Page 195 of Insolence
“You’re still trying to wake up.” I force levity into my words, although I don’t know whether it’s for her benefit or mine. “Were you dreaming just now?”
“I— I don’t know.” She flails at the blankets, trying to sit upright.
The nagging is stronger now. I don’t know what it is, and I can’t tell if it belongs to me or her.
Whatever it is, it’s big, and it’s very, verywrong.
She allows me to help ease her into a sitting position, but she’s jumpy at my touch. Pulling away, she stares as if she’s never seen me before. Grabs her onyx pendant.
Her aura flares to life, a deep crimson streaked with flashes of blue. “I’m soangry, El. Why am I so angry?”
Oh, goddess help me.“Sweetheart,” I say, forcing myself to remain calm, even as dread shoots through my limbs, “you’re angry because I lied to you about being a Succubus. Because I—”
Her breathing kicks up. Becomes erratic. “W-what is a Succubus?”
Air leaves my lungs.No, no, NO.
It takes every shred of effort I can muster to steady my tone. “What happened after I left? Can you remember?”
“What do you mean?”
I swallow. Try again: “When’s the last time you saw me before now?”
“Last night, I think. Did we—” Her eyes flash to mine. “Did we havesex?” One hand flies to her head. “Gods. I’ve got asplittingheadache. It was dull a second ago, but now it feels like red-hot coals funneled into my skull.”
I stumble backward. Collapse onto her chest, slumping against the wall. “Did the prioress come in here, Tiss?”
“I think so.” Her brow furrows.
“Think so or know so?”
She blinks, breathing out a pained moan. “Yes. She was here.”
“Did she do anything to you? Give you any medicine?”
“I woke up with a cloth pressed over my nose,” she blurts, turning my blood to ice. “It washerholding it there. It reeked of rotten rose petals.”
FUCK. ME. WHY?
“She surprised me. I think I tried to fight her off, but—Shit.” Tiss whimpers from the pain, massaging her temples. “I got dizzy. Weak and sick feeling.”
My lungs constrict, doubling me over. My ribs might as well be collapsing into my chest cavity.
“What’s wrong?” Her voice comes as if through a tunnel. “Are you all right?”
It’s a chore to fuckingbreathe.All I can do is focus on the solid form of the wooden chest beneath me. The position of my feet on a floor that wants to tilt out from under me.
The room lurches like it’s trying to throw me off the top of this miserable fucking mountain. I groan.
“Leave,” she says. “You’re scaring me. I don’t want you here. I don’t know what’s happening and I think… I don’ttrustyou.” The last part is a strained hiss.
White spots dance in front of me. I can’t decide if I want to scream or cry or tear through this building on a murderous rampage.
Bewildered, she stares while I stand on wobbly legs.
“There is no universe in which I don’t keep you safe,” I say, knowing she has no idea what I’m talking about. “I love you with all my heart, Tiss. I will help you remember us and yourself all over again, if that’s what I need to do. I’ll help you fall in love with me again and again. As many times as it takes. Forever, if need be.”
“Get out,” she whispers. Watches me intently. Cautiously.
