Page 13 of A Spark Of Revenge

Frowning, I pull myself from the fog of sleep and whimper a little when I realize that the warmth and comfort I was feeling were false, since I feel like I have been hit by a damn truck.

“Mi Sol?” a familiar voice whispers before warm hands cup my cheek, lightly turning me to face them. I groan when the movement sparks more pain in my head, and the warm hand strokes my cheek, soothing me as I try to remember what the hell is going on.

The memories are slow to return; the bliss of my dreams, which I can't even remember now, are heavy on my mind, making me more confused than ever. But eventually, I feel almost awake and try to open my eyelids again. The light that streams into the tiny shack that Valen and I found last night is enough to make me wince. But I keep my eyes open as they focus on pale, flawless skin, perfect white-blond hair, and a soft smile that is almost distracting enough for me to forget the aches in my body. Almost.

“I want to say good morning,” Valen says softly, reaching out to brush some of my tangled hair away from my forehead. “But I don't think that is the case for you. Where are you hurting?” he asks, eyes roaming over my body, one hand pressed to my cheek while the other attempts to smooth back my hair.

I try not to notice how freaking gorgeous Valen looks, crouching down next to the bed I’m lying in. His clothes are wrinkle-free even though he slept in them all night, and it looks like his hair is brushed and styled. The dark rings that were present last night have vanished, and he looks even better than when he appeared in my dreams. There’s an odd sort of energy radiating from him like some mythical God.

I know without a doubt that I look rough when I wake up. My eyes are swollen for the first few minutes, and I always end up with imprints from the pillow on my cheeks, no matter how many types of pillowcases I try. When Valen's smile grows as he watches me, I realize he’s asked me a question and I’m staring at him like some kind of brainless idiot.

Bringing my hand to my mouth, I try to wipe at my lips discreetly, ensuring I don't have any dried drool there. Then I rub at my tired eyes and try to sit up, ignoring the burning pain in my lower back that radiates down to my ass and the throbbing in my head as I do. My side aches and I’m worried I did something to my ribs when Valen and I fell from the freaking sky last night. Valen pulls back, letting his hand fall from my face, his pale green eyes watchful as I sit upright on the bed. It's freezing in the room, and I shiver as I leave the warmth of the blankets I had been cocooned in.

“I’m fine,” I mutter on instinct and watch as Valen crooks a disbelieving brow at me. “My head hurts a little,” I amend, making Valen’s smile dim as his finger grazes over my temple, his touch feather light, yet still enough to form a physical response as goosebumps cover my arms.

“And?” he prods, making me sigh, the hot air fogging between us as it leaves my lips.

“And my back is a little sore,” I mutter, lifting my other hand to pat at my hair and flinch when a burst of pain radiates from my palm. “Oh,” I mutter, bringing my hand to eye level and puffing out a long sigh. “Forgot about that one,” I admit with a small smile as Valen frowns, grabbing my injured hand and glaring at it like the very sight of the wound offends him. The weird twinge of pain from where the magic sparked on my wrist flares for the briefest of moments, but not long enough to cause concern or mention to Valen.

“This needs to be washed,” Valen murmurs, his long fingers brushing over my palm, tracing the edge of the red and angry looking gash that I got while running from Razar and Lennox last night.

“Probably. I bet there is a med kit in one of those cabinets.” I nod across the room where the lantern I lit last night rests, the flame now extinguished. Slowly, I swing my feet off the bed, moving to stand as Valen's hand lowers to my knee, squeezing it a little as he stands.

“I’ll grab it. You stay there.” He’s back in seconds with a small metal box and sits on the bed next to me as he quickly searches through the limited supplies. Leaning close to him, I spot two small white packages of Tylenol and snatch them up, winking at him as I open one pack, dropping the two white pills into my palm and swallowing them before offering him the other. Valen eyes it and shakes his head.

“I’m not in need of pain relief,” he whispers, and I scowl.

“Really? You were practically dead last night, Valen. You should take them so you're not hurting,” I offer again, and Valen grins.

