Page 23 of The Discovered
The last bit of warmth in my body left as Daelon let go of my hand, and I feared that I would never be able to feel any heat ever again. I instantly sucked in air and opened my eyes, still shivering all over. Daelon’s eyes were panicked and confused, and the circle of fire around us had vanished into smoke.
“I don’t understand,” he said, reaching to pull the blanket beneath us up and around my body. He hugged me to his chest, grasping my ice-cold hands to heat them up.
“You said you wouldn’t hurt me,” I accused. My teeth chattered violently. “What have you done?”
“I was just buying us some time,” Daelon said. Worry seeped into his voice. “I don’t know why you had that kind of reaction.”
“Because that energy wasevil,” I hissed through my clenched jaw. I wanted to escape Daelon’s hold, but I was too cold, and he was so warm.
Daelon stared down at me, grimacing and then looking away. “I—I don’t know why—I promise Áine, I would’ve done it differently if I had known you were so sensitive to that kind of energy. I guess it makes sense, but I don’t know…” He frowned, as if remembering something, his eyes darting back to mine.
“It wasn’t an evil spell? Like to kill someone?” I asked. Even if it was to protect me, I don’t think I could tolerate being used in that way without more context.
“No,” he said quickly. “I would never channel you for something like that without your express permission. I think this has to do with who you are. Some sources of power may run contrary to your very existence,” he said, looking off, deep in thought.
Who am I? What kind of sources?My mothers always told me I was made up of everything good in the world. They told me I gave people hope, that I was conceived out of love, and a gift from the Goddess. But a gift to whom and for what purpose?
Daelon clutched me tighter, and despite what he had just put me through, I felt safe in his arms. I was just so cold.
“I’m so sorry,” he whispered into my hair, and I found myself nuzzling into his chest for warmth. He smelled woodsy and clean.
“Was it at least worth it?” I asked, muffled by his sweater.
“Yes.”
“Good.” I wasn’t ready to face whatever awaited us, not if it had anything to do with the pitch-black void of lifelessness and pain I felt today and in my nightmares. I didn’t mind spending more time with Daelon here in our bubble.
“Let’s get you inside,” he said. “I’ll start a fire.”
I feared he already had.
Chapter6
Isat on the floor facing the flames in the oversized fireplace, my body temperature beginning to regulate again. Daelon draped a blanket over my shoulders and sat down next to me.
“Want a drink?” He held up an unlabeled bottle of caramel-colored liquid with reddish hues. I assumed it was whiskey.
“Absolutely.”
Daelon grinned and took a swig.
“Straight from the bottle, huh?” I asked.
“Would you like a glass?”
I grabbed the bottle from him, my fingers brushing against his. I took a pull and held his gaze. It tasted of vanilla, honey, spice, and fire, warming my insides as it left a pleasurable burn in the pit of my stomach.
“It tastes Irish,” I said, handing it back to him.
“It’s from a similar region, actually. Here, not on Earth.” He paused, his face falling. “This is actually one of the last bottles ever made there.” He looked mournful, taking another swig and staring at the bottle in deep contemplation. “A beautiful place.”
“Thank you for sharing it with me.”
He looked so angelic when he was vulnerable. It was such a stark difference between this and the mask he usually wore. Everything about him seemed tied to his role as a shield—constantly on the defense—as if showing weakness would destroy him. I knew how exhausting that could be. It was a tactic of the deeply heartbroken. Or people who lived in a world they didn’t belong.
“What were your parents like?” I asked.
He shook his head and gave me a warning look as he passed the bottle back to me. There was so much of him that was off-limits. As I took another swig, I began to feel the familiar numbing flood my system. It was a nice break from the constant badgering from all the forces of the Universe.
