Page 90 of Tides of Shadows

I stood there, understanding little of her cryptic words. Her counsel seemed vastly overpriced. As I turned to leave, I saw the black gem that dropped to the ground. I used all my might and shattered it with my heel into countless shards.

“Just so you are not tempted,” I said, and stepped into the street.

That night, I fell asleep early, exhausted from unleashing my power. I barely closed my eyes before I knew it was that place again. A nightmare. These dreams were different from ordinary ones—too real, too dense, heavy like the air before a storm.

This time, I was in my own room. Everything looked familiar, but something was wrong. Darkness crept in from every side, like a shadow spreading across the walls. I lay on the bed in a light, black dress. I couldn’t move. My arms and legs were wrapped in strands of shadow, hard as iron, cold as stone.

From the dark stepped a figure I knew. A tall man with hair like midnight and eyes like two black stones.

“My dear Nerissa,” he said, his voice soft and tuneful, but laced with ill will. “It has been some time. I am glad you remember me.”

I tried to speak, but no sound came. My breath ran quick, my heart hammered. I shut my eyes to wrench myself awake, yet the black vase rose before me again. Onyx, smooth and filled with something that pulsed like living liquid.

“See?” the man continued, circling the bed. “The more often you use your power, the more tempting you become, the easier it is for me to reach you. We must hasten our meetings. Enough of this cat and mouse game. It’s time for the palace to realize it’s losing control.”

Each word echoed in my skull. The dark thickened. The shadows slid along the walls like living things.

“But for this to come to pass,” he said, “it would be better if you remained here with me. And I would be happy to keep your company.”

He sat beside me. Cold bled from him, and the air of the chamber quivered. He stared into me with those black pupils. Slowly he stroked my arm. I shut my eyes and reached for water, but I saw only the black bowl.

“I’d rather have you for real, with me,” he murmured. “But I have to settle for what we have here.”

He leaned nearer, the shadow pressing upon me. I wished to cry out, yet there was no air in my lungs. Tears slid down my cheeks while I fought my own body. My eyes darted in panic.

“Hush now, Nerissa. No one will hear you here. We are alone.” He drew his face close to mine, near enough to steal a kiss.

He laid his hand upon my knee and began to slide it higher. I tensed my entire body, trying everything to wake up. His fingers touched my core, and I wept within me. The tears started breaking free.

“Don’t fear. I will be gentle. At first.” He drew back his hand and placed his fingers to his lips. “It’s just my imagination anyway.”

Then, somewhere far away, I heard a voice. As if it were coming from behind an invisible wall, screaming my name. “Nerissa. Wake up, please! Nerissa, it’s me! Come back to me.”

His face contorted with irritation.

“What is this...” he growled. “Even in my own head, a person can’t have a shred of privacy. Does Rava ever do what I ask for?”

I felt the bonds loosen, I felt the darkness fade as the dream began to crack

“No...” he hissed, trying to stop it.

I gathered all my strength and the power I had left. I took a deep breath and screamed with all my might. The scream erupted from me like a wave, powerful and pure. The room trembled, the walls rippling like water, a shadow tore itself from me and shattered into pieces.

The man was thrown against the wall, his silhouette disappeared in smoke and shadow.

When I opened my eyes, I was back in my chamber. I was still screaming, my whole body trembling, the air around me shimmering with power. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Aidenar standing in the corner of the room, his hands pressed to his ears, battling the force that drove him back. My cry had shattered the mirror and the bottles upon the shelf, shards of glass scattering across the floor like a rain of stars.

When I finally realized I was no longer trapped in that nightmare—that this was truly my room—the sound died in my throat. I fell back onto the bed, gasping for breath.

Aidenar came to me at once. His figure trembled in the silver glow of the moon pouring through the window. Candles burned in the outer room. The shadows of servants flickered in the corridor, frightened and unsure.

“Nerissa… it’s me. You are safe now,” he said softly, though tension threaded his voice.

“What is happening?” I managed to whisper, still dazed.

“It was a nightmare.” He sat upon the edge of the bed, leaning closer. “Who was there? What did you see?”

I could not answer. I could not even form the words. Tears slid down my cheeks on their own. I stared at him, uncertain if he was truly here or merely another dream.