by Crymsyn Hart
Illiana collapsed on top of Belik, and Ohanzee added his weight. She tried to catch her breath, but it seemed like her body was not her own. The elements still shook within her, but she was not claimed by them. Instead she was able to unravel and from them and come back to herself. When she opened her eyes, Belik had a pleased smile on his face and moved a piece of hair from her face. She kissed him above the heart and listened to it beat.
Ohanzee moved off of her and squeezed into the small space in the bed with them. She turned and glanced at him. “How was that?”
“Extraordinary. I could feel the elements at the last minute blast through me.”
“Me, too. It was remarkable,” Belik commented.
“Yeah. It was. Maybe we can use that more often once I figure out exactly how it works,” Illiana responded.
“I take it there will be more of this then,” Ohanzee suggested.
“I can deal with that,” Belik said.
Illiana felt the happiness expand inside of her. Together they could start a life. She could restart her life, and Christopher was truly in her past. She snuggled in between both men and felt whole and at peace for the first time since she left the flock.
“Good. I can, too. I love you both. Never forget that.”
“We won’t,” they said in unison.
Epilogue
She was running. Her feet were pounding over the pine needle and leaf-covered forest floor of the home she had left behind. When she inhaled all she smelled was smoke from a fire that was burning all around her. Flames were everywhere and no matter how much she tried to reach out and control them to make them understand her. They were too large and the fire spirits within them too focused on destroying everything in its wake than anything. Illiana tried to get away from the flames, but the screeching ravens above her and the howling wolves were too loud and she could not focus. And yet there were echoes of other birds she did not recognize accompanied by screeches from animals she did not know.
The thickness of the smoke threatened to steal the oxygen from her lungs. She had to get away from the forest. She had to warn everyone. Wolves went the opposite direction, and all she could think about was Christopher. Before she could get to the village, Illiana heard a large crack, and when she looked up a tree was coming down on her. She tried to dodge out of the way, but before she could . . .
Illiana awoke in a cold sweat. The heat of the fire remained on her skin and her lungs still burned from the smoke smothering her. When she sat up, she heard Ohanzee mumble in his sleep and Belik sleepily opened his eyes. He slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer.
“Everything okay?” he asked.
She ran her fingers through her hair. It was matted and stuck to her head. It took several moments of drawing in cooling breaths. I’m safe and in the house with Belik and Ohanzee. He kissed her cheek.
“It was another dream.”
“You’ve been having them on and off for six months. Do you think everything is okay?” Belik asked.
She nodded. “I know. I think something’s wrong.”
“Are you sure?” he asked.
The three of them had settled into their lives. The hut Ohanzee had moved into they had restored with the help of Ranolo, Asha, and the couple who had taken in Marta. She came over and played with them. Illiana was still exploring her abilities. The tribe had accepted her, and she was getting people coming to her door asking her help to access their abilities or even their animals. It seemed Ohanzee’s condition was not a one-time thing. Others who had not spoken about it were coming forward and asking for her help. Her dreams were sporadic over the months, but in the past month they had gotten worse. She did not know what to make of them. Illiana had asked Ranolo about them. He said that they might be portents or they could be just dreams.
“I don’t know.”
Belik sighed. “Do we need to go back?”
Part of her wanted to say no, but another part eating away at her wanted to say yes. What if the dreams were just that—dreams and there was nothing else going on. “I don’t know. I think we have to wait and see. If I have any more, then we have to think about it.”
Belik drew her closer to him and kissed her cheek. “I’m sure everything’s fine.”
Illiana nodded. “Yeah. I’m sure that everything is okay. Just my imagination.”
“Hey, you okay?” Ohanzee asked.
“Yeah. I’m good.”
Ohanzee took one of her free hands and squeezed it. Being in their arms, she felt safe. She smiled and let their combined presence bolster her. Illiana snuggled closer to them, and their love helped drive her fears away.
“Whatever it is, we can get through it,” Ohanzee answered.
“Yes, we can.” Illiana answered and knew that was true. They were going to be there for her no matter what happened.
To Be Continued . . .
About the Author
Crymsyn Hart is the author of over thirty books. Each world is filled with luscious vampires, gorgeous gods, quirky witches, and everything else that goes bump in the night.
Crymsyn worked as a psychic for many years in Boston while attending Emerson College. She graduated with a BFA in Writing, Literature, & Publishing. Crymsyn shares her life with a small zoo, two playful puppies, and her hubby Mark. If you come after dark, you’re more than likely to find her snuggled up with a gory horror movie, or a bloody vampire movie.
Crymsyn has a collection of Living Dead Dolls and five bookshelves overflowing with books. Of course there’s always room for more.