Page 76 of A Haven of Brimstone and Darkness

Her eyes snap to mine. Well, the one that can see does. The other, however, stares out from a film of white, unseeing. “You’re still alive,” I say, hardening my voice when her brows lower and her lips pinch together. “As long as that remains true, youwillbe okay.” I say the words because it needs to be true, not just for me but for her. She needs to believe them just as I do.

“It wasn’t just a dream.” It isn’t a question, but a statement.

Though she already knows it, has already heard from me and said as much before, this time, the words hold a note of finality in them. I shake my head. “No,” I say. “It wasn’t.”

Maeryn continues to cry for a long time after that, but when the tears are dried and she starts asking more questions, I give her the answers that I can. Omitting the fact that both Makeda, The Goddess of Knowledge, and Danai, the God Queen, helped us when we returned from the Hunt, I tell her about the ceremonies the Gods are using to drain and steal our powers. I tell her my suspicions that she had been chosen to be a victim of the Hunt because she’d refused to attend the Cleansing, but that the Darkhavens and I experienced memory loss and even some weakening of our powers afterward.

We talk for a long time, long enough that Theos comes to check on us—peering into the room and nodding when I catch his eyes and shake my head. Maeryn asks more questions, her concern for Niall and her relief practically a living, breathing thing when I tell her that he’s alright and that he’s being taken care of, though not by whom.

As the sun begins to set in the distance through the window, Maeryn huffs out a breath and swings her legs over the side of the bed. “What are you doing?” I ask, standing as I grab her arm when she hefts herself up to a standing position, wobbling slightly.

“No offense, Kiera,” she says, glancing back over her shoulder at the still-sleeping Ruen, “but I have no desire to sleep in the same bed as one of the Darkhavens now that I’m well enough to move.”

“You’re not well enough?—”

“I can stand,” she corrects me, though the point could be argued. “I can move. I want to go to a bedroom that is my own and I want … I want to be alone.”

Maeryn trades her grip on the nightstand and bed to my arm to keep herself upright. “You shouldn’t be alone for now,” I tell her. “And your room was emptied. There’s nothing in there.”

Her brows furrow. “Then take me to your room,” she insists, “but I am not staying here.”

An idea springs to mind. “Fine,” I say, my sudden agreeability making her stiffen at my side as she slides her one good eye my way. My lips twitch. “I’ll give you my room under one condition.”

That eye narrows.

“You let Niall stay with you,” I say.

Immediately, her body relaxes. “Niall?” Her tone is hopeful. “Do you think he would mind?”

I hold back my chuckle as I shake my head and lead her towards the door. “Believe me,” I murmur, keeping my voice low as I turn the handle and help her into the corridor, “I think he’ll find it a pleasure to sleep at your side.”

Even with the trauma she’s experienced, the damage to her face and sight, the pretty pink flush that covers her skin—creeping up her throat to her cheeks—makes me smile.

I guide Maeryn to my own bedchamber and urge her to get back into bed. Once she’s comfortable, I head to Theos’ room and ask him to send for Niall. No more than a half hour has passed when a knock sounds upon the door of my bedchamber and I open it to reveal Niall looking far more alive than before, his own skin flushed. Whatever Makeda had done for him certainly put more spirit into his step as he practically hurries past me when he spots Maeryn.

“Mistress!”

“Niall!” Maeryn’s eyes fill with tears once more as Niall goes to her side and the two share an embrace.

Reclining against the door frame, I watch as Niall quickly recalls himself and extracts himself from Maeryn’s hold, straightening his loose tunic at the collar.

“I-I apologize, that was, I mean—I-I suppose you called because you require something?”

I offer an answer before Maeryn can. “We absolutely do,” I tell him, capturing his attention as Niall turns his head towards me. “We need you to stay here with Maeryn and make sure she’s well. She cannot be left alone.”

Niall blinks, looking much like a naughty street urchin caught in the act of something nefarious. “Y-you want me to s-stay with her here?” he repeats.

My smile is brilliant as I offer him a nod and move away from the wall. “Yes, we do. Glad you understand. Thanks, Niall. We appreciate it.” I step outside the room, dragging the door shut behind me, and just before it’s completely closed, I ask for one more favor. “Oh, and you shouldn’t let her sleep alone, Niall,” I call out. “She could have nightmares.”

The door snicks shut, but I don’t shift away quite yet, waiting until I hear the soft murmuring of their voices on the other side.

“Never thought I’d catch you playing matchmaker.” Pivoting at the sound of Theos’ amused tone, I feel my shoulders droop.

“Someone should find something good out of this situation,” I say. “It’s not going to be us.”

“Hey—what?” Theos captures my arm before I can slide past him and return to Ruen’s bedchamber. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“It means that I don’t see us winning this war.” Lifting my gaze to his, I let him see the conviction in my eyes. “And even if—beyond all odds against us—we do, I don’t see any of us coming out unscathed.”

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