It just can’t be him. That’s all I know.
The fire in my soul will die, and with it, I’ll let loose on this world a vengeance that will reek of despair.
If she takes him from me, I will turn this world into nothing but sorrow and ash.
Chapter 33
Kairhyse
Aviolent sensation crashes over my chest. A wave of darkness and despair so heavy it rips me straight from sleep. I jolt upright, my breath sharp as my hand instinctively reaches out, searching for Xeraphine.
But the space beside me is empty.
The candles that had once flickered, along with the fireplace that had warmed the room, have all burned out, leaving nothing but shadows. It’s still the middle of the night, and while I can see perfectly in the darkness, it’s not the lack of light that has me scrambling out of bed.
Where is my little demon?
Then, I hear it. A soft sniffle coming from the bathroom. The door is cracked open, the light off, but there’s movement inside.
I force myself to steady my frantic pulse. It’s Xera—her scent drifts through the air, grounding me. A quiet sigh of relief escapes my lips, but it doesn’t stop the unease curling in my gut.
I’m slowly stepping toward the door, not silencing my steps. I suppose it’s why I get, “Don’t come in.”
She sounds so tired.
“You taking a shit or something?” I jest, trying to lighten this feeling I’m having.
The soft pitter-patter of her bare feet against the tile tells me she’s moving toward me. I lean against the doorframe, waiting. The moment she opens the door, I’m already parting my lips, ready to crack a joke about a smell that isn’t even there?—
But then I see her eyes. Red, raw, and heavy.
The words die in my throat quickly.
“Nightmare,” she says, likely seeing the worry in my expression. “Another one.”
She’s been pulled from sleep several times over the past two weeks since we’ve been here, though she’s only woken me a handful of times. But this—this is the first time she’s actually gotten out of bed.
Placing my hand against her cheek, she lifts her head, gazing up at me through her lashes. “Did I wake you?”
“Unsure, you weren’t making noises that woke me. But something tugged me to wake.” I step closer, gently cradling her other cheek before pressing my forehead to hers.
“I should brush my teeth.” Her comment gives me pause. “I’ll be right back.”
Before I let her go, I press a kiss between her brows.
Waiting outside of the bathroom door while she flushes the toilet and gets herself cleaned up, my mind wanders. “Are your nightmares of what happened?” The water shuts off, and she sighs. “Or, of something else?”
I think she groans into a towel, but I’m not entirely sure, it’s just muffled. “Something else,” she finally responds, and as she steps out, her arms wrap around my neck before she leaps into my arms. I don’t hesitate—my hands move beneath her thighs, holding her securely as she buries her forehead into the curve of my neck.
This is… endearing.
“Back to bed,” she demands playfully.
Don’t push…
“Always telling me what to do, little demon.” I turn us back as she requests.
Don’t push her…
