the winterbefore last. Even then, I was powerless against her. Unbidden, the memory crept into my mind like a festering wound.
In Morpheus’ palace, I wandered through the maze of hallways, exhausted from hours of sparring with Rhaegar and my brother.
My thoughts drifted as I beheld the opulence of the place. I yearned for the simplicity and comfort of Evergryn—the days when danger didn’t seep into every seam.
For a moment, I squeezed my eyes shut as an image of Seryn’s smile flitted into my mind, morphing into the shattered expression I’d put there. A heavy sigh dropped at my feet as I blinked, a daze settling over me.
A little over a turn had passed since I’d shredded our relationship. Understandably, Seryn had made damn sure to spend as little time as possible in my presence since then—and it was for the best.
Of course it was.
I pressed my thumb to the corner of my mouth, as if that could wipe away any lingering doubt.
It’s what I’d intended, after all. For her safety. So Melina wouldn’t look her way again. If keeping the Elders’ eyes off Seryn meant keeping my distance, then so be it.
Melina seemed pleased that Seryn no longer sought me out during the Dormancies, as she’d done more and more the last several turns. I pressed the heel of my palm into the scar on my chest, gritting my teeth.
Soon, I approached a set of massive doors, and my eyes widened at the realization of where my legs had carried me.
Of course, I was at the fucking library. Was I trying to sabotage my best efforts? Seryn loved the library and was likely still working there.
In spite of myself, my curiosity and desire to be near her got the better of me. With knit brows, I stepped inside as if I couldn’t help myself. Because, if I were being honest, I clearly couldn’t when it came to her.
Bloody void.
“No need to lurk, boy. Get what you need or get out.” I winced at the sound of Iben Burlam’s ill-tempered tone.
