Page 75 of The Fallen and the Kiss of Dusk (Crowns of Nyaxia #4)

ASAR

S ometime in the night, Luce had crawled into the bed. Mische sprawled out, limbs askew, face smooshed to the pillow. Luce had tucked herself beside her. I sat at the edge of the bed and stared out into the night—the blackened sky, the withered gardens, and the rolling silver dunes.

My left eye burned. The scars on my cheek throbbed. I had a pounding headache. I stared down at my hands clasped in my lap. My Heir Marks were more inflamed, and if I stared at them long enough, I was certain they were moving slightly, as if breathing.

I couldn’t remember the last time I’d slept. A pitcher of blood sat on the bedside table, half full. Mische did not need it, and every so often, I would dump a little out in the basin so that she didn’t realize that I didn’t, either.

The seconds ticked by, and I sensed a shadow grow closer.

{It is foolish to fear it,} the mask said. {You will be claiming your kingdom.}

{After two thousand years, you will have the vengeance you deserve,} the eye agreed.

I closed my eyes, pushing back against the voices. I had spent my entire life training my mind against intrusions. But none of those strategies worked now, and the constant failure was growing exhausting.

That’s enough, I told myself.

{No,} the eye said. {It is not.}

I turned my gaze to Mische. Her body mimicked breath, but the misty smoke still peeled from her skin. I could see death closing its hands around her.

Maybe the eye was right. Maybe none of it was enough. This one night. This one moment. This one fraction of a life I’ve had with her.

I no longer craved blood. But I was still desperately hungry.

{Worry not,} the eye murmured in comfort. {Such is merely the dream of a mortal heart. Soon, you will have another.}

“That’s enough,” I hissed again, this time aloud.

Mische’s lashes fluttered open with a start. I stroked her bare back.

“Sorry,” I murmured.

But her face softened when she saw me, a smile blooming over her lips.

“I’m not,” she said.

I pressed a kiss to her fingertips. And just as I was about to follow it with one to her lips, a knock rang out at the door.

When we opened it, Oraya stood there.

“Vale has arrived,” she said. “It’s time.”