From Darkness Won - Jill Williamson [148]
Averella dug into her satchel and gave Bran some mentha leaves to chew on. “At least your mind will feel like it is getting something.”
“Thank you, Averella.”
She put her hands down and pushed back against some roots that wound in through the mouth of the cave. Here the ground was covered in dried grass and pine needles. She could smell the faint scent of pine over the rancid smell of Darkness. Darkness had not been here long enough to kill everything. She lay back, but no position was comfortable in plate armor.
She closed her eyes and tried to still her mind, but the clicking in the trees above magnified. She pictured a peaceful place, and into her mind came an image of a narrow castle built into the side of a cliff. It was covered in moss. A waterfall spilled down each side like flowing hair. The water pooled at the bottom of the falls and ran out across the bailey in a river that vanished through an iron grate in the sentry wall. Thick trees edged the far side of the pool and reflected on the water’s surface.
The scene shifted. Averella stood in the water behind a waterfall, shivering. Everything around her was white frothing liquid. Water trickled down her face and arms. She shifted and rubbed the tickle away, but found something firm there. She tried to flick it away, but it clung to her skin. She twisted her body to see it.
A leech.
She shuddered and pried the creature off with her fingernails, but there were more on her now. She was naked and the leeches covered her body like a slimy black gown. She screamed and dug at them.
Strong arms grabbed her. She tried to scream, but a hand clamped over her mouth. She squirmed, wanting nothing more than to get the leeches off her skin. She scratched her captor’s face and squealed.
“Vrella, please!” a soft voice whispered. “You must not make noise!”
She twisted her head and freed her mouth. “The leeches!”
His hand found her mouth again. “You are dreaming. There are no leeches here.”
She stilled, for that was Bran’s voice. She could see nothing, yet knew that he was the one holding her. Her head was cradled in his arm, his free hand cupped over her mouth.
“Just a dream,” he said.
She sucked in long breaths through her nose. Darkness smelled sour.
“Are you with me, Vrella? If I let go, you’ll be silent and not scratch me anymore?”
She nodded, hoping he could discern her answer from the motion of her head.
Bran lifted his hand. “I’m sorry. You were screaming so loud I don’t doubt all Nahar Duchy heard you. And you scratched my face good.”
Vrell? Jax bloodvoiced. Are you well?
A dream, Jax. Forgive me. I did not mean to fall asleep.
Would you like me to relieve you?
No. I’m awake now. “I’m sorry, Master Rennan.” She opened her satchel and felt for her jar of salve. “Let me put something on that scratch.”
“It’s not that bad, I’m sure.”
“Do not argue.” She dipped her fingers into the cold salve and rubbed it on his cheek where she thought she saw discoloration. “I do not like Darkness, Master Rennan. I never have.”
“Nor do I, Vrella.”
Something in that name gave Averella pause. “It’s been a long time since you called me Vrella, has it not?”
“Aye. Much is different now.”
“Can we not go back to how it used to be?”
His chest rose and fell with a deep breath. “I will always care for you. But both our hearts have changed.”
“Completely? Surely not.”
He did not speak for a moment, as if considering it fully. “He loves you. And you him.”
Her chest tightened at the mention of “he.” She pushed herself up and twisted around to face Bran. “That is not what I asked, Bran.”
“Ahh.” There was a laugh to his sigh. “So, you are calling me Bran again, are you?”
“Do you love me?”
The soft glint of his eyes met hers. His breath was shaky. “Aye, Vrella. I do…”
Averella’s heart leapt within her plate armor. She knew it! Merciful heart, there was still hope.
“…but I will not take you from him,” Bran said. “He needs you more than I do.”
“I do not want to talk about Prince Gidon’s needs. What about Gren? Do you love her, as well?”
“I-I