I blink my eyes and see Hazel’s home burning into flames.
Within a split second, her home is gone.
Even though my body and limbs are weak, I hold the papers with all I have.
I blink my eyes and look up. Braxton holds me firmly as he walks away from the scene. His jaw is locked, and he looks at me. He gives me the thing that gives me the most comfort.
A smile with those dimples.
My dimples.
His face changes and as I blink my eyes, lips brush against my burning skin. Soft lips leave a print on my forehead.
I close my eyes and for once in my life I am grateful for the fact that I am bonded to someone—for not being on my own and free. Braxton drags me away from everything as I try to realize what just happened.
Without thinking about the consequences of stealing Hazel her plan to fulfill her dreams, it might have become Hazel’s one chance of making them come true.
Chapter 24
Eliane
Where am I? I open my eyes, trying to make something off the darkness surrounding me. My fingers scan the thing I am lying on. It is soft, so maybe a mattress or a couch. I narrow my eyes as I scan the darkness, trying to find something I recognize. My blanket is white and behind the bed is standing something I would describe as a nurse or healer’s potion. So that is where I must be.
The healer’s room.
Again.
I groan in frustration. I hate myself for being such a burden.
I focus on my emotions and the tingle in my body, trying to make this darkness lighter and to make it myself a bit easier. Only a light tingle spreads in my fingers, as light as a feather, and I am not surprised when only a few light glitters pop out. I focus, closing my eyes again, the tingle increasing, heartbeat raising and then…
Nothing.
Complete silence.
I try to throw the blanket to the side, but my body feels heavy and it takes me a few tries before I can roll up so I can step out of bed. I wobble on my legs, trying to find my way to the wall, searching with my hand for the light button. Something I haven’t done in a long time.
My hands stop at the switch and I press it. The light flies on and something in my mind snaps. Memories of last night crush in like a bomb.
Hazel’s house.
Her parents.
Dead.
The fire.
The trials.
Her plan.
Shit. Where is her plan?
My hands reach for my pockets, but I am only wearing a nightgown. My legs drag me towards the other side of the bed, eyes focused on the door.
My feet bump into something. I look down and my heart thunders in my ears. My mouth goes dry, sweat breaking out.
On the floor, lies nobody other than Braxton. What is he doing here? He hates me, doesn’t he? My feet bumping into him does not seem to have woken him because he murmurs something in his sleep. He is sweating, but no screams leave his throat. Something soft rolls over his lips. Ess—no, Ell. I try to make out the words as I kneel down next to him, studying his face. A soft stubble, his straight nose, his closed eyes and a frown in his forehead, hair sticking to his face. The words click together, and I stumble backwards, falling on my but.
