Page 11 of A Clash of Embers

I awoke with hands on my thigh and a chest pressed into my back. The sun was rising on the horizon, and I knew we needed to get up to get to the boat. I tapped my hand on him, and he responded by gripping my thigh. I let out a little chuckle and spoke as softly as I could. “Leo. We have to get up. We need to make it to the boat.”

I heard him groan, and, honestly, it was such a seductive sound. Then he surprised me by placing his face on the nape of my neck, tickling it slightly with his beard.

“Alright, Clara. Whatever you say.”

Then I was left cold in bed as he got dressed. If I turned around, I would drool over my pillow while staring at him—and he needed privacy, and I needed to calm the fuck down.

“When you’re finished getting dressed, just meet me downstairs.” I heard him say to me, and then the door clicked behind him.

I started to get dressed, and my thoughts wandered back to the dream. I remembered the story of the fallen angel from the book I read while under the Curse. This creature, this being, was unlike anything I had ever seen. I knew that Evander would most likely know who this man was, and I wanted to know that information. But what do I do about a man whom I love who hasn’t contacted me? Is he truly dead or is he something else?

At this point, maybe I’d be okay with not having him in my life as we once were because we weren’t the same people. I just wanted to be sure he was okay. That would give me peace, right?

I got dressed and placed the pajamas back on the bed with a note to Susan with my appreciation. Before I left the room, I tried to communicate with Evander again, justonelast time.

Evander. Please. I need to know you’re okay. I love you. I just want to know that you’re alive.

I stood in the room for a final moment wanting to take in the scenery. I walked towards the dormer to get one last look over the city and bay as the sun started to rise. Golden streaks filled the room, giving it a soft orange glow that reflected off my skin. I closed my eyes briefly, to let the warmth settle into my skin, a fleeting moment of happiness.

I sighed and turned towards the door, when I started to have a cramp. I rolled my neck around to stretch it out, but then I felt it. The scratch, but this one burned. The feeling seared my skin, the muscles, and the nerves in the base of my neck, causing me to scream in pain. The voice that came shortly after is what hurt the absolute most.

I do not love you. Stop trying to find me. Leave me alone.

I gasped, and it almost felt like my soul left my body. He wasalive. Evander was alive.

Then anger rapidly overwhelmed me.

What does he mean to leave him alone? I am his mate. How can he not love me? He can’t just decide he doesn’t want me anymore. That’s not how this works.

I don’t believe you, Evander.

The scratch felt like a stab in the neck this time, and my head snapped back parallel to the ceiling. My eyes filled with darkness, and I heard his voice as if he was in the room with me. It sent energy waves through my body as his deep abrasive voice filled my head.

If you try to find me, I will kill you.

I felt pressure around my neck, like someone was strangling me.

Do not tempt me because I will end your life, Clara.

Then the darkness was gone, and I was left standing by the bathroom in complete shock.

This man, he... wasn’t Evander. He wasn’t the man I was in love with. That man was gone. Whoever he was, I would find him, and no one would stop me, including him.

As we were leaving the inn, I had this strong urge that I was missing something. Or there was something that I was supposed to do. A small part of my brain pinched me, waking me to my surroundings. I stopped at the door frame as Leo continued. He paused when he realized I wasn’t behind him.

“Are you okay? Do you need something?” he asked.

“No, I need a minute. You go on. I’ll be there soon.” I smiled at Leo, and he nodded, turning towards the boat.

I watched Leo walk away when her voice startled me. “I was wondering how long it would take you to chat with me, Clara Artesia,” Susan said from behind her desk.

She knew who I was. This entire time.

I walked towards her and leaned against it. “You’ve known me this entire time.” I laughed. “Why do I feel like I’m missing something? I keep thinking back to what happened before I broke the Curse. The god Theo was specific that I would kill him along with two others. I just don’t understand.”

Her smile widened as the wrinkles gathered around her eyes and cheeks. She was a happy woman in her lifetime. The lines etched into her skin were proof of that. “I think you played right into Theo’s plan. If you are anything like your parents, Clara, I assume Theo would have known you would go through with killing him. Despite hurting the ones, you loved. I also think that it was a way out. A happy diversion for everyone to escape without anyone having to actually die.”

My brows were furrowed as I leaned in to whisper, “But I saw Madok’s lifeless body on the ground. He was dead. I can’t hear Evander anymore, and my marriage marking vanished.”

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