It’s not to arouse, though it does. But it’s a comfort, leaving me feeling like he’s stroked the stress out of my skin. When he’s finished, he tucks me into bed and repeats the process with a startled Jarek.
With Jarek warm beside me and staring intently at Cadel as he bathes himself, I start to nod off, falling into the deep dark where I dream of people screaming as evil drags them away.
And then the dream changes, and I’m staring at a locked door. There’s a snick, and when I creep forward and turn the knob, the door to my cell in the citadel opens. I peer out and look into a pair of familiar dark grey eyes.
I wake up panting and covered in sweat with just one question repeating through my mind.
Did Walker get me out of the citadel?
Chapter 53
Cadel's Song
I wake up in Jarek’s arms with Mordecai and Cadel behind me. For a moment, I think I’m back in Foreen, and I shift into fight-or-flight mode, reading to bounce up and defend my lovers.
But laughter trickles through the tent. Soft, youthful laughter.
I sit up, wiggling free, needing to see this sound. I pull on the new clothes that have been left for me. The clothes are looser, more lightweight, the shirt is white, and the pants are a charcoal that is really pretty. I pull on my boots, scrape my hair into a ponytail, and clip it before slipping out.
The light is brighter than I’ve seen for a while, and there are no buildings in sight. It’s just cliff walls, trees, green everywhere. The tents seem like they fit here, and the people move about confidently.
I hear the sound again and follow it, winding through the tents, until I come to a space behind all the tents where some of the children are running.
I watch them chasing, touching, running away. Giggles and laughter. Sounds I have not heard for years.
“Hey, do you want to help us?”
The omega smiles at me. She’s got long brown hair and kind eyes. I sit beside her.
“What are we weaving?” I ask without taking my eyes off the children.
“Traps for the fish.”
I nod and set to work.
“There are children here?” I ask cautiously.
“Yes, a number of them. Some have families, but a lot don’t. Orphans and casualties of the war.”
She’s talking to me, but I’m not paying attention. There are two children, a boy and a younger girl, both with hair that is the palest blond. They both have these blue eyes that I recognise.
My heart pounds, and my hands shake.
“Who are they?” I ask and point to the children.
“Those two? Siblings, they belong to an omega named Marian. They were found outside of Beta City.”
I nod my head and stand up. My head swivels, keeping the running children in sight, watching those joyful faces. I want to find this Marian and ask her where they came from. Did she see my mother? Did someone else escape? I offer a murmured excuse, hand back the weaving, and back away to where I can watch in the shadows.
“Who are they?” Jarek murmurs, his fingers sliding into mine.
“My cousins. I think my mum got my cousins out. I think. Oh, I can’t believe it.” I shake my head, rolling my shoulders to release the tension. “Maybe the Beta’s Fang lied. He didn’t kill my baby cousin. She’s got Rae’s eyes. She’s got our family's hair colour. Maybe I’m being hopeful, but in my heart, I know it’s them.”
I turn and hug him.
“They’re alive!” I whisper and laugh in relief.
“Shall we go say hello?” Jarek teases.
