Purge the darkness from my soul
The chains protected her for a short while, but as the smoke began to hover like a dark brewing storm cloud, breathing became more difficult. She coughed, waving a shackled hand over her face as the smoke lingered around her. Her lungs were already burning. The Priest and the Grand Prioress started toward the door. “Wait! I can’t breathe,” she pleaded.
They ignored her. “No, please! Don’t leave me in here!” The door shut behind them with a loud clack. Her heart plunged forward, each breath like a thousand razor-sharp blades in her lungs.
With--your--grace-- I-- shall-- rise
Beyond-- where-- the-- daemon's— darkness—
Lies.
She dipped her head to the floor where the air was cleanest. Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out.
In your love, I find my rest
With every breath--
Still, the smoke gathered and thickened.
With every breath--
She gasped out a sob. Her nose burned, and she coughed and wheezed violently. Tears gathered and streamed down her cheeks. Her vision blurred, and her head lightened as dizziness overcame her. The daemon rose up in her swiftly, a siren call in her blood. It surged out of her like a storm, a gust of wind, snuffing out incense sticks and shattering vases as it sent them clattering against the other wall.
“Pandora.”
I jolt upwith a gasp, lungs convulsing like they’re still filled with that thick smoke, but I’m not in that room. I’m here in these chambers with…Sitri bare-chested and hovering over me, one hand smoothing back my sweat-strung hair. The daemon is beating painful shocks, so close to boiling over I shudder against them. “It’s okay. Breathe. You’re safe.”
I jerk upright, away from his hand, the room still hazy around me. I’m still gasping for breaths, and I clutch at my chest, forcing them to slow. “Breathe,” he says again.
I nod, leaning away, and he drops his hand to his lap but doesn’t make to move from where he’s positioned on the edge of the couch. He watches me, brows pressed with concern.
I survey the room, searching for signs the daemon has destroyed something and brought him out of bed. “Hey.” He lays a hand against my arm, and I flinch back.He’ll feel it.
“Did I wake you up?” I rasp.
“I heard something…crash.” He rises to a stand and peers around the room. “One of my vials fell. Probably Div being a pest…” he mutters.
I don’t even think Div is here at the moment, but I’m definitely not going to correct him on that. I tug my knees to my chest, sucking in deep breaths, urging the daemon to settle. A flick of his hand later, the vial shards clatter into the bin.
His eyes land back on me, disquiet flickering through them. “Your nightmares look pretty violent. Have they… always been like that? Or is that since you…came here?”
“Um, I don’t know,” I mutter, warmth building in my cheeks at whatever it is he’s seen. “I mean, I’ve always had them, but I didn’t know they were visible.”
“Has something…happened to you?”
“No,” I bite out, pursing my lips in a clear refusal to say any more on the subject.
His skepticism is palpable but he stretches with a groan, the muscles in his abdomen pulled tight with the movement. Wearing only those black briefs, you can almost see the outline of his entire…Oh my God. I turn my head sharply. This man shouldreallywear more clothes.
“Did you….want to come sleep in the bed?”
“No,” I gasp out. I’d probably end up all wrapped around him again. I think his mind has steered in the same direction because he radiates a quiet amusement. “No, I’m fine.” I turn my head into the back of the couch, hoping he’ll get the hint I want him to leave.
I blow out a relieved breath as he retreats back to his room, however, he doesn’t close the door behind him. I soon learn it’s because his intention is to come right back out, his blanket wrapped around his shoulders. He slumps down on the other end of the sofa and kicks his long legs up on the coffee table. The lights dim, cloaking us in darkness as he flicks a hand.
“What are you doing?”
“Keeping you company from whatever it is that plagues your dreams,” he declares.
