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She closed her eyes and used her physical exhaustion to quiet her troubled mind. The wakeup buzzer would sound early and their mentor didn’t consider sleepless nights an acceptable excuse for poor performance. She was strict and demanding, and her cold, assessing eyes reminded Eden of Mistress Neeva. Ansley had introduced Eden to Provost Nadis, her mentor. She seemed much more personable and patient. But Nadis was the foremost mentor at the Citadel. Her skills were wasted on latent conduits. Maybe Eden could be reassigned once her abilities were unleashed.
Neloff’s handsome features appeared in the back of Eden’s mind, eclipsing her thoughts and distractions. She surrendered to the floaty sensation that always accompanied the start of her dreams/visions. She was frustrated with Neloff, wasn’t sure she wanted to prolong this thing indefinitely. She didn’t want to be angry with him, but she was. If he’d meant what he said that last day, he would have returned to court her by now. At the very least he would have found a way to send her a message. If he didn’t trust the leaders of the Citadel, he could have used Tandor. Tandor knew she was interested in Neloff. She’d gotten concerned about him a few weeks after she arrived and asked Tandor if he knew what was going on. Tandor just shrugged and said Neloff was chasing a bounty but hadn’t shared the details. Tandor assured her that nothing was wrong because he would have sensed it if his brother was in danger.
Her heart ached and her mind buzzed. Why would Neloff lead her on like this? They were already having sex when he formed the mind link and claimed she was his mate. Why take her virginity and then break her heart? Was he really that cruel?
Her heart, even battered and bruised as it was, insisted that he wasn’t.
Then why was he ignoring her? Why hadn’t he returned?
Tandor had assured her that nothing was wrong, but what if Neloff wouldn’t—or couldn’t—ask for help? What if asking for help endangered those that he cared about? Or what if he were so near death that he didn’t have the strength? The longer she came up with possible scenarios, the darker each situation became.
She lay on her back and lightly ran her hands over her body. Her nipples gathered beneath her top and her core began to ache. She focused on his image, the red-streaked hair and shimmering eyes. Like a switch inside her mind, the link activated. She could sense his energy, feel his emotions. Despite all of her uncertainty, this was no ordinary dream.
His lips brushed over hers, the sensation tangible, no longer dream-like. The weight of his body pressed her into the bed, physical but not oppressive. He threaded his fingers through hers and drew her hands above her head. Desire flared within her. She wanted him desperately, but some things were more important than sex.
“I’m so worried about you, Neloff,” she whispered before her senses had time to ignite. “Show me where you are.”
“Here with you, my love.” He kissed her again, deeper this time. “I’ll always be here with you.”
She shoved him back with all her strength and sat up. “This is not a game, Neloff. Show me where you are.”
Red flames leapt into his gaze and his expression hardened. “You do not command me.”
“Sir, I do not want to live without you. Will you please show me where you are?” She infused the request with longing, revealing her fear.
His warm hand pressed against the side of her face and he didn’t speak until she looked at him. “There is nothing you can do. It is better this way.”
“Better that I live without you?” She pushed his hand away. “Better that the only pleasure in my life is dream sharing with you? Something is wrong. I can sense it. You want to be here as badly as I want you here. Why are you staying away?”
“I want nothing more,” he assured her. “You must forget me. Find another mate.”
“No! I don’t want another mate. I want you! Only you.” She felt the link closing and pushed all of her emotions across the connection keeping it active, forcing it to widen.
She heard a sharpcrackand then a horrific scream. Trepidation washed over her, cold and dreadful. She didn’t care. This had gone on long enough. Determination and stubbornness fueled her search. She didn’t know how to manipulate the link, so she simply focused on him.
Gradually, the wall in front of her disintegrated. Neloff stood before her, stripped to the waist. His lean torso was a patchwork of livid bruises and superficial cuts. She could only think of one thing that accounted for these sorts of wounds. Torture. Neloff had been beaten and tortured, was being tortured still. His arms were stretched over his head and bound at the wrists in metal cuffs. His red-streaked hair hung down over his face as he swayed and sagged, clearly struggling just to stay on his feet.
Fighting back a sob, she focused on the scene. It was imperative that she glean as much information as possible. This might be her only opportunity.
“Tell me one secret you’ve revealed to your handlers and the pain will end,” the male behind him said. He was a brutish devil with coarse features and cruel dark eyes. A long, multi-strand whip was clutched in his hand.
“I’m not a spy.” Neloff’s voice was hoarse from screaming, but still recognizable.
Forcing herself to think, to assess, Eden looked around. The room looked like a literal dungeon, gray stone walls with racks of whips and rods, straps and chains. There was no conventional furniture, just restraint and torture devices.
Dragging her gaze away from the dungeon, she looked into her lover’s eyes. “Where the fuck are you? Please,please, tell me now.”
Neloff shook his head, his expression defeated. “You cannot get to me, love. No one can. They will kill anyone who tries. I am so sorry.”
“No,” she wailed. “You cannot give up.”
A sad smile curved his lips as resignation clouded his expression. “Thank you for letting me live out the dream for the past few weeks. It meant more to me than you can possibly know. I will look for you in the next life.”
“Don’t do this,” she pleaded. “I’ll get help! We will find you.”
“No,” he said firmly. “Find a mate who will love you as much as I do. I need to know that you are happy.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead then pinched off the connection.
“Please, don’t go,” she cried then sprang up in bed as her real surroundings came back into focus. Eden tossed back the covers and swung her legs over the side of the bed.
