Page 138 of A Fate in Flames

Two steps.That’s all I managed before my legs buckled.

I pitched forward onto the bed, my knees cracking against the wooden frame as I tangled my fists in the sheets.Twisting them like I could somehow wring the pain from my own chest.

My face hit the pillow, and I pressed deeper, inhaling that familiar scent as I squeezed my eyes shut.Bursts of light flashed behind my lids.

Stupid.Stupid.

If I could tear time apart with my bare hands—rip each moment to shreds until I could reach back and undo it all, I would.My body curled inward like a wounded animal, knees drawing up to my chest as bitter bile clawed up my throat.

The self-loathing hit in waves—for what I had done.For the words I had carved into him.For the fury I knew was consuming him even now.It crawled under my skin like poison.

I’d had no choice.

I had done what needed doing.I had walked away.Wielded my tongue like a weapon, cutting deep enough to ensure he would never reach for me again.

My limbs were as heavy as lead, exhaustion pulling me down into the mattress—sinking deeper and deeper until I was drowning in my own despair.

I let it take me.

I let the darkness pull me under.

Fire consumed everything.I thrashed against invisible bonds, my skin blistered and cracked.My lungs seized as smoke filled them, each breath burning my throat.I mauled at the scorching air, my nails tearing in bloody stripes as the flames climbed higher, devouring me one excruciating inch at a time.

The stench of my own burnt hair clogged my nostrils while sweat flash-boiled on my skin, leaving behind acidic trails of salt.

“Dalkhan, please!”

I stretched my arm toward him, shoulder dislocating with a wet pop.

He stood motionless.Watching.Drinking in my torment.

The muscles in my arm tore, tendons standing out like ropes.His face remained etched in cold fury, memorising every twitch of pain that crossed my features.

No.

“Dalkhan!”The scream erupted from me as the heat pressed against my face like a physical hand, choking me.Squeezing tears from my eyes that hissed into steam before they could fall.

I jumped upright—air rushing back into my starved lungs.I clutched my neck, my rapid pulse hammering beneath my fingertips.

The door slammed open with such force it bounced against the wall.

Tavrik bolted in, eyes wild as they swept over every shadow, every corner.Hunting for threats that existed only in my mind.When his gaze finally landed on me, relief flashed across his features before worry took its place.

“Are you okay?”He crossed the room in three long strides, his hands immediately roaming over my arms and shoulders.

Theo crowded in behind him.“Is she okay?”

Tavrik snapped back toward him, his jaw tight.“She seems fine, but—”

I shoved the damp tangle of hair from my face.“I’m right here, you know.”My voice was raw, as if I’d truly been screaming for hours.

I swung my legs over the edge of the bed.My bare feet against the cold floor sent a shock through my system.

“It was a bad dream.”

Theo stepped closer, his shadow falling across me.“El…” he hesitated, exchanging a look with Tavrik.“Your scream shook the walls.”

They both stared at me like I’d summoned something from the abyss.