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We all arrange our bedding together, with me in the middle. We divide up the night in shifts, as we always do when we sleep at night, and then I snuggle together with Rayne and Onyx, while Dusk sits near the doorway on first shift.
Dusk gives me a little smile, and I let my eyes close. There’s so much to figure out. The Shadow King’s next move. Whether what the elder said was true or not. And what we will decide to do with that information.
But for now, we sleep.
FOUR
Onyx
Steam rises off the hot spring as I lower myself into the water. It’s been two days since the elder died, and the Shadow King has been silent. My brother has been silent.
It’s always a relief on the nights we’re not overwhelmed by rot monkeys, grave trolls, and our fellow shadow beasts, but it’s also not. Every day they don’t come simply means they’re building up their strength for yet another attack, and I’m not sure how many more attacks we can handle. I want to say as many as it takes, but I’d be lying.
But today, I’ve had enough of plotting and planning. Today, I want to relax. In the daylight, none of our enemies can attack. It’s the only time we know we’re safe from them, and that does bring peace, especially since my body has had a couple of days to rest.
I lay my head back against the earth and let the water wash over my skin, soaking away my aching muscles in the hot water. My mind flashes back to our shadowy world. I’ve missed what it once was before my father stole the Moonstone from the sky. We had hot springs like these, clean water, flowers that glowed at night, and even more trees and bushes that illuminated both the night and the day. It was paradise.
Perfect, except that it didn’t have Ann.
Well, not perfect. I was lonely. My brothers were lonely. And the king was always a poor leader, even if his sons couldn’t see it. But it was better than the dark and dead place that it is now.
Part of me wonders what we’re even trying to save. Earth, yes, but is our world beyond salvation? Without the Moonstone to light it, no plants will grow, and no creatures will live beyond the ones who come from the dead realm. I know our creatures are capable of burrowing and hibernating, but for how long? Even if we could return the light, are all the animals dead? All our plants exterminated?
Our lives in our realm are over, either way. Now we’re fighting to free our shadow beasts and save this world. A world that doesn’t like us. That sees us as savage beasts.
Yet we still fight. Why?
I frown and splash at the water. This is not what I want on my mind. I want to focus on the goodness. On the little sparks of happiness that still exists. On my mate.
And then Ann comes to me. Like my want and need has summoned her. Like I have the power to wish her into being. It doesn’t matter if it’s my hidden talent or her wanting to bathe in the hot spring, she’s here and I smile, watching her strip.
I would enjoy the moment more if not for the sadness haunting her eyes and the frown turning her lips down. She undresses quickly, her mind obviously far from here. I wait until she slips into the water beside me then cock an eyebrow. Some things don’t need words or hand signs. Some things only require a look or a touch, a smile, a moment.
She closes her eyes for a second and I want to see them. The beauty in her face starts with her big blue eyes, and the light in them is so vibrant that I’m addicted to it. Every time she looks at me, she pulls me under. Makes me fall in love with her all over again.
When she looks at me, she sighs and the force of her breath makes a small ripple in the water. Instead of waiting, I slide my arm around her waist and pull her closer. Her slight body is warm and slick and I want to touch her, but for now, I’ll simply hold her.
“We have to find another way to save Phantom.” I smile, but not because of what she’s saying. There’s nothing amusing about that. I smile because she’s saying it so well with her hands.
I nod.
“My magic should be able to help.” And then she shakes her head and her hands move faster. She’s an excited signer. “Or maybe…maybe the elder was wrong and there’s another way we don’t know yet.”
I take her hands in mine to stop the frantic signing, bring them to my mouth for a quick kiss, then hold them for an extra second. She needs a moment to calm before I speak to her because what I have to say isn’t going to calm her or make her feel better. I hate being the one to do it, but there’s no one else but me to say it. Not right now anyway and now is when she needs to hear it most.
Releasing her hands, I sign slowly, “Using Rayne is our best chance at saving Phantom and defeating the king. We can’t do it without him and Rayne is the only one who can take control of their father’s body to remove the shard.” She knows all of this. But hopefully, watching me say it will be enough to calm her, enough to make her see the reality of our situation.
“I know that, okay?” Her anger strikes bigger than her hands can move. She’s not just simmering with it, she’s on a rolling boil. “I just want…”
Her cheeks are rosy with color and her eyes flash with the fire that draws me to her. She’s as beautiful now as ever and I am fascinated with the way her emotions are so clear to read on her face.
“You want to save all of us,” I sign to her.
She calms a little, then signs back, “Yes.”
I nod, completely understanding. In so many ways our Ann isn’t built for war, but then, I don’t think most people are. “If there’s another way, we’ll find it. But until then, we make a plan with this idea.” My hands drop, and I wait.
“Okay,” she finally signs, but her hands aren’t excited, they’re defeated. And so is her beautiful face.
