Page 25 of The Call of Crimson
“Good,” I murmur. “I love you, E.”
“I love you too, B.”
CHAPTER FIVE
AURELIUS
Sipping on warm tea, I stare out the castle window. I suppress a yawn, forcing another drink of the spiced liquid down. Today was not the day I could afford to be tired or inattentive; it was the first council meeting since Queen Genevieve’s death. The lack of sleep was catching up with me, though. Last night had been a breaking point for me.
“Aurelius, why are you pounding on my door in the middle of the night?” Ayden asked through a yawn.
“Do you not hear her screams?” I asked, running a hand through my shoulder-length black locks.
“Of course, I hear them. The whole castle hears them, brother.”
“You can stop them. Why don’t you?” My tone bordered on pleading, and I hated that I had to ask this male for anything, especially when it came to her.
“Don’t you think I would if I were able?” He glared at me, folding his arms across his chest. “My gift requires touch, and ifyou hadn’t noticed, I can’t get in her room.” He waved his hands at the shadows forming a barrier around the door.
“You can’t get through?”
He rolled his eyes, walking to her door and demonstrating how his hands hit a barrier anytime he reached for the handle.
“They must be reacting to whatever’s in her dreams,” I mused. “I wonder…” My voice trailed off.
Reaching for the door, I’m surprised to find my hand passes straight through.
“Interesting,” Ayden said, his face hardening. “It would appear that her subconscious still trusts you, despite her conscious self wanting nothing to do with you.”
“She may be in denial about what she wants for now, but I assure you that’s only temporary,” I grit out, jaw clenching.
“For all our sakes, I hope you’re wrong.”
I twisted the handle and pushed open her door, letting us both into her room.
Pale moonlight highlighted Breyla’s tear-streaked face as she thrashed in bed. Even in pain, she was beautiful. Sitting on the edge of her bed, I placed a gentle hand on her cheek. Though her whimpers continued, her body immediately stilled at my touch.
“Come on, prick. Work your magic,” I said reluctantly.
If you would just let me stay with you, I could chase away those nightmares, little demon.I think to myself.
Ayden knelt next to the bed, placing a hand on the top of her head, gently stroking her hair. A soft amber glow trickled from his fingers to her temples, and she finally ceased crying, her breathing returning to normal.
“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but thank you.” I continued stroking her cheek. She shifted slightly closer to me in her sleep, and I mourned the lack of her regular presence next to me in bed.
“I’ve told her this, but you never have to thank me for this. Whether you believe it or not, I am not your enemy, Aurelius.”
“Your actions make that hard to believe.”
He nodded in understanding. “I get that, but someday you will believe me.”
I shake myself out of the memory, trying to force down more of the now tepid tea.
“I’m not sure even a whole pot of tea would help overcome three days of not sleeping, brother,” Ayden says, taking a seat next to me at the table.
I grunt in agreement before snapping, “Stop calling me that.”
“Testy this morning, are we?”
