King of Blades by Ryder Bailey

Author:Ryder Bailey [Bailey, Ryder]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-11-04T04:00:00+00:00

Anil had a feeling that Wildas had said something to Coulta himself, however, if Coulta's doting behavior at the party was anything to go by. Wildas was also especially kind to her, but Coulta stayed closer to her than to Wildas most of the evening. She was happy to be led to his room afterward, too. It was hard to believe that just six months ago she was still utterly uncomfortable sharing a night with him. Now she greatly enjoyed it, even if his magic didn't want to grant itself to her every time.

He was much more restless in his sleep than Wildas or Myri, however. His constant shifting woke her just a short time after she'd fallen asleep.

Hoping to soothe him with her magic, she reached out and gently stroked his clammy cheek until he opened his eyes. He glanced around for a moment, then sat up, breathing so heavily his entire body shook.

Anil sat up beside him and gently took his hand. She willed some calming energy into him and his breathing began to slow.

"Thank you," he murmured.

She kissed his cheek. "What are your nightmares about?"

"Just my time in Arren," he replied vaguely.

She leaned back to give him a sharp look. "I'm not a delicate flower," she declared. "If my pregnancy makes you think I am, don't let it. I want to help you."

He sighed and gripped her hand tightly. "I dream of the innocent people I was forced to kill. I remember each face distinctly and they haunt me. Sometimes I'm drowning in their blood. Sometimes it's you or Myri or Wildas – even Shelton once – who are drowning or being held beyond my reach. No matter how many times I beg them to stop haunting me or I tell them that I'm sorry, they won't stop. Every single night. Usually Wildas will appear in the dream and ease it away. I don't truly know how to explain it, but I believe it has something to do with the soul-link. He doesn't always appear as soon as the dream starts, though. He hadn't quite reached me this time."

Anil eased a bit more soothing magic into him, feeling her heart break for him. "Have you talked to Brother Pelles?"

Coulta nodded. "I have since Wildas suggested it. He can't do much but pray for me and do cleansings that don't help."

"So no one can truly help?"

"I've been told it's a personal haunting. Only an immensely powerful Asir could even hope to help me, and there are none here in Ryal. Possibly not even in Phelin."

Anil wasn't sure what she could say to that. Telling him that someone would help him someday didn't seem very fair and wouldn't help him now. So she just pulled him into her arms. The image of a new embroidery pattern began coming to her, but she pushed it from her mind until morning.

"It's cold," she finally murmured. "Let's get back under the blankets."

He nodded and lay down with her again, wrapping his arms around her.

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