A gasp pushed past my lips, but the pain had yet to bring me relief. I kept my wrist above the flame, yet the pain would not release me, keeping me hostage in the evermore torture.
A muffled cry escaped me as my skin caught aflame. The blackened spot moved inch by inch across my arm until it reached my elbow. And yet, it brought no relief.
Terror clawed at my spine as I moved my hand away from the ever–judging flame.
Nausea crept in at the burning smell of my flesh.
My hands trembled when I felt the hardened skin. My skin wailed from the touch.
Dear Gods!
Dear Gods, and the Moon!
Oh, Moon!
I forced my lungs to expand—they refused.
“Dear Moon.” I choked.
My knees weakened as I dropped onto the floor, my eyes never leaving the assault. My vision darkened as I felt my consciousness slip away from my strong grasp.
“Forgive me,” I whispered when the dark, cold wave dragged me under.
Chapter 15. Revelations.
My eyes flew open as a dull knock on the door vibrated through the walls of the cabin.
“Cordelia, are you all right?” Francis’ voice hummed through the locked door. “The sun is about to set, we must go.”
“I need a moment,” my voice rasped; the echo rang in my ears.
My back screamed out in pain at my weak attempt to gather myself from the wooden floor I must have fallen asleep on. I swallowed the growing pain as the back of my eyes burned.
“I will prepare our horses,” Francis said. “Come outside when you are ready.”
The floors creaked—the sound echoed through my head, accompanied by a terrible ache—when I managed to adjust myself into a seated position. My body caught aflame in an instant.
Chills went through my bones as the pain persisted. Every breath left me trembling. My left arm screamed out in agony as I wiped the cold sweat off my forehead with the end of my cloak.
“Oh no.” I stared at my blackened skin that started to turn a shade of blue. “Oh no, no, no.”
The injured skin felt rough to the touch, the discoloration moved in every direction, reminding me of the shape of lightning.
“Fuck,” I breathed as a new wave of nausea threatened to break through.
