Page 102 of Wicked Magik

I pinched the bride of my nose. “How long has she been—”

A shrill scream came from upstairs. Oryx’s ears lifted in panic and he was out the door before I could follow.

I rushed after Oryx, my heart pounding with fear and dread. As we reached the top of the stairs, the sound of Vesper's screams grew louder and more piercing. Oryx burst into his den,with me right on his heels, to find Vesper thrashing in the midst of a nightmare-induced terror. Her eyes were squeezed shut, tears streaming down her face, while her hands clawed at the bedding as if trying to escape.

If I had my heart, it would have been in my throat.

Without a moment's hesitation, Oryx was by her side, gently but firmly restraining her flailing movements and cradling her to his chest.

I hovered uncertainly in the doorway, feeling utterly helpless as I watched the scene unfold before me. Vesper's cries tore at something deep within me.

I had an instinct to protect and soothe her pain.

Oryx whispered soothing words to her, his voice calming. Slowly, Vesper's movements stilled, her sobs quieting to soft hiccups as she began to wake from the grip of her dream.

Her arms and nails were covered in blood where she had scratched herself. My body felt frozen as I watched Oryx begin licking the blood from her wounds. Her eyes fluttered open, wide with confusion and lingering fear.

"Vesper, it's okay. You're safe," Oryx murmured, his hand gently brushed away the tears on her cheeks. "You were having a nightmare."

What in the Under Shadows have I done?

I stepped further into the room, my heart aching at the sight of Vesper's distress. Oryx's presence seemed to bring her some comfort, but I couldn't shake the guilt that gnawed at me. I had caused her this torment, with my reckless actions and thoughtless decisions.

No wonder she loathed me.

As Vesper's breathing began to steady, she blinked up at Oryx with a mixture of confusion. Her gaze flickered towards me, and I could see the wariness in her eyes, the remnants of fear still lingering within them.

I couldn't blame her for distrusting me, I’d been nothing but cruel to her.

Oryx helped Vesper sit up, his touch gentle and reassuring. The room felt suffocating, filled with the weight of unspoken words between us.

I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat refusing to dissipate. Vesper's eyes flickered to me once more, and I saw a myriad of emotions swirling within them—fear, anger, and a flicker of something else that I couldn't quite place.

"I... I'm sorry," I managed to choke out, the words heavy. "I didn't mean for this to happen. I never wanted to hurt you."

Vesper's gaze bore into mine, searching for something in the depths of my eyes. I felt exposed under her scrutiny, as if she could see through the layers of my facade to the raw vulnerability beneath.

“Does she always hurt herself, after every nightmare?”I asked Oryx within his mind.

“Every time,” he replied out loud for all of us to hear as he licked again at her wound.

My stomach churned.

“I never meant to hurt you, not really, I would never hurt an innocent p-person.” I said as I backed away.

Vesper’s eyebrows rose.

“I never wanted to hurt anyone that didn’t deserve it. I just wanted to protect…” My voice cracked and I turned away.

I sprinted out the door as I ran through the halls of my home, my steps echoing in the empty corridors. Guilt twisted like a knife in my chest, a painful reminder of the harm I had caused.

Vesper's screams still rang in my ears, haunting me.

I couldn't shake the image of her tear-streaked face, the fear in her eyes as she struggled against invisible demons in her nightmares. It was a stark contrast to the strong and defiantVesper I had come to know, a reminder of the vulnerability that lurked beneath her fierce exterior.

As I reached the courtyard, I slowed my pace, my chest heaving. The cool air of the night brushed against my skin, offering a welcome respite from the suffocating atmosphere inside.

I found myself drawn to the edge of the courtyard, where a solitary bench stood overlooking the sprawling gardens. I sank down onto the bench, my head in my hands.