Chapter 18: Chapter Eighteen

Surprisingly, the night was peaceful. Someone knocked on the door twice in the early evening, I'm assuming Husk. I ignored it both times. After checking the bruising on my ribs and making sure the bones hadn't shifted, I wrapped my ribcage tightly with the bandage I found in my rucksack and went to bed.

I stared up at the ceiling of the tavern, thinking about what lay ahead of me. Realistically, we're probably only another day or two's travel from the battlefront. If I'm being honest with myself, I'm not looking forward to being in such dangerous conditions, but perhaps it won't be so bad. I mean, no one will know me there. No one would know what my mark means or doesn't mean. They would think I'm just an ordinary healer from the middle of nowhere. The weight I've been feeling on my chest lately started to lift a bit. And ultimately, if someone were to discover my fate by some random act of the Fates, then it would be easy to disappear. On the battlefield, people go missing all the time. Don't they?

I suddenly think of what Husk said earlier. When he whispered in my ear that I was interesting to him, the tone of his voice confused me. I was worried, of course, but there was a deepness to it that I just couldn't put my finger on. I can see his warm honey eyes in my mind. What would his face have looked like when he said those words? Would it have been hard and sinister or soft and gentle? I can still feel the warmth of his hand on my hip and the way his words brushed across my skin. A shiver runs down my spine but it isn't entirely unpleasant.

My face was lit aflame as I sat upright in bed. By the Fates, I would not develop feelings for him! I shake the thoughts from my head and remind myself of who I am. Of what I am. I am a person without a path, without a partner. Harboring any affection for him would only ensure an eternity in the pits of despair. Besides, he's entirely too suspicious! I'm sure he only meant that his interest was rooted in curiosity. Nothing else.

I take a deep breath and flop back on the bed, arms stretched out on either side of me. I have to stay away from him, no matter what. I've been so long without any kind of attention that his actions were clouding my mind. If I let it continue, then I'd be a fool. With this new resolve, I close my eyes and slowly doze off.

***

Wind rushes past me, causing me to stagger at the edge. I stare down into the endless fog that rolls through the chasm just below. The rock beneath my feet is unstable, but I don't care. A strange sense of calm has settled into my heart, despite the yawning emptiness I feel inside.

Footsteps approach from behind, making my heartbeat race. Goosebumps spread across my skin and I close my eyes. I refuse to look at who's behind me. Sorrow and a strange longing tighten around my heart, my breath hitches in my throat.

"Amelia..." The way that deep, resonating voice says my name nearly brings me to tears. There is so much pain and want in just that one word that it makes me want to turn around, go to him, and ease whatever suffering he's going through.

But I can't. If I turn around, my resolve will shatter. Tears fall down my cheeks. I can't risk being rejected by him. Anyone but him.

I hear him step closer and I can feel his warmth radiating from his body as he reaches for me. I step closer to the edge, rocks falling into the abyss below. He stops his advance. "Amelