Instead, we found a sanctuary in one another. A temporary place we could reach, together, where our worries and thoughts were wiped clean enough to allow for some rest before darkness returned.
She did not talk about the boy whom Clause killed with hardly a touch or the old man whose life she was forced to take to spare the rest. If ever she wished to, I would listen. I would be whatever she needed, shelter her however she allowed.
Ariana shifted, her brows briefly drawing before relaxing again. I pulled her closer, tightening my hold. Nuzzling her neck, I breathed her in. She had no idea how absolutely intoxicating she was. She twitched, and I nearly hoped that she was waking. It was a selfish hope for Spirit knows she needed rest, but my craving for her was intensifying with every minute that passed.
I drew in another deep breath. Noting the familiar wildflower scent that was her signature, as if fields of them bloomed under her skin, and something else. I stilled, breath caught in my throat. She emitted the scent of something distinct. Mildly sweet, and easily recognizable,fear.
Pulling back, I gently shook her shoulder, scanning her face. “Ariana?”
Despite her neutral expression, she exuded the unmistakable smell that came from her all too rarely. I tightened my gripon her, trying to wake her. “Hey, Ariana. Ariana. Wake up.” There was no response, as if unreachable. “Ariana?”
Something was wrong.
I jumped out of bed, scooping her up with the sheets surrounding her. In a few steps, I opened the door into the hall.
Two Bavadrin guards stationed in the hall stared at me with wide eyes. They glanced at Ariana in my arms. The sight of her shocked them senseless enough that they reached for weapons. “Inch those hands closer to your swords and I will incinerate you,” I warned. Both froze and went a shade paler. “Where is the nearest healer?”
The guard to the left replied, “The closest would be Royden. I can go retrieve him.”
“He isn’t in the building?” Anger tinged my words at the rediculous of not keeping a healer closer to their Leader Superior.
The guard shook his head. “The healers are still working on the troops after the return from the Sidhe.”
“Get the one you speak of, then.” He took off at once, sprinting down the hall, and I turned to the other guard. “You, go get Willis.”
He hesitated. “But-” His gaze fell to Ariana.
“I have her. No one is going to get anywhere near her unless I wish them to. Now go alert her second in command and bring him to my brothers room.”
“Right.” The guard took off.
I prowled down the hall, stopping in front of Iver’s door, and gave it a few good kicks.
He flung the door open, quickly taking inventory of me standing in the hall with Ariana in my arms. The alarm in his eyes faded when he realized it was just us, and he turned to me. “You couldn’t have put on some clothing first?” He stepped aside.
“I will snap your neck, Iver,” I growled, entering his room. “What is wrong with her?” She seemed somehow smaller as I held her, defenseless against whatever had her. Ariana was the cause of my fear, filling me with irritation and anger that I knew not what to do with. A feeling of pure helplessness slithered into my stomach, coiling there. Even though she lay in my arms, she may as well have been worlds away, for I was powerless to help her.
Iver raised a brow. “You expect me to know? She is alive and breathing.” He looked over her. “I guess you cannot wake her?”
“No.”
“Put her on the bed,” Iver moved deeper into the room, and I followed. Gently, I laying her down.
My brother handed me a robe and examined Ariana. He reached for her. His fingertips disappeared beneath the blanket and I could not contain the growl that ripped out of me. A warning for him not to get too close.
“Easy, Erik.” He tugged her arm, moving it out into the open before pressing his fingers to her wrist.
“Her heart is racing.” I snapped. He did not need to touch her to know that.
Gray eyes pinned me. “ClearlyI can hear that. I am trying to gauge the force of her heart, feel the pressure within the veins beneath my fingertips.” He looked back at her with a frown. “She is uncomfortable, whatever this is.” Useless information. Obviously, she was uncomfortable.
“Can you fix it?”
“I am thrilled that you find me so impressive. But I have no idea what this is. It could be conjuring of some kind or a poison.”
“We have eaten and drank all the same things.”
“From the same glasses? using the same utensils and plates?”
