Page 61 of The Spark that Ignites
Dreams of her sister, her slim fingers slipping from Emmery’s grasp, Maela’s red hair dripping blood. She pleaded for her sister’s return, but Maela forever lingered out of reach.
Dreams of Vesper, whistling that song in her heart, the notes off-tune. A puzzle piece that didn’t quite fit. His voice begged her to stay awake, but the warm blanket of sleep smothered her.
Dreams of her daggers sinking into the spring monster’s flesh, the blackness saturating her skin, infecting, expanding that deep, dark void inside her soul.
Last, she dreamed of a phantom with panicked green eyes. His hands reached for her among the darkness. It was pointless but he pulled and pulled, straining until the shadows released her.
BITS OF SUNLIGHT BLEDthrough the cracks of her fingers as Emmery extended her hand. “What’s your favourite season?” she asked, her voice as light as her chest.
“Winter,” Shade answered simply.
Sun rays warmed Emmery’s cheek as she lay on her side in a grassy field, honeysuckle lacing the fresh, spring breeze. She gazed at Shade on his back, hand tucked behind his head, his wavering side profile preventing her from deciphering the lines of his face. Hopefully he didn’t mind the barrage of questions to get some answers. To maybe unearth who he was. Only fragments of their time pieced together since she was able to remember him for the first time.
But it wasn’t enough. She wanted to know everything.
“Really?” She scoffed. “Winter is so ... morbid.”
Beneath the mist, the corners of his mouth turned up. “That’s why I like it. It’s cold and all the plants are long dead, hibernating until the sun returns. Yet people still smile. They still get up every day and carry on with their lives as if the world isn’t dying around them. I’ve always loved the snow too. And yours?” He smirked as if he already knew the answer.
She hid her smile behind her hand. “Guess.”
“Spring,” he declared, grinning from ear to ear. “Of course it’s Spring.”
“Am I that predictable?” Emmery flopped onto her back “It’s the beginning of all things. It’s so beautiful with all the colours and smells. I’m a sucker for flowers. Any flowers really, but I used to dream about these brilliant night blooming plum-coloured roses and no matter how far I travelled I could never find them. I couldn’t get them out of my head. I don’t even know how I dreamed them up if they don’t exist but, if I ever had a home, I would want the garden overflowing with them. And the smell of the air after it rains on a warm day is—” She turned to catch his contemplative smile, his eyes tracing the lines of her face and her heart picked up, thrumming in her chest. “What?”
“You’re adorable when you talk about things you love.”
She let loose a long sigh. “Unfortunately, those things are sparing these days.” At least she wasn’t alone now. She had Aera—a true gift from the gods and a beacon in the black sea of her problems. And whatever Vesper was.
“Oh, come now. There’s plenty to take pleasure in. Like your nights with me.” A cleansing breeze swept in with his wicked grin. “What do you do for fun then?”
“Not that nights with you aren’t oh so memorable—” He sucked in a breath at her jab. “But I read. A lot.” Gods, she sounded unfathomably boring.
“Your favourite book? Perhaps I’ve read it.”
“I doubt it.” The answer came with ease. “There’s a novel I misplaced long ago. I think it was the only copy, and it never had a title so I couldn’t tell you what it’s called. It was a love story of sorts. It sort of ... helped me through the darkest time in my life.” She fidgeted with the end of her braid. “And you?”
He turned his head, raising a brow. “Besides invading your dreams?”
She laughed. “Yes, besides your acute fascination with starring in my dreams.” She rolled onto her side to face him. “What do you do when you’re not here?”
“I’m not sure. I told you, I don’t remember much. Sometimes thoughts pop into my head, but they’re usually only prompted by things you say.” He narrowed his eyes. “And what would you do without me? Your dreams would be utterlydull. I’mmerely here to entertain you. No need to thank me but you’re eternally welcome.”
She drew her bottom lip between her teeth and bit back a grin. “Well, entertain away, Shade.”
He studied her lips. “Why are you asleep right now, Emmery? Taking a catnap?”
“I could ask you the same thing.” Her brows drew together, a crease forming between them. “I don’t remember. Maybe I fell asleep.”
Shade propped up on his elbows, his eyes closed as the sun’s rays illuminated his hazy face. “To answer your question, I'm not sure I have fun anymore.” He drew slow, even breaths, his face scrunching as he delved deep into his memories. “I haven’t played for a long time, but I used to like music.”
“Music? Do you play an instrument?”
“A few. And I did at one time.” He shrugged like it was an insignificant feat.
“Wow, that’s—” Her throat tightened with inferiority. “Amazing.”
“What kind of music do you like? You could play some right now.”
