Page 77 of Barbi and the Villain

He’s on his back with one hand under his head. His long body is stretched on the ground, with nothing to cushion him from the abrasive soil.

Why hadn’t he come to the tent? We’d set it up for this exact reason, so we would be comfortable lying down. The stubborn man had gone through the trouble of getting special beds for the dogs but had paid no mind to his own comfort.

I shake my head.

He releases another low moan, his lips half parted, his face marred by a scowl.

He must be having a nightmare. And after being imprisoned for so long in that dungeon, I don’t blame him. He probably has all types of PTSD related to it.

Reaching his side, I get to my knees and carefully touch his shoulder.

“Nykander? Wake up and come to the tent. You’ll be more comfortable there.”

Of course I don’t expect him to easily acquiesce. In fact, he might put up a fight for the mere fact that I am in the tent too. He sometimes behaves as if I were a leper—which is not great for my confidence. Alas, hopefully, he will make an exception this time so we can all go back to sleep.

“Nykander?” I push gently against his shoulder.

He murmurs something, his brows bunched up together, his body rocking softly from side to side.

I lean in closer to his mouth and strain to hear what he’s saying.

“Mo…”

Mo?

“More what?” I ask, but he doesn’t seem to hear me.

Drops of sweat are gathered on his forehead and dripping down his face. I place the back of my hand to his skin. He’s burning! Is this normal? Shouldn’t he self-heal?

“Don’t,” he rasps. “Mo… Don’t… Please…”

He’s not making any sense.

“Nykander.” I shake him gently. “You’re having a bad dream. Wake up!”

He doesn’t react.

He’s trapped in his nightmare, trying to claw his way out of it but being unable to do so. And I don’t know how to help him.

“Nyk, please…” I whisper.

His eyes snap open.

Despite the darkness of the night, his eyes shine brightly, a molten silver that lights up as he sets his gaze on me.

“You’re awake.” I release a sigh of relief. “I was worried for a moment since you weren’t answering and…”

My relief is short-lived as I find myself on my back with him looming on top of me, his hand wrapped around my neck. It’s not a bruising hold. In fact, it’s almost gentle as he swipes his thumb over my skin in circular motions. His warmth transfers to my skin, infiltrating my pores and consuming me like a raging inferno.

My heart thuds in my chest.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

The sound echoes in my ears, complemented by his harsh breaths as he stops a breath away from my face. A low tremor starts from the base of my skull, traveling all the way to my toes, making them curl and do a weird dance of excitement.

I lick my lips, staring into his beautiful face.

His eyes are on mine, his stare boring into me.

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