Page 102 of Enchanted Kisses
“Well, I do. I don’t feel him. Usually, I feel a connection to him, like a string tied between us, pulling me toward him. But I feel nothing but emptiness.”
With a shiver, I wrapped my arms around my waist. I missed it—the part of him that filled me and drew me to him. I’d grown so accustomed to it; without the pulling sensation, it felt like half of my soul and heart were missing.
Raysa smiled thoughtfully.
“What?”
“I’ve heard of that. It’s rare and only happens between supernatural beings destined to be together. Had you mentioned that earlier—” She clamped her lips together. “Never mind. You’re not feeling it because the dungeons are filled with oleander root. Not enough to kill but enough to weaken. Therefore, you wouldn’t sense his essence, or pull as you call it.”
“He really loves me,” I thought aloud.
Raysa touched my arm. “I believe he does. This will work.” She brushed hair from my face. “Waiting one more day is the safest thing to do.”
With reluctance, I nodded until her words registered. I shot to my feet. “Onemoreday? How many days has it been?”
Briella’s eyes bulged again. She shuffled farther away.
Raysa stiffened, as if prepared to tackle me. She raised her hand to my shoulder.
“Stay. Calm.” She emphasized each word, then waited until I simmered down. “Four days.”
“Four days! He’s been there for four days?” My body shook with anger that seemed directed at Briella. I sharpened my gaze on her. “Go now. Or I’ll… I’ll call for Dagan.”
“No, Lily.” Raysa jumped between us. “You’re not thinking rationally. He’s the reason Caiden didn’t come back. If you call for Dagan, we’re worse off than before.” She placed her fingers to my temples. “I’m sorry to do this, but it’s for your own good.”
I snatched her wrists and tried to pull them away, but they didn’t budge.
She closed her eyes and, before I could refuse, my mind blanked. She spoke to me, although I wasn’t sure whether her voice was in my ears or my head.
“You will rest in bed until I wake you.” Her voice rang calm and clear. “You will fall into a deep sleep and search your subconscious until you find what is blocking your powers. When I wake you, you will be healed, centered, and ready to do what must be done. Do you understand?”
“I understand.” Warmth filled me. I climbed in bed, tucked myself under the covers, and laid down, ready for sleep.
“What did you do to her?” Briella’s voice sounded far away.
“She’s in a trance.” Raysa sounded distant, too. “It’s the only way I could stop her from killing herself. I hope that it resets her mind and body. I feel the last week has pushed her over the edge. This may be the only way to draw her abilities back. You know as well as I do that Caiden’s going to need them.”
“Where is all of her anger coming from?” Briella asked, her voice barely audible.
“Her heart.”
“Caiden certainly can pick them.”
“It’s the turmoil she’s dealing with in regard to him,” Raysa said faintly. “That and she hasn’t realized how much she loves him.”
I turned to my side and snuggled my head into the pillow, too tired to continue listening. I could barely hear them now anyway. I dozed off.
27
Vow Of Keeps
Iwas sleeping. I had to be. How else could I be falling through clouds? Or was I floating in them?
My feet touched something soft.
Grass?
The clouds cleared away, revealing the entrance to a maze. It was twilight, and the sky carried streaks of purple and indigo. I walked under an arch of leaves in the tall hedges and followed the emerald path as it veered left, then right, then around.
