Page 100 of Visions & Shadows

“Better?”

“Yeah.”

“This is going to hurt, Alchera. I wish there was another way, but I have to clean the wounds.” Aster’s voice cracks over the words.

I move my right arm and grip hold of Raighne’s side. His fingers tighten in my filthy hair, that’s much shorter now that it’s been cut.

I feel his warmth move through me as Aster starts to soak the raw lashes with a wet sponge.

The wounds itch and sting, but as she continues her slow assault on my raw flesh, a fire starts to burn in my wounds.

“Raighne,”I gasp, my back arching to try and get away from the pain.

His other hand grips me behind my neck, and when the burning becomes too much and a cry escapes me, Raighne crouches down until he’s at eye level with me.

“Focus on me,”he orders.

“I can’t. It hurts too much.”

Our eyes lock, and more of his warmth pours into me.

“I’ve got you, my little dreamer,”his voice cools the fever in my mind.“Just keep looking at me.”

Somehow, the pain lessens until all I feel is Raighne. I don’t dare break eye contact, scared of what will happen if I do.

“That’s it.”His palms cradle my face, and he leans forward until I feel his breaths on my lips.“Let me take all your pain.”

I watch as his eyes darken and his features tense, and I hate that he’s in pain, but I have no strength to fight him.

As his breaths speed up, my tears fall faster, and in this moment, our bond has never been stronger as my guardian takes every lick of agonizingpain from me.

Slowly, the color of his eyes starts to change from purple to dark blue until I swear I can see the night sky staring back at me. Silver flecks sparkle like stars, and I gasp as I realize taking my pain is a new talent Raighne’s developed out of pure desperation to make me feel better.

“Thank you,”I whisper as I lift my right hand to his face. He leans his jaw into my palm, the brustles scratchy against my skin.

“I’ll do anything for you.”

My eyes stare deep into his as I think,“I’m sorry I said I rejected our bond. I wanted to spare you.”

“I know.”He closes the small distance between us, and his lips press against the corner of my mouth.“But never do it again. It’s my destiny to be your guardian, not the other way around.”

I let out a burst of laughter, and pain flashes over his features, then he orders,“Keep still. If you move, the pain intensifies.”

I don’t dare move a muscle and just keep my eyes locked with his.

“I wish I wasn’t weak so you didn’t have to take my pain.”

His palms brush over my cheeks and hair, his eyes softening on me.“You’re so fucking strong. Thank you for not giving up.”

When Raighne rests his forehead against mine, and his breaths become labored, I close my eyes and focus so the pain returns to me.

It knocks the air from my lungs, and I cover my mouth with my hand to keep cries from escaping.

“No! Look at me,”he orders.

I shake my head.“Take a break. I can handle it.”

Jesus, I can’t. It feels as if they’re peeling the skin from my back.

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