“I’m not in pain, Mi Sol. I may not have the ability to heal people, and I don't heal the way Umbra Hunters do, but my magic can block the pain for me, and honestly, I’m not injured. It was exhaustion that was the problem. You, however, are hurt and in need of medical attention.” he grumbles, his smile fading as he grabs some swabs and ointment.

“So... you have built-in pain relief?” I ask in awe, making Valen’s lips quirk up as he reaches over and grabs my wounded hand, cleaning it first before dabbing on some ointment and wrapping it with gentle hands.

“I suppose that's one way to describe it. Dream Walkers have always been excellent magic users. We excel in all kinds of magic, especially the ones that deal with the body and mind.”

“So, does that mean I will be able to do that? I’m a Dream Walker, right?” I ask.Valen purses his lips, his eyes staying on my hand as his thumb runs over the white bandage.

“You are,” he finally says. “But I’m unsure how strong of a Dream Walker you will be. It’s impossible to tell without a blood and magic test.”

“I’ve already had my blood tested. I’m in the Regalis bloodline,” I remind him, making him chuckle as he lets my hand go and stands, taking the small first aid box back to the cabinets.

“Yes, I recall you saying that, but have you ever wondered why you are different from the other Regalis bloodline members?” Vallen asks, tossing me an amused look over his shoulder and making me frown in response.

“Because I’m fr—”

“No!” Valen snaps, his raised voice startling me enough that I jump as he pivots on his heel. He glares at me as he leans a hip against the counter, crossing his arms over his broad chest. “We already had this discussion, Mi Sol. You are not broken. Those men just didn't realize you were more than what they saw on the surface. They judged you for being lesser than them when, in all reality, you are so much more.” I snort at his obvious joke but stop when his expression darkens.

“You can't be serious,” I mutter after a long, awkward pause. Valen watches me, his lips thin as his eyes stay locked with mine before he moves, walking over to me with a grace I know I will never be able to replicate, and crouches back down in front of me.

“Deadly. You were never meant to work alongside the Hunters, Regina. You were created for far greater things.” I laugh nervously, shifting on the bed and tearing my eyes away from Valen's captivating ones.

“You sound slightly delirious. Are you sure you don't have a concussion or something?” I tease, then gasp when Valen's hand darts out, grabbing my chin between his thumb and forefinger, forcing me to look back into his eyes. “What are you doing?” I whisper when he doesn't say anything.

“I went weeks with only glimpses of your face. I spent countless hours waiting and wondering when you would call me to you again,” he rasps, thumb moving from my chin to drag over my bottom lip as he leans closer. My breath hitches, and I hold it as Valen draws so close, our noses brush. The sweet scent of citrus swirls around us, and warmth blossoms where Valen’s fingertips touch my lip, sending a burst of heat straight to my center. “I don't like it when you look away from me,” he murmurs, tilting his head to the side, our breath mingling. My eyes flutter shut, and my body sings with pleasure as I brace myself for his kiss. Only, in the next moment, Valen pulls back, letting his hand fall from my chin as he stands. My eyes fly open, my mouth dropping in shock when he turns and moves to the small window with the shutters already opened.

Okay, did I totally misread that situation? Shit, maybe I have morning breath and it turned him off? My heart sinks while my brain yells at me for almost kissing Valen. I probably shouldn’t go around kissing every man I find incredibly attractive on this damn mountain. I think I've more than proven I make terrible choices in who I trust, and I need to keep my wits about me. I rub the bridge of my nose and sigh, a slight blush creeping up my cheeks. Serves me right for judging men for only thinking with something other than their brain.

“I’m sure you have more questions, and I will answer them. But we need to find food. There is nothing here besides a lantern, a few candles, and the medical supplies,” Valen says, looking out at the snowy landscape while I try to regain my composure. “We need to get off this mountain,” he adds, frowning at the snow piled up outside. Dread pools in my stomach at that thought, and I stand, shaking my head.

---