Page 80 of Between Earth and Eternity
He doesn’t yell, and he doesn’t need to. There is enough authority and rage in that voice that volume isn’t necessary. His hands grip Slade’s hair tightly, his ringed fingers peeking through the strands of reddish brown.
“Do I need to break another bone, brother? Open it.”
Slade moves only as much as Vallen allows to release the door. It hisses as it slides open, and I quickly step to the side just as Vallen shoves Slade in, followed by a loud whimper as he landsat my feet, face down. Vallen grabs my hand, pulling me out of the chamber.
Everyone moves like a parting sea as we pass them in a blur. I catch a glimpse of Bex standing near Ori, a protective hand on her shoulder. But now, all I see is Vallen, his hand wrapped around mine, knuckles turning white with how hard he holds on, like if he lets go, I will float away into the cosmos.
“Skyler?”
I hear my name, but I can’t focus, my feet walking on their own.
“Sky?” His voice is clear now.
I look up into his face, realizing that we’re standing still.
I try to say something, but my mouth isn’t moving.
“You’re in shock,” he says slowly. I stare down at our hands still tangled together. I blink a few times, and my vision blurs before my knees give out, but he catches me. We sink to the floor. I allow myself to find shelter there in his arms, melting into his chest.
“Deep breaths, honey.” His voice is a promise of safety. We sit there for several minutes as I match the rhythm of his breathing, his chest rising and falling. When my heartbeat finally begins to slow, his lips graze my hair. “Can I take you somewhere? Somewhere quiet?” His voice is innocent, kind.
I nod fervently.
“Do you think you can stand?”
I nod again.
“It may take longer for your body to come out of shock than you think. Take it slow.”
He pulls me gently to my feet, his hand lingering on my waist for a couple of extra seconds to make sure I’m steady, but when my eyelids flutter, my vision going hazy, he doesn't hesitate. He lifts me into his arms in a quick, smooth motion.
I let my head rest against his shoulder, feeling a bit defeated. I probably could have walked on my own if I took a few more minutes to gather my wits, but now that I’m in his arms, I’m glad I gave up. It feels good. I wish it didn’t feel this good.
If we pass people along the way, I don’t notice. Maybe he’s taking me down the crew passages. I don’t sense much of anything besides him. The way his expensive cologne seems to soothe me. The way his hands feel on my back and legs, cradling me like I’m precious to him.
Eventually, he turns down a long hallway with a large set of doors at the end, much like his office where we first met, but it’s not his office he brings me to. It’s the dark scent that I am becoming too familiar with that hits me first as the doors slide open.
My heartbeat speeds up again, but not in fear this time. This is Vallen’s suite.
The suite is a mix of dark wood and gold decor. The foyer alone is almost as big as Ori’s and my suite.
He carries me into a large room. The entire side of the wall is completely made of glass, the whole galaxy on display before us. He sets me gently on a large sectional couch, and a few seconds pass before he kneels in front of me, handing me a glass of water. I didn’t even notice him grab it or where he got it from. I must still be more out of it than I realize. Maybe this isn’t real and I’m actually dead. But, no, the man in front of me is most certainly real. I’m alive because of him.
“Better?” he asks.
I nod gratefully, then take large gulps.
He doesn’t say anything, watching me in a stoic manner, like he needs to make sure I’m feeling better. And then, it’s most peculiar, but he smiles. A small, curious type of smile, like he just had a warm thought. I can only blink back at him, watching those hazel eyes study me.
“You really are the last person on Earth who wanted to win the Lottery, aren’t you?” His smile fades, eyes turning . . . sorrowful? I can’t tell.
My words are caught in my throat, even though I have a thousand different things I want to tell him right now. Starting with the fact that I regret saying I hated him the last time I saw him. I want to tell him I’m sorry, but he beats me to it.
“I’m sorry. I have to go.” He stands abruptly. “I need to finish taking care of my brother. You’re welcome to stay here if you’d like.” His voice is smooth and rich like honey, and his eyes seem hopeful that I will take him up on his offer.
“Okay. I will.” I mean it wholeheartedly, and I think how odd it is how wonderful that feels. “Ori?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Bex will make sure she’s okay. She knows you’re safe.”
