Page 74 of Blackheart

Avan nodded. “Oh yes, we’ve found all but one. I’m sure the straggler will turn up in no time.”

Footsteps ran towards the doors, and they swung open. A wild man with frizzy brown hair entered the room, honing in on Xavian.

“Inkweed lover!” the man shouted.

Xavian pulled his arm back in a precise beat, propelling a dagger across the room. It sank directly into the intruder's heart.

“Ah, you found him,” Avan said, impressed.

The older man at the table sighed, rubbing a long finger over his deeply wrinkled forehead.

Xavian glanced to his left. “Draven, what updates do you have today?”

“I have gathered a list of possible brides, my lord.” Draven’s bitter voice was the quietest among them, nearly a hiss.

“My daughter is a perfectly acceptable choice, and she already resides on these lands,” the older one began again.

He irritated me, or maybe it was Xavian he was irritating. I couldn’t tell the difference anymore.

“She’s barren,” Xavian said, drumming his fingers on the table.

“How could we possibly know such a thing?” the older man argued, cheeks red.

“I would never buy a sword without testing it first. Next.”

When the older man went to speak again, Xavian raised his hand in warning.

Suddenly, my head hurt, my mind became watery and my eyes closed before I shifted back into my own body.

Still, I could not move. I was in the woods, but time had gone backward.

“You need to run,” Riven ordered.

The golden arrow was in the tree above us again.

“To where? I’ll get lost on my own,” I said, just as I had before.

I knew what happened next. The arrow was coming, but I couldn’t change anything.

All of it, I was forced to live through again. Riven pulling the arrow out, running through the forest with a blood trail, cradling my broken arm, and then?—

Xavian’s body drew in a breath, eyes shooting open, and we were at the table again.

“Are you okay?” Avan asked, leaning in.

Xavian stormed out of the room.

Avan and Draven followed behind, close on his heels. “What’s happened now?” Draven asked.

“A broken arm, and another damned arrow,” Xavian thundered.

Avan caught up on the right, scratching at his lightly freckled face. “Vomit this time too…or?”

Xavian ignored him, pushing through doors leading into a well-lit room with white glowing lights, tables, and a sick cot. Two healers worked inside. Their eyes brightened to see Xavian.

“I need a healer,” Xavian ordered. “Maybe both of you.”

I woke to the sound of Riven packing our things. It wasn’t even first light yet, but he was dressed and had laid out dry clothes for me. It was strange to finally have a dream after weeks of not having one. I hoped Riven hadn’t heard me talking in my sleep.