Page 60 of When Hearts Awaken

“Not happening. You’re no good to us in this state,” he mutters, and my eyes shut again. Everything is so bright—too bright, too noisy. So much pain.

“Shit, this place is a pigsty,” he complains under his breath. “How the hell do you find anything?” I hear him kick something out of the way—it better not be the new box of self-help books that came in the mail yesterday.

He drops me onto the bed, and I groan from the pain throbbing in my head. I hear him move about the room and a moment later, a draft flows in.

“Too cold, close the window,” I grumble.

“It smells bad in here. Go rest. I’ll call Ian and tell him you’re out sick.”

I drift in and out of consciousness as sleep threatens to pull me under at any second. I hear his deep voice on the phone, rumbly and reassuring.

My eyes drift open and I see the blurry visage of him striding over, lines of concern marring his face. He hovers over me and for a brief second, my pulse kicks up as I’m reminded of that dark night, but as soon as the thought drifts in, another thought quashes it.

I’m safe.

Charles does something to the bed, and the next thing I know, I’m beneath the covers, tucked in tightly.

“Go to sleep. I’ll take care of everything,” he whispers, and my eyes drift closed once more. His finger grazes my cheek and I shiver.

“Right,” I mumble, “or else I’m no good to you all.” A hollow ache appears in my chest. Dancing—he’s only concerned about the performance.But it’s okay, Taylor. You don’t want emotional entanglements, anyway.

Darkness overtakes me.

The next time I open my eyes, it is pitch dark and I wake up in a panic, my head burning hot.Charles. Where are you?

“Liam, I wish you’d pick up my call. I…I worry about you. Ethan told me you’re fine. You’re in Japan now?”

He’s still here.Relief hits me and my fevered pulse settles as I listen to his voice emanating from the living room, his words temporarily distracting me from how sick I’m feeling.

“I’m sorry. I know I’ve said sorry too many damn times and none of it matters. If I could turn back time and undo it all, I would. I wish I were the one in a coma. I…I miss you, brother. Fuck.” A choked sound escapes his mouth and my heart clenches.

I want to climb out of my bed and go to him, wrap my arms around his waist and take him away from what clearly are painful memories, just like how he’s rescued me from mine during the kiss…albeit temporarily.

But the aches in my body, the heaviness of my limbs, the exhaustion weighing on my eyelids are too strong, and soon I drift back to sleep.

The rest of the night passes by in snippets—a slideshow of chills, fever, and body aches. My sleep is turbulent. I’m drifting in the dark ocean again, but this time, the waves are as tall as me as a violent storm rages around me. There’s no moon, no stars, no sign of life.

I’m all alone.

“Help!” I cry out, my voice hoarse.

Another wave crashes over me, the icy water choking the air out of my lungs. I can’t breathe.

“Help—”

“Shhh…” the ocean rumbles and wraps its icy tendrils around my body.

“No…” I struggle, but the waves are too powerful.

“Shhh… You’re having a nightmare, Tay. Just a nightmare. You’re safe,” the dark waters whisper again. “Take your medicine. You’re going through the worst of it.”

Suddenly, I’m lifted upright and the grinding headache stabs me again.

“Shhhh…” The deep voice is back and I feel my face being tipped back when I open my eyes, seeing him, my nemesis.Is he still my nemesis?

“Charles?” I’m delirious—this can’t be him.Why would he still be here? How much time has passed?

“Yes, minx. Take this,” he murmurs, his voice gentle as he puts two pills in my mouth, then places a glass up to my lips. “Drink up. Dehydration makes everything worse.”

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