Page 44 of Elysian

I whimpered. My eyes stung, and the searing pinch spread deep under my skin. I screamed, curling with sobs ripping from my mouth, and still he held me.

“Yes, Your Highness!” Hester shouted.

His chest vibrated from the force, but his voice sounded far off, as if he was muffled by a wall between us. His arms flexed around me.

‘I have you.’ He continued to rub my side with smooth, gliding touches. Eventually, even the chill of his body felt good. It was odd. I knew he was cold, but the sensation settled the iciness in my chest until it was . . . right?

Another bone-deep attack seized my frame. Cassiel had yet to release me since they shoved me in here.

The temperature seemed to continue to drop. I wasn’t sure how, but the chamber had become insufferably cold. I shook so hard my teeth clicked together. My bones, something that should be unmoving, seemed to pulse.

I was going to combust.

A scream ripped from between my lips. So sharp it hurt my ears. I shoved and writhed on Cassiel’s lap.

“Amara,” he growled. I could hear him, but he sounded much too far away.

I swatted at his touch. “Let me go.” The words came out slurred and jumbled.

“Saints, if you do not wake,” he hissed.

Why is he so angry?

I mumbled something, but I did not know what came out. Swatting at him resulted in him capturing my hand again.

“. . . son?” That voice.

I wheezed out a breath, grasping to find my footing.

“Release her or she will take you into death with her,” Drusilla begged.

“I will go happily.”

“How you disappoint me.” Drusilla’s frustration mingled with anger. I had no doubt she truly cared for her son in her twisted way.

“Please, Tasalia,” Cassiel said, voice even. She jolted, a crack in her softened features. Her true name.

Silence other than my ragged breathing. I want nothing from her. I tried to push the words free but was unsuccessful.

Another wave of snaps caused my limbs to stiffen. A scream built in my throat. Sweat drenched every inch of my body, and insects seemed to be crawling over my flesh. I whimpered.

‘Shh, mortal. You will be well.’

In my head, his voice sounded so soft, determined, tender, angry. It rounded through various tones, yet it tethered me. As much as I craved giving into the pain, and letting it take me away, he did not let it happen.

He would not let me go.

“My ability will not work on an Awakening, but I will see what I can bring you,” Drusilla finally said.

The sound of clinking metal rubbing against cement became louder. I did not have the strength to lift my head. Another round of agony wracked my insides, bringing with it a beat of clarity. I was still lying on Cassiel’s lap.

“Al had a potion to render her unconscious.”

Hester?

A soft touch on my chin came, then a cold lip of a glass touched my mouth. I turned my head away. He reached out, captured my face, and pried open my mouth by pressing against the side of my cheek. I gasped and liquid sloshed.

“Drink it,” he ordered.