Page 96 of Cursed By the Dawn

“I know,” I whispered back, tears stinging my eyes. “I’m just…”

I cut myself off, digging my fingers into the bedsheets again. I wanted to say a million things.

I’m just scared.

I’m just anxious.

I’m justangry.

But I didn’t have to say any of those things. Because he was already kissing me, letting our lips quietly communicate what our words could not.

“I know,” he murmured into my hair. He kissed my temple, my cheek, my lips. “I know.”

I parted my lips, urging him closer.

“Follow me into the Dream Realm. Just like how we used to,” he urged, kissing me again. His lips were warm and soothing, a steaming bath after being caught in freezing rain. “Let your mind follow my lead. I will do everything in my power to guide us true.”

We curled into each other, chests flush and legs tangled. I slowed my breathing, timing it to match his.

In, out.

In, out.

Our subconscious minds intertwined, eager to seek out their home. Their people. Theirdomain.

In.

Out—

“Esmer,” called a grating voice, snapping my connection and sending me spiraling.

The dream came upon me like a volley of arrows, pinning me beneath a tidal wave of darkness. Pitch-black night pressed into me from all sides, urging a scream from my lungs that I refused to indulge.

Be not afraid.

I stalked forward, shadows clinging to my face and neck as I fought to clear my vision.

“Where are you?” I demanded, barely recognizing the venom in my words.

“I’m here,” the voice answered. It was barely a whisper, a crackle of dry grass upon stone.

I spun around, trying to spot the speaker, but the darkness would not relent. A few steps more and I had summoned my sword, gripping it tightly in my hands. I held it steadily in front of me, prepared to fight whatever it was that might reveal itself.

Slowly, ever so slowly, hands, a chest, and a face emerged from the darkness.

I gasped, unable to stop myself.

Mithras was chained to the bottom of a pit, his body a husk of what it had once been. His dirty hair was the color of pallid wheat, his facegrayish and bruised. He was in the rags of what used to be his glorious armor, his crimson cape reduced to mere strings behind his back.

“Release your hold on the Dream Realm,” I snarled. I held the blade over his exposed throat, ready to strike. He was kneeling, completely at my mercy. I could do it. Iwoulddo it. “And stop whatever madness you have planned in Noctis.”

“Is it that simple, now?” Mithras laughed; the sound was hoarse and rattling. Like beetles across a stone floor. “It’s too late, Esmer. It’s over.”

“Liar,” I snapped, pressing the blade into his throat.

He didn’t flinch. Instead, he moved closer, another laugh escaping his lungs as his golden blood pooled across the metal. “I only called you here to warn you and to say goodbye,” he wheezed, eyes glistening. “I only wish Erebus were here, too. I tried summoning him, but he didn’t heed my call.”

“You have no right to speak with him,” I snarled.