I meet his gaze. “I’m nervous.”
“And I would be lying if I said I wasn’t as well.”
I look into his piercing green eyes. “No matter what you say, I’m worried I can’t do this. If I fail…” I trail off.
“You won’t fail.” Silas’s strong hand clasps around my jaw. “You are tough, yet kind. You care deeply about doing what’s right and creating peace in our lands. Your passion will keep yougoing. We will find a way to separate you from Kalix. And Rohhit from Carobon.”
Rohhit’s name sounds sour on his lips, and I flinch.
“Even his name bothers you?” Silas’s eyes turn to stone.
“Everything about what happened to him bothers me.”
“I see,” he says, and I know it troubles him.
My deep feelings for Rohhit—even though they aren’t romantic—bother him.
Silas nods, returning from his thoughts. “We will save him, but you have to keep going. Keep trying.”
“I will do whatever needs to be done to stop this.”
“I know you will. And to be honest, that terrifies me,” he says, his lips pressing against mine. “But, I’m not going to let you do this alone.” He leans back, lowering his head onto the bed. “You have to let us help you.”
I nod.
“Silas, I still don’t know what connects us, but you make me feel safe, and I hope that never fades.” I rest my head against his chest as he holds me.
“I’m not going to let that fade.”
“You promise?” I ask in a whisper, feeling sleep heavy in my words.
“Promise, my love,” he replies.
His breaths deepen before I can speak again, and I know he’s drifted off to sleep. I study his face for a moment, memorizing his profile—just in case. I move a strand of hair from his peaceful face before rolling over and allowing sleep to grace me just the same.
The rumble of thunder wakes me after what seems like just moments after drifting to sleep. I sneak out of bed and head toward the small cabin window, making sure to be quiet so I can let Silas rest. Sleep has never come easily to me, and even though the nightmares aren’t haunting me, the habit remains like a persistent headache.
Glancing over the waves, I see a wall of darkness. My heart races, and sweat begins to dampen my palms as I remember Silas on the pier defending us against Rohhit—Carobon. The wall builds before my eyes, and lightning crackles through the black clouds. My breath hitches, and I feel like I’m back in Daramveer, so close to death. Another rumble of thunder crashes, rattling the window, as Silas stirs in the bed next to my empty spot. My entire body freezes, and the panic within me starts to bubble.
One.
Two.
Three.
The panic doesn’t subside. I move against the far wall, pressing my back into the wood which scratches my skin, and drop to the floor, covering my ears.
It’s not real. It’s not happening again.
The boat rocks back and forth, and the waves crashing against the wooden boards echo throughout the room, and no matter how hard I try to steady myself, I can’t. The lightning continues to clap outside, casting bright flashes all around like bombs going off.
He’s here.
Carobon has found us.
A scream leaves my mouth as I wrap my arms around myself tighter.
Silas springs from bed, startled awake by my scream. “Hey,” he says soothingly, rushing to my side. “It’s just a storm. Look at me.”
