Page 117 of Trials of Dusk and Dreams
If the duel eventuates, it’s unlikely Puck will last until the end. I have nothing to lose in accepting his request buteverything to gain, like a valuable alliance with the House of Stone. More importantly, a debt.
With my hand on the doorknob, I tell him. “You can trust that I want the Baleful Hunt back in his territory, cleansing it of Nightmares. I will accept your offer if the time comes.”
Chapter 48
Legion
By the time I return to our chamber, an ugly feeling has taken root in my belly, growing and multiplying with each step. Madness circles my mind like a hungry predator. There are too many variables and too many ways this could go wrong. I need Varen’s insight, Bodin’s strength, Emrys’s wit, Fox’s cunning, Styx’s stealth, and gods-damn it all, I need the fucking Wild Hunt.
I tap on the door and wait, my heart pounding against my ribs.
No answer.
The crawling thing inside me expands, threatening to consume me whole—my heart races. I wasn’t gone that long.
I tap again, harder this time. “Willow,” I call, trying to keep the desperation from my voice.
Silence.
“STYX!”I bellow into the darkness with my mind.“Come here now. STYX!”
He materializes from the shadows beside me, a disgruntled look marring his features. From his shirtless attire, mussed-up hair, and puffy eyes, I’ve clearly disturbed him from sleep. Thehelpless feeling inside me, the incapable thoughts whirling in my head, they give that crawling feeling a name I refuse to repeat.
“She’s not answering,” I say, gesturing at the door, hating how weak I sound. “It’s bolted.”
I said I would wait for her to wake up, but what if she’s . . .
“She’s fine,”Styx projects into my mind, his mental voice tinged with annoyance.
“How do you know?”
“I checked on her three times already. She’s asleep.”
Something eases inside me, a knot of tension I hadn’t realized existed. Then it tightens again. I didn’t ask him to check on her. He’s either very curious, murderously obsessed like Emrys or . . .
Heflickersaway before I can finish the thought. Inside the room, the bolt lifting grinds. The door opens, and Styx gives me an unreadable look before disappearing again. A little too quickly.
I’ll deal with him later. For now, I ensure the door is closed and bolted behind me. Then, as quietly as possible, I slip off my jacket and unbutton my collar. My boots are subsequent, set carefully by the door. The spectacles stay on, always.
Her soft, rhythmic breathing is a lullaby to my fear. By the time I reach the bed, ease down and lay beside her, I’ve forgotten the name of that ugly, crawling thing. Bathed in moonlight, her face is all I see. I stare so long that at some point, I can’t tell where the light comes from—her face or the moon.
She was right. I could have requested separate rooms. It would have made things easier. The decision to keep us together came out before I could stop it. I tried to reason away the choice, but the truth is, I want a night of indulgence. One night to lay beside her. One night for me when every other night will be for them. At least until our hive is united.
Only then will I unleash the force of my longing on her.
I shuffle closer to her but stare at the geodes glittering on the ceiling. I try not to use my lungs lest the noise obliterates hers and that ugly feeling returns.
She stirs.
I suck in a breath, holding it like a lifeline.
“Legion?” she mumbles, her voice husky with sleep.
Perhaps if I close my eyes, she will?—
“What are you doing?” Her dubious tone turns my head. She leans on an elbow, golden eyes narrowed on me, silver hair looking as soft as the dandelion seeds filling our pillows.
“I was sleeping,” I grit out, then return to glaring at the ceiling, my brows pinched together in a futile attempt at nonchalance. “Is it not obvious?”
