Page 46 of Of Night and Blood: Special Edition

Thus begged the question: which of these scenarios would I be able to survive?

Finally, Bellamy broke the silence, “Would you like to talk about it?”

I stared into his eyes, trying to see where the male I met on that balcony and the one who abducted me from my home met. Where the two converged and became one.

I wanted to believe him when he said he was not the one responsible for killing my kind, but it was as if all of my energy to feel and care and try had left my body. Bellamy lifted his hand toward my face, an act meant for comfort that instead left me cringing back. I saw it, the hurt on his face at my rejection.

“I will leave you to your thoughts,” he rasped, his voice a broken symphony. “I have made sure no one is assigned to your door; you are free to roam if you would like.”

With that he got up, walking back towards my doors. I had a feeling that he was attempting to give me space.

Just as his hand grasped the handle of the door, he turned once more to face me. His lips were pursed and eyes downcast, radiating nervousness.

“I have nightmares too,” he spoke. “Maybe one day you and I will create a world where we can dream instead.”

I blinked, dumbfounded by not only his confession, but his insinuation that there would be a future where we worked together. He had to know that the day would never dawn when we were a team, but still he attempted to speak that desire into existence.

Dreamers were foolish.

Disappointment fell across his face at my continued silence, but I could not bring myself to feel sympathy or regret. I could not feel anything. So I looked away, the only signal that I was alone once more being the soft click of my doors as they closed behind The Elemental.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Aknock came not ten minutes later. It took an embarrassing amount of energy and willpower to get up. I padded over to the doors, swinging them both open carelessly. Noe stood there, her long sleeve top and flowing skirt both a soft lavender that complimented her olive skin. Her hair was all pulled to the top of her head, messily held up by a large leather band.

Behind her, three buckets floated on a black mist, bobbing up and down slightly.

“I brought you water for a bath,” she said, a smile lighting up her face. I attempted to return the smile, but by the way her face fell, I assumed I had not been quite so convincing. Nodding, I stepped out of the way, making room for her and the large buckets.

Noe waved her hand, a sideways flick that sent the black tendrils wafting towards the bathing chamber. Splashes sounded, echoing throughout the room. Neither of us moved, both prepared to submit to the discomfort—a hungry beast that would swallow us whole.

First to break was Noe, who let out a long-suffering sigh that would put any spoiled youngling to shame. The Moon crossed her arms, glaring at me.

“You are really going to ignore me now? After everything we have been through?” I openly gawked at her, the statement absurd among other things.

“I have known you for all of one day,” I argued. “I have been better acquainted with local wildlife in the fae Capital.”

Noe whooped, jumping up and throwing her fists into the air. My mouth hung open while I watched her celebrate as if she had somehow won.

“I knew that would get you to talk to me! Honestly, Ash, you are so predictable,” she said with an eye roll. Before I could tell her not to call me that, she strutted over to my bed, plopping onto it so hard that the supports groaned in protest.

Not mine, Bellamy’s. Let her break it for all I cared.

“I am not sure what you want from me, Noe,” I said, standing awkwardly beside her laying form. She crossed her arms behind her head, snuggling her body deeper into the duvet. Her eyes fluttered closed, the picture of serenity and comfort.

The buckets slammed onto the floor of the bathing room as her concentration broke, the loud bang startling me. I glared down at her, wishing she would just speak her mind and leave like a normal female. Instead, she opened her eyes and stared right back, a smirk on her face.

“What do I want? For starters, I want you to start giving a damn about yourself.” Noe shrugged.

I clenched my teeth to stop myself from spewing something genuinely hurtful, though many options came to mind. Tightening the hold on my mental gates, I offered no argument.

“And what else, dare I ask?” I responded, crossing my arms.

Her smirk widened into a toothy smile as she scooted her body towards the center of the bed, patting the spot she had previously filled. I hesitated, unsure of what she was planning. After a moment, I decided that playing along would get her out faster. I got into the bed, making myself comfortable, and waited for her to answer.

“Have you ever been in love?” she asked instead. I flipped my head toward hers, mouth agape and eyes wide—astonished at not only her audacity, but at her calm demeanor as well. “Oh come on. If you answer that question honestly, with at least some juicy details, then I will answer any question you ask.”

An incredible offer. But answering her would mean drudging up a part of my past that I had long since hidden away in the depths of my subconscious. A painful memory that I was not confident I could survive.

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