Page 56 of Of Withering Dreams
“I’ll be fine. Let’s move.” She put her hand on top of mine and dipped her head, blowing out a breath. After a moment, she walked away with Rhaegar to gather his rucksack.
Kaden came to me and wrapped me in his arms. Calming myself, I buried my face in his chest, breathing him in. My pulse slowed as the image of my mother faded. I looked up, kissing him on the jaw and rubbing my hands up and down the sides of his waist. “You did well. You okay?”
He kissed me on my forehead and nodded, jaw clenching. I couldn’t imagine what it had been like for him to stab what looked like his mother. But I knew Kaden, and I was sure his heart was crumbling at the edges even if he wouldn’t admit it. I put one hand on him, gently sliding my thumb over his cheek.
Breena and Rhaegar returned, and we continued our journey.
We walked for hours with no sign of the meadow. The sun was dipping low, shades of magenta and orange coloring the forest.
As we entered a small clearing, Rhaegar said, “This will be good for tonight. Let’s set up camp before sundown.”
Breena and Rhaegar worked fluidly, each moving around the other in a silent dance, completing tasks without talking as if they’d done it a hundred times.
It didn’t take long before we had a small fire going.
“What do you know about the trials?” Kaden asked the warrior as I settled between his thighs, leaning against his chest. He adjusted the thin blanket we shared over my legs.
Rhaegar reclined against a log next to Breena. “It’s typically variations of combat tasks against your opponents or beasts. There have also been tests of endurance, strength, and ember. Different every turn, so I wouldn’t try to set expectations. However, working together and utilizing each of our strengths will have the best outcome.” He bent forward, poking the fire with a long stick, sparks flying.
“Dream team right here.” Breena laughed, waving one hand in a circle at each of us. Rhaegar smiled, the flames reflecting in his dark eyes.
“Have you ever competed before?” I asked.
“Not since I’ve been Gavrel’s second. And before this,” he said, holding up his tattooed hand, the silver ink blinking in the firelight against the deep, rich color of his skin, “recollections elude me, naturally.”
“What’s different this time around?” Kaden asked, leaning his chin on my shoulder.
The warrior held the stick in the flames, the end smoldering. “A turn’s supply of rations will help many. If that were the prize in the past, I would’ve participated. Alas, Ancients know I’ve never been gifted with such spoils. Otherwise, my family’s story may have been different.” He tossed the stick into the fire, leaning back and watching it burn.
He hadn’t mentioned his family much, but when he did over the last few months, it was clear that they were no longer in the mortal plane. He'd shared stories about his sister and how she’d become ill when they were young and didn’t have the nourishment required to bounce back.
I wrapped my arms around my middle, my eyelids shuttering against a rush of sympathy mingled with dread. Kaden embraced me.
I couldn’t fathom Letti being taken away from me, especially due to her basic needs not being met. But I understood losing someone you loved. I rubbed my chest, trying to soothe the ache spurred by Rhaegar’s heartbreaking history.
If he felt anything similar to the unshakable, prickling grief I had experienced, he didn’t need words right now. It was a constant companion whispering to our hearts. So, I stayed silent, as did the others, letting the peace we were blessed with tonight offer solace. At least, in this moment.
Tomorrow would be a new story. I glanced up, wishing upon the glittering stars peeking between the leaves that we all made it safely through this journey.
We stayed up for a bit, caught in silent memories and the bonfire’s crackling flames before sleep beckoned. Breena and Rhaegar claimed the first watch, so Kaden and I bid them good night as we retired to our tent.
I settled on the bedroll, snuggling into Kaden. He curled his arm over my waist, pulling my back into his front. His warmth sunk into me, and I sighed—a welcome, dreamless sleep quickly overtaking me.
My body was swathedin a stifling heat. I groaned and shifted, trying to free myself from it.Is there a rock digging into my backside?A particularly stimulating moan flitted across my ear. My eyes flew open, adjusting to the early morning dimness.
Not a rock.
Kaden’s fingers burrowed under my tunic, rubbing my belly as he pressed his hard length into me. A sleepy smile slipped across my lips, and I pushed back, enjoying the sensual sounds he made in his half-asleep state.
His gravelly chuckle vibrated into my back. “I seeyou’rethe one misbehaving, Ms. Vawn.”
“Are you going to make me share a tent with Breena?”
“Only if you stop what you’re doing.”
I smirked, grinding my bottom into him. He growled, slipping his hand along my skin, shoving my tunic and linen breastband over my chest as he cupped one heavy breast. A small moan fled my lips.
He kissed my shoulder and then nipped it. “Hush now. Unless you want our friends to hear.”
