Page 55 of Of Withering Dreams
“The less to carry, the better,” Rhaegar responded, shifting a rucksack on his shoulder. A wicked battle axe was strapped to his back, its blade glinting in the shafts of light sprinkling through the tree canopy.
“I know, but you snore. Ah, perhaps I can share with Kaden.” She wiggled her eyebrows.
“Uh, I’m spoken for.” Kaden chuckled, fiddling with the baldric across his chest, his sword hilt bobbing behind his back.
“Bollocks. Sharing is caring. Right, Ryn?”
A snort escaped me as Kaden huddled closer, his hand clinging to the thigh of my black trousers. I tapped my finger against my lips. “Hmmm. Let’s see if he misbehaves and revisit the sleeping situation.”
“How dare you,” Kaden gasped. “I’ll have you know that I plan on misbehaving”—He swatted my bottom—“andsleeping in your tent.”
Rhaegar swung his head side to side, a small smile playing over his lips, and a whoop of laughter fell from Breena. I grinned, stretching on the toes of my ankle boots to kiss him on the cheek, but he turned quickly and met my lips with his.
“Up ahead.” Rhaegar tipped his chin forward.
All morning, we had traveled along the edge of the coastal cliff. Little critters frolicked or flew out of our way as we hiked through the woods. Ahead of us, the veil swayed and glittered. A quick intake of breath raced through my nose.
“Well, that’s fecking impressive.” Breena jogged ahead, her rucksack bouncing.
As we reached the boundary, Kaden grabbed my hand, holding it tightly. To our left, waves churning and crashing against the sea cliff mimicked the trepidation rolling through me.
I looked at each of them, nodding, and we stepped through. The familiar energy in my scar vibrated, and heat swept through my body. All our eyes were glowing brightly, little beads of swirling light stuck to our clothing.
Breena’s mouth was agape, her fingers fluttering over the tiny orbs as they leaped off our bodies and back into the twinkling shroud. She spun, laughing, as the sparkling air twirled around her, the moss illuminating where she danced.
She paused, the glow in her eyes—in all our eyes—fading. “Is this what you see all the time, Seryn?” She slid her finger over a nearby tree, its glimmer following her touch.
“Not exactly. I see auras of living things when I want or when they’re feeling all the feels.” I shrugged. “This place is something else. The colors are insane and the sparkles—so many sparkles.” I spun one finger through the glittering air, and Breena smiled bemusedly, watching as it frolicked.
Breaking our trance, Rhaegar walked forward. “Shall we? We’ve got a lot of ground to cover.”
“We shall,” Breena agreed, putting her arm through his elbow.
We didn’t get far before a disembodied rasping voice flitted through my mind.
Little Staaar.
A shiver ran over me, and I gritted my teeth, shoving my hands through my curls.
“Gran?” Breena murmured, her eyes glassing over as she tried to pull away from Rhaegar.
I grabbed her forearm before she had the chance to wander. “Steady yourself, Breena. It’s a mare wyrm.”
Kaden drew his sword, rolling his shoulders back, his jaw set square. He marched toward the creature’s call, his biceps tense and fist clutching the hilt of his weapon.
Breena struggled against her friend, trying to run forward and calling for her grandmother. When she cursed at him and went for her curved daggers, the warrior dropped his rucksack with a sigh. Around it, moss lit up as it landed. Then, Rhaegar picked her up by the waist and positioned her wriggling body over his shoulder.
“You bloody bastard! Unhand me!” Breena yelled.
He nodded toward Kaden, and I drew my dagger, trailing after him. She needed to see the beast to understand better that it wasn’t her loved one, just its cruel power playing tricks.
As we approached, Rhaegar set Breena down, barring one enormous arm around her to keep her in place as she reached her arms out and cried, “No!”
Kaden strode up to the Void creature and, without hesitation, stabbed through its belly. I winced at the sight of my mother being impaled but lifted my chin as her image quickly morphed into that of a gelatinous leech writhing and screeching.
As it slumped to the ground, Breena calmed, falling limp in Rhaegar’s arms. He released her, and she smoothed her hands over her red tunic and trousers. She scrubbed her hands over her face, huffing. “So, those are the fecking worst.”
I rested my hand on her shoulder. She was still a bit rattled, but probably wouldn’t admit it. It wasn’t pleasant seeing someone you loved being hurt.
