Page 10 of Darkness Rising
Starting tomorrow things will be different. Starting tomorrow I’m going to make a change in my life somehow.
It ismylife after all.
I slump low, knees bending as I look into the sizzling flames. The light of it reflects against my skin, giving my complexion a darker, sun kissed glow.
When I finally sit down, Cameron is right there at my side.
“You should get some sleep,” he says as he stares into the heart of the fire. His amber eyes are like liquid gold as he looks into the flames, and for an instant, I see the powerful magic within them.
“I don’t sleep much.” My voice is a whisper over an echo.
An hour or two a night is all I ever manage. I used to think it was a Wild Hunt curse, but as I stayed up at night, I realized the men slept just fine.
It’s just me.
Link keeps his distance, choosing to sit opposite of me on the other side of the fire. His jaw tightens as he watches Cameron closely.
Jeriko walks away altogether, fading out into the darkness to be alone, as he normally does. Nollix doesn’t acknowledge any of us. He stands near Link but neither of them speak to one another. Nollix grabs the back of his shirt and starts to pull. The firelight skims across the deep lines of his chest as he pulls his shirt over his head. The inky lines of the Wild Hunt glimmer along his shoulder and down his ribs. My heartbeat makes itself known as I watch him quietly from a few feet away. My hands wrap around my knees pulling them closer to my chest as I stare intently at the beautiful man. His dark locks hang loosely around his strong features, but the shadows keep me from seeing the color of his eyes.
I’ve spent three years watching Nollix undress before bed and wishing he were kinder than he really is. Our eyes lock from over the tips of the flames and his hard gaze narrows on my appraising eyes before he too strides off into the shadows.
“Do you wish you could sleep?” Cameron’s question pulls at my attention.
Slowly, I nod.
I do wish I could sleep more. I wish for a few hours I could escape my constant, looming thoughts about my life or lack thereof.
“Come here.” His arm is held out to me.
Like an animal expecting a trap, I assess everything about him. The hard frame of his body, the light muscle tone, the sincere smile held in his features.
He seems harmless. Trustworthy even.
Again, he nods, encouraging me to come closer to him.
I lean into him and his warm palm skims over my upper arm as he guides me toward the ground. His body melds against mine, his chest against my back as we lie side by side.
It’s intimate and strange and addicting all at once. His body against mine is comforting, and the feeling of safety surrounds me.
I shouldn’t be as comfortable as I am. Honestly, I’m only comfortable because I know I outpower this mysterious man. Of the four Fae in the Wild Hunt, I’m the quietest. But I’m also the strongest.
“Do you trust me?” he whispers against my hair.
My legs shift against his.
I want to. In a weird way I want someone—one person at least—who I can trust in this world.
But I don’t.
“Not at all.” My eyes begin to lower as I try to keep focused on the fire.
Cameron’s light laughter shakes against my back.
“Well, try to pretend you do.”
A smile pulls at my lips and for a few seconds I do try to pretend he’s someone worthy of trust. It isn’t hard to believe he’s a kind person.
Link’s beautiful lavender eyes narrow on the two of us snuggling in the dirt. He shoves harshly against the ground before standing.
