The sky darkened gradually, dark purple clouds knitting together overhead, mirroring the storm of emotions she was releasing. Her control of my dreamscape bloomed, wild and unfiltered. Thunder rumbled in sync with her sobs, a low, mournful sound that broke my heart.
“I’m here,” I whispered, letting her know she wasn’t alone.
It felt like that was all I could do right now.
Rain fell, and cool droplets splashed onto my skin. It started softly, like a gentle patter in sync with the release of her tears. Then it grew heavier, and the sky cried with her.
Icy rain soaked through our clothes, but neither of us moved. Water matted her hair against my shoulder, mingling with her tears, blurring the line between my dreamscape and her soul.
She clung to me, fists curled tightly in my shirt, as if holding on would anchor her against the storm inside and out.
I tightened my embrace, grounding her, letting the rain wash over us.
“Let it out,” I murmured, my voice barely audible over the pounding rain. “Every bit of it. I’m here. I won’t let go.”
Lightning split the sky, casting fleeting light over us, and in that brief glow, I saw her face—raw, vulnerable, but freer than before. The rain kept falling, steady and brutal, washing away the weight she had carried for far too long.
All those assassination attempts on her—on all of us—did damage. But she would persevere. We all would.
After what felt like hours, Pandora pulled back, tilting her face to the sky, laughing quietly through her tears. “I love the rain.”
My heart warmed at the feeling she sent down the bond—a feeling of healing.
“I know.” I reached out and brushed wet strands from her face.
Her smile faded slightly as she lowered her gaze, studying the dark spiral of Dex's mate mark etched into her palm. “Shadow magic scares me. I can't control it. Even though I know the shadow magic belongs to Dex...I have a hard time with the fact that shadow magic is writhing inside of me. I can feel it, Reed.”
I frowned, stepping closer, closing the space between us. “Can I help you with that fear? I know it’s more Skel’s specialty, but I can help you face it.Safely, but only if you want me to.”
"Hunter has said a few things about exposure therapy," she murmured, nodding. "Let's try it. I trust you."
I brushed my magic along our bond, checking for any hesitation she could’ve been feeling, but all I found was raw determination.
With a flicker of dream magic, the meadow shifted. Shadows bled along the ground, twisting into grotesque forms—dripping hands reaching, clawing, toward her.
They remained frozen,unable to touch her.I’d never let them touch her.
Pandora stiffened, instinctively stepping back into my chest. “Reed…”
“The shadow magic you fear is just that—a nightmare. Penny Bones is dead. Her shadows aredead. They can't hurt you unless you let them. But you, dream girl, you can control them. Watch.”
I laced my fingers with hers from behind, guiding her trembling hand forward. We weaved our hands through the shadows. They recoiled at our touch, unraveling into harmless smoke.
Her breath hitched, but she didn't pull away. Slowly, she moved her hand on her own, dissolving the creeping tendrils until nothing remained.
When she turned and looked up at me, her eyes were wet but steady. "Thank you."
I leaned in and kissed her deeply before resting my forehead against hers. "I’ll help you through this. No matter what."
A deafening bang tore through the dreamscape.
It shattered.
We jolted awake, sitting up in bed simultaneously.
Pandora tossed her hand up, and her shadow tendril lashed out instinctively, slamming Dex and Skel, who had been standing at the edge of the bed, to the floor with two thuds.
“What the—?” Skel groaned, clutching his side.
