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“I don’t ascribe to outdated rules about who the heir of a house must take as a partner. I want you, Neev Kaesong, and nothing is going to change my mind.”

* * *

Whispers roar in my ears as my consciousness awakens. As always I can’t make sense of what they’re saying. It’s a language I don’t know or maybe even just so many that I can’t make out one word from another. Either way, I don’t want to be here. I want to be with Raiz.

“There you are.”

I open my eyes not to the familiar face of the male I fell asleep next to but to Eryx. He’s bent over me as I lay in the white void of my mind. His forehead wrinkles with concern as he dusts the back of his fingers over the bruises on my face.

“What did they do to you?” Fury overtakes his features.

“Nothing. It wasn’t the people I’m with, it was their enemies.”

His lips flatten into a thin line. “Are you so sure about that? Did they not steal you away from the only home you’ve ever known?”

“How did you know that?” I sit up and scoot away from him. “Did the Order send you?”

“The Order?” A light flashes behind his eyes. “The Omnium Order?”

I don’t answer for fear I’ve already given away too much. “Who are you? Where are you from? And why are you able to enter my mind so easily?”

I’m not answering any more of his questions until he answers mine.

“I’m Eryx, we’ve already had introductions.”

I hold his gaze, set on not speaking until he answers me.

“Where are you right now?” he asks.

I roll my lips inward, pressing them firmly between my teeth.

“All I want to do is help you, Neev.”

“I don’t need help.”

“Your face says otherwise.” He looks down at me, his eyes searing a path along my body. Before I can react, his hand grips my ribs and squeezes, right where the broken bones were. I hiss a breath out through my teeth.

“You want me to believe you’re trying to help me by hurting me?”

“I didn’t hurt you. I’m simply pointing out that at best, someone let you get hurt. At worst, they’re behind your injuries.”

“Get away from me.”I push myself to my feet. “I trust them. Idon’ttrust you.”

For the first time since I started having these episodes, I walk myself out of the empty, white, cavernous space. The peace and warmth of Raiz’s embrace calls me home, like a balm to my soul. I wondered if Eryx would attempt to stop me, but he doesn’t. I just feel the heat of his stare at my back.

* * *

When my eyes open, I feel Raiz’s warmth surrounding me. The distinctive ocean fresh scent he carries with him soothes my anxiety. His solid arms wrapped around my waist ground me.

I roll over and watch him sleep. His lips are slightly parted and his face fully relaxed. He’s so handsome. Sometimes I don’t understand how he’s lived over one hundred rotations and has managed to avoid any meaningful relationships. From everything we’ve spoken about, my relationship with Torre seems to have been deeper than anything he’s ever had.

I catch the time when I glance over his shoulder and decide to slip out of bed first. He rarely sleeps in, or sleeps well, so I want him to have it while he can. Luckily, it’s easy enough to move out from his embrace without waking him.

I enjoyed my time being on Zeahiri and living in his home, but the lack of electricity and other modern amenities was sorely felt. I switch the light and floor heaters of the bathroom on as I ready myself to take a luxuriously long shower.

A moan slips from my lips as the steady spray beats down on my skin, the water hot enough to turn my pale skin pink. Sleeping with Raiz was incredible. The best sexual experience of my life, but I’m feeling the ache he left behind in my core. I think I’ll stay in here as long as possible to let the heat soothe those delicious aches away.

Puffs of steam rise in the air as I wash and condition my hair. I can’t help wondering what they use in their shower and bath products that make both my hair and skin so soft and moisturized. On Oculus Nine I had to have a special filter added to my plumbing to achieve the same thing.