Page 136 of Of Vows and War: Special Edition
Kafele shifted, quickly sitting up and reaching his hands up to gently cup my face. His deep skin was faint in the darkness, his coffee eyes holding all the warmth and love that I had watched fade from Bellamy’s eyes.
Bellamy. When would I meet him? When would Asher? Something was very wrong. These visions werenotnormal.
“What is it, my future?” Kafele asked, his once joking nickname spilling from his lips like a lifeline. I shook my head, unsure how to speak. As his thumb lifted to brush away a tear that crawled down my cheek, I closed my eyes and took in heaving breaths.
What was that? Did I make it all up? Could those visions of gods and magic and war be true?
It was as if my center of gravity had been tilted, my body swaying. The visions were bees swarming the hive that was my mind. I wanted nothing more than to be the kind of free that I had taken for granted when I fell asleep in Kafele’s arms last night.
That was no longer possible. I could feel the truth solidifying, practically see the silver thread of future in all its glory. Behind my lids, the visions plagued me. Tormented me.
“We need to get back to The Capital,” I declared, allowing my eyes to snap open. Kafele flinched at whatever look he saw on my face, his hands tightening on my jaw and neck. My rock, as always.
“Ash’s ball is not for another two weeks. We have time. You deserve rest and joy. Youdeservetime away from that wretched place.” As per usual, he was firm in his tone. As a warden, Kafele was open to change and opinions, but as my future husband, he was unflinching in his desire to see me happy. I loved that abouthim. He was not only my love, but my soul. Which was why the look on my face had him sighing in defeat. I could be steadfast too. “Why must we go now, Nic?”
Reaching up, I grabbed his hands, pulling them together before my lips and placing a lingering kiss on his knuckles. A groan sounded from deep in his throat, as if he could read my mind.
I needed release. I needed freedom from these thoughts and memories and fates.
And then I needed to get to Asher.
With a gentle shove, I pressed him back down, straddling him as his body went horizontal on the bed. Then, with a final, bleak admission, I freed my fear and opened myself up to pure joy one last time. “Doom comes.”
