My heart aches at the sight of him.
But I see it now, the truth.
I can’t believe I have fallen for a man like Daegel. I can’t believe I allowed myself to be lulled to love him. I thought when I found him, I found home. Something tickles the back of my mind. A gentle caress.
Princess. His voice is loud and clear in my head.I love you.
It’s the only thing I hear.
I wanted my love to be enough for you, he says.Why can’t it be enough for you?
I want to weep. How have I been so blind? So stupid. He’s been lying and omitting truth since the first day I met him.
Suddenly, Daegel’s hand is on my neck. I look down to find my physical body in this dark place. How’s that…how’s that possible?
I have no clue, but the pressure on my throat as Daegel squeezes it is very muchreal.
Daegel. I choke out the word.
I would have moved mountains for you, he hisses.I would have given you vengeance if only my love would have been enough for you.
I can’t breathe.
My throat aches, and I try to speak, but Daegel squeezes harder. He pushes me down onto my back and I’m falling.
He does too.
I land on my back, with him on top of me. His weight is three times more than mine, than his weight in real life.
I can’t move.
And I can barely get a breath in.
Desperate, I claw at his face. It helps nothing. He’s overpowering me, pushing my legs apart with his and squeezing himself between them.
Oh no, no, no?—
What’s happening? This can’t be real.
“Focus on the burn.” Kazh’s voice echoes somewhere far in the distance.
Why couldn’t you accept it?Daegel’s face is twisted with rage.
“Focus on the burn!”
I gasp, choke.
Finally, I register what Kazh says. Within my mind, I scramble to find that tether to my physical body, that tension and the burn of my muscles.
Daegel’s weight on top of me is overwhelming. The heat from it leaches out and into me.
The hardness between my thighs feels too real.
I don’t know what’s happening.
Please. I choke, working very hard to find that damn tether.
Finally! I find that sense of burning muscles and hold on to it. It becomes stronger with each passing heartbeat, and I follow it.
