Page 114 of Gift from the Stone

“Good. Don’t think because Tillman swooped in like a knight in shining armor, you’re not in trouble with me. The others may forgive and forget quickly, but I won’t. I don’t think my brother will either,” he promises darkly.

I jerk my eyes from his shadows and look up at Corentin. He might not be verbally confirming or denying Caspian’s words, but the heat and promise in his gaze say it all. I’m definitely in trouble with both of them for saving Tillman. Honestly, it’s bullshit, but I have a very, very good feeling my punishment won’t be a punishment at all.

“Let’s get you some coffee and food. We’ve got a lot to do today,” Corentin declares, breaking apart the fantasy I was building up in my mind.

Which I’m both disappointed in and grateful for. The caffeine headache that’s starting up is a bitch and I’ve got quite the appetite from my workout last night. As soon as Corentin passes me my coffee, I snatch it up, groaning as the first sip of sugary goodness slides down my throat, and I hide my smile behind my mug as all the guys react.

“Fuck, that sound is just as good as all the noises she was making last night,” Tillman says and I choke on my coffee, surprised he just announced that in front of the others. Don’t get me wrong, I’m pretty used to Draken explicitly saying things or calling me out, but I’m in utter shock that Tillman would do it.

Luckily, the others don’t say anything or even acknowledge his comment because I’m walking a thin line right now with my sex drive. My emotions are starting to level out with each bond, but my libido is not. It’s getting worse. I love when they’re flirty, touchy, and make sexual comments to me, but right now, I feel like I could jump their bones at any second with one good look shot my way.

I promise you; I want them just as much as the bond wants me to want them, but I don’t want it to be the driving force for any of us to bond sporadically.

Thankfully, we finish our breakfast without any more comments about the noises that come out of me, and we start making our way to the back lawn.

“The groups that traveled with us to Terravile, Gaster, and Lucas, ground leader from Crestwood, plus his Nexus, will be at the academy for this debriefing. Lyker and Rhett will be on the communicator. Once we run through everything we know, I’ll give my parents an update,” Corentin informs us as we gather around, ready for transport.

Tillman had Rhett stay behind in Terravile rather than come back to the academy with us to give Lyker some backup just in case. Plus, his Nexus is one of the few who can get through the wards at Rebel Castle, so he’ll be helping us and Lyker with the interrogations as well. As for this Lucas person, I have no clue who he or his Nexus are.

“Ready?” Tillman asks as they all lay a hand on me. At our grunts, he opens the transport, swooping us away as one to the command room in the training gym.

Stepping out, everyone’s already here and my eyes lock onto where Oakly is standing nestled into San’s side, with everyone else surrounding the long table with piles of papers and files spread across it. I don’t make it two steps toward her when excruciating pain splinters across my mind.

The caffeine headache I was bitching about earlier intensifies tenfold and a grunt falls from my lips as the sudden onslaught makes me nauseous and my vision blurry. Swaying, I latch onto Corentin’s arm for balance, stealing his attention.

“What’s wrong?” he asks as he wraps his arm around my waist to steady me.

His words are garbled, and it takes me considerable effort to piece together what he just asked me. The pain suddenly stops but leaves behind a flood of noise I can’t shake. My ears are ringing so loud, it only adds to the overwhelming number of conversations flowing through my head.

“He smells so good today…”

“These fuckers are crazy to be traveling in that forest…”

“I’m starving…”

“Why has she stopped walking…”

“What’s wrong…”

I can barely distinguish who’s saying what, and as the noise just continues to grow louder, my brain feels like it’s going to explode. There’s too much going on, too much noise; it’s like being front and center at a heavy metal concert with no noise-canceling headphones on. Dropping to my knees, I shove my fingers in my ears as tears begin to stream down my face.

“Please make it stop, please. It’s so loud. It’s too loud,” I beg, plead as four sets of hands are placed on my body, stopping my back-and-forth rocking.

“Princess…” Corentin demands firmly, causing my body to twitch; his voice, for a brief second, drowned out the rest.

“Corentin, please help me,” I choke out as the noise begins to filter back in again.

“We’re going to, baby. Listen to Tillman. Do as he tells you,” he commands, but the noise is becoming too much again, and I slam my eyes shut to force away the dizziness accompanying it.

Tillman’s hand wraps around the back of my neck, gently rubbing his fingers in calming circles, soothing away some of the pain. “Look at me, little warrior. Tell me what’s happening,” he orders softly, his voice causing the same reaction, and I force my tear-soaked eyes to blink open to him.

“There’s so much noise, so many voices. It’s taking over my mind,” I cry out.

“Okay, Willow, focus on me, focus on my voice. Don’t think of anyone or anything else, just me. Do that for me,” he instructs and I lock onto his eyes, trying my hardest to do as he says.

“Think about my voice. Listen to it. Is it all you can hear, or do you hear everyone else still?” he asks.

“Just you, only you,” I breathe.

---