Page 77 of Nightmare's Dance

Nic’s breathing eased further.

“Ember?” he said after a few minutes of silence.

“Yeah?”

“Are you really there?” His voice was thick with exhaustion.

“Yes, Nic. I’m here.”

That seemed to settle him, and his breathing deepened.

I lay there until Ash and Geraint returned with food. Then I sat up to eat, staying in contact with Nic.

“Do you think I should take the essence in my clothing and give it to Nic?”

Geraint tilted his head, considering. “Wait until he wakes up and ask him. It might be good to have a reserve. We have the small amount left in your clothing, and in what I wore. That’s it, as far as I know.”

“Doesn’t seem like much.” I hunched my shoulders and concentrated on the food.

“No.”

Ash leaned against the door, while Geraint sat in his rocking chair.

“So, what’s next?” Ash said.

“I guess we wait for Nic to wake up.” I handed Geraint my dishes and snuggled back against Nic’s side.

“Okay.” Ash ran her hand through her short hair. Her inked arms were on full display in her tank top. “I have court for the next few days. I’ll have to call you and check in.”

“Yeah, that’s fine. Of course you have to work.”

“Do not go anywhere without telling me first.” She pointed her finger sternly at me, then at Geraint.

“We won’t, Ash,” I assured my cousin.

“Okay. Phone is on, unless I’m in court. Call me if anything changes, or text me. I need to get home.”

“Drive careful, Ash.”

She came over to the other side of the bed and gave me a quick hug, punched Geraint on the shoulder, and left.

“I’m torn between seeing if we can get him to eat, and letting him rest,” Geraint said.

“Rest, I think.”

“Okay.” Geraint pulled the blanket at the end of the bed up over both of us. “Just stay there. I’ll keep an eye out for trouble.”

“Thanks.”

“Always, Spark.”

My knight slipped out. I did my best to stay awake in case Nic needed something, but his quiet breathing lulled me to sleep.

“Ember.” Nic’s whisper woke me some time later.

“Nic?”

“We’re not safe.” His voice sounded stronger than it had. “They’ll come for us, here, if they can.”

---