Page 33 of Healing Elixirs & Wicked Crows

With one final thrust, he groaned, spilling himself inside me as he kissed me with tender sweetness.

Afterward, he held me close, and I listened to the steady beat of his heart as it returned to normal.The luminescent flowers dimmed to a soft glow, like stars in twilight.

"I wish this were real," I whispered against his skin, knowing this was a dream.That I would wake up hot and wanton, with Elias sound asleep just a few feet away.

"It is real.This is the most real thing I've ever felt," he murmured against my hair, kissing me.He repeated the words again, like a mantra.As if, even in my dreams, I was still clinging to hope.

"Promise me we'll find a way to make this real—outside of dreams," I said to him, knowing I could only say these things here, where it was safe.Where it wouldn’t matter once I woke.Just a nice dream.

He was quiet for so long, I thought he wouldn't answer.

"I promise I'll do everything in my power to give you the happiness you deserve."

It wasn't quite the promise I’d asked for, but before I could question it, the dream turned fuzzy, as if the waking world was pulling me back.

As I drifted toward consciousness, I felt something I’d never experienced before: a warmth that seemed to connect us, thread-thin but growing stronger.In my dreams, I felt his presence like a second heartbeat—steady, reassuring.

Whatever this was between us, it was deeper than desire.Stronger than attraction.

It felt like destiny.

Morning came too soon.

Deeper and Deeper

ROSEMARY

Ijolted awake, gasping, my heart racing and skin slick with sweat.The dream's remnants clung to my mind like cobwebs, fragments of Elias and me, connected by more than just this quest.Morning's soft light streamed through the waterfall as I groaned, sitting up with aching muscles.

Elias's bedroll lay empty beside me, looking as though it hadn't been slept in.He'd never woken me for my watch.

"Good morning," he said softly, not turning from where he knelt by a small fire.

I sat up slowly, acutely aware of how the dream had changed something within me."How long have you been awake?"

"A while."He finally looked at me, and I saw my own uncertainty reflected in his eyes."I've been thinking about yesterday.Everything that happened."

I held his gaze for a moment, the vividness of last night's dream flooding back, and I felt the heat rise to my cheeks, surely turning them the color of ripe cherries."Did I?Did we..."I stumbled over my words, my voice barely a whisper.

"You talk in your sleep."He chuckled, a teasing glint in his eyes."Did you dream about me?"

A wave of mortification washed over me as I realized he knew exactly what had filled my subconscious hours.I narrowed my eyes at him, trying to muster some semblance of defiance."I did not dream about you, only that I was stabbing you."

"Sure, that's why you moaned my name," he said, leaning closer.His smirk was infuriatingly sexy, and his words were like a melody that lingered in the air."Oh, princess, I love the sound of my name as a moan on those beautiful lips."But then, like a storm cloud passing over the sun, his features turned serious, and the playful mood vanished, replaced by something darker.

The shift felt like a splash of cold water on our heated exchange."Elias," I said softly, sensing the weight of his thoughts."What's really bothering you?"

"I need to check something," he said, standing abruptly."Stay here for a moment."

I stepped out of the cave, navigating the narrow ledge to a nearby waterfall.The forest beyond was bathed in soft golden light, but there was no sign of Elias.

"Elias?"I called out, my voice echoing through the tranquil woods.

A twig snapped behind me, and I whirled, hand reaching for my dagger.Shock replaced fear as I came face to face with Elias.He stood at the edge of the trees, his pewter gaze fixed on the river behind me, a grim expression etched onto his handsome face.

"Where did you go just now?What’s going on?"Relief and irritation warred within me."And why didn’t you wake me for second watch?"

"I didn’t wake you because I couldn't sleep, so I went to scout ahead."His voice carried a weight I hadn't heard before, rougher somehow."I guess I lost track of time."He cast a look over his shoulder, to where he’d come from before turning those stormy gray eyes to me again.“I told you to wait inside.I thought I heard something.I couldn’t find the source of the noise, but…”