Page 120 of Secrets of Avalon

The words pound in my head, growing louder until they're all I can hear, all I can think. Just when I think I can't take it anymore, something inside me snaps.

A scream tears from my throat.

My eyes fly open, and I bolt upright, gasping for air.

The cool night breeze vanishes, replaced by the soft morning warmth of the solarium. I jolt upright, heart hammering against my ribs, a scream caught in my throat. Disorientation crashes over me in choppy waves as I struggle to separate reality from the nightmare. Aena's desperate eyes still burn in my mind.

The door bursts open. Hawke charges in, sword in hand, his eyes wild. Kellan is right behind him, his massive form filling the doorway.

"Melinda!" Hawke rushes to my side. "Who hurt you? Where are they?"

I open my mouth to respond, but sob escapes instead. The remnants of the dream cling to me like a second skin, cold and suffocating.

Hawke's sword clatters to the floor. In an instant, he's there, strong arms enveloping me. I burrow into his chest, inhaling deeply. The scent of pine and leather floods my senses, anchoring me to reality. I’m not in the dream anymore.

Aena is gone.

"It was her," I choke out between ragged breaths. "Aena. She was in my dream. It... it hurt so much. She kept screaming that I'd stolen something from her. That she wanted it back."

Hawke stiffens, his arms tightening around me. A low growl rumbles in his chest, vibrating through me. Over his shoulder, I see Kellan move closer, his eyes sweeping the room with predatory intensity.

"Did you see anyone here, Domina?" Kellan's voice is calm, but deadly.

"No, she was in my dream. It was just a dream." I swallow hard, tasting salt. "But the pain... it was so real."

"I'm so sorry, my sweet girl, my love." Hawke presses his lips against my temple. I can feel him trembling, feel his fear and anger through our bond.

"Did she say what was stolen, Domina?" Kellan’s expression is intensely serious.

I pull back slightly, forcing myself to meet his gaze. "No." I shake my head. "She just... kept demanding I give it back."

Kellan’s posture relaxes fractionally, but his eyes never stop scanning the room.

Hawke shifts, and suddenly I'm weightless in his arms. He cradles me against his chest. "Let's get you back to our room. Elen and Lydia are waiting for you. We must prepare for today." His stride never falters once as we move through the dim corridors. "My brother has arrived with his wife, and my parents would have us break bread this morning before the ceremonies start."

The next few hours pass in a blur of activity. Elen and Lydia fuss over me, their gentle hands and soothing words a balm to my frayed nerves. They dress me in a gown of soft blue silk, its flowing lines remind me of a cascading waterfall.

As they guide me to a full-length mirror, I catch my breath. The gown hugs my curves before flowing out in a gentle sweep, making me look taller, more regal. Intricate silver embroidery adorns the bodice, catching the light with every movement. My hair has been plaited into a braid with a few loose wisps that frame my face. I’m like a princess at a ball in the Lord of the Rings, if that were a thing.

Hawke steps into an adjacent room to change, returning moments later as Lydia finishes lacing up the fancy sleeves on my dress.

My heart skips a beat at the sight of him. He's a vision in deep midnight blue. His jacket, tailored to perfection, accentuates the breadth of his shoulders and the lean strength of his body. His silver and black hair has been tied back, and several braids along the sides of his head emphasize the beautiful angular planes of his face. But it's his eyes that capture me—full of pure adoration and desire that makes my heart swell.

He steps forward, offering his arm. "Ready?"

I take a deep breath, squaring my shoulders. The nightmare lingers at the edges of my mind, but I push it aside. Today is about new beginnings, about hope. I’m not going to let anything get the better of me. Not even Hawke’s brother marrying the enemy. I’m safe with Hawke. With his family.

"Ready."

Together, we step into the corridor and Kellan falls into step behind us as we make our way towards the grand hall. The doors are pushed open by the attendants, and we step inside to a very uncomfortable silence.

Hawke's arm tenses beneath my hand, but that’s the only physical manifestation of the blinding rage coursing through him when he lays eyes on Julius Darkwood.

King Theon and Queen Isolde sit at the head of the table, their faces flat and unreadable. At the opposite end of the table Destrien sits silently with Julius Darkwood at his right and Vencia Darkwood to his left

"Mother, Father." He keeps his voice formal and controlled. He nods to each of them in turn, pointedly ignoring the others. "I apologize for our tardiness."

"Hawke, Melinda." Queen Isolde's voice is warm despite the tension. "Please come and sit. Eat."

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