Page 83 of Haunted

She laughs, softly, as I’m about to be overcome by dreams, which I hope are pleasant.

I crack open my right eye. “What’s so funny?”

“You didn’t want me to think you were a rogue.”

I scoff, amused with her train of thought. “I didn’t, but I knew the truth was unavoidable.”

“A rogue with a conscience.”

“Niawen.” I turn my face away. “Don’t feel sympathy for me.”

“Sympathy? You’re right. Maybe I should hate you for deceiving me.”

That catches my attention, snapping me out of a sleepy stupor. I clutch my stomach as I curl slightly, mocking her. “Ouch. She wounds.”

“You dragged me into this. You contrived this from the beginning. You used your cunning words to seduce me into helping you. I should be furious.”

I sit up in bed, concerned I’ve upset her with my teasing. The covers slide down to my waist, revealing my linen bed shirt. “But you’re not. You’re far from furious.”

She cocks her head but then shakes it. “What are we going to do about your nightmares?”

“Nothing can be done.” I open my arms. “I embrace them.”

“You’re insufferable,” she says.

“I think you keep calling me these hurtful adjectives because you’re hiding how I really make you feel.”

“And how do you make me feel?”

“I’m waiting for you to realize that yourself. But I will say you’d have a hard time living without my charm.”

She scrunches her nose as she stands, placing her hands on her hips. She’s ready to head back to her room, and I’m crestfallen over the notion.

“I’m sick of traipsing across the citadel to shake you out of your torment,” she suddenly says.

Wait, she’s joking. She’s ribbing me. I concede to the playful hint in her voice and return her banter. “The death of a dragon is excruciating. I wouldn’t wish these dreams on anyone.”

She sighs, and I wonder what she’ll do next when she reaches for my comforter. “Scoot over.”

The blood drains from my face. “What? No.”

She lifts the comforter’s edge and shoves me over as she slides under. I roll, ending with my face buried in the pillows on the far side of my bed. I take a deep breath before pushing up on my elbow. Panic has thoroughly seized me.

You are tormenting me. This is perilous, for you. My heart constricts. My mind blares sirens, but I manage to choke some words out. “I’m not comfortable with this.”

She leans over me, snatches an extra pillow, and cuddles around it as she settles back on her side of the bed. “Just go to sleep. I’ll be here if you scream again.”

I’m screaming inside. I glare at her, unable to tear my eyes from her restful expression. She is perfectly at ease with this.

Control the demon. Control the urge to take her and make her mine.

There will be no sleep for me tonight.

59

Niawen’s gone. She left me for the day, yet her presence lingers. She didn’t wake me before she slipped from my chambers. She stole away as if she were guilty.

But she’s not.

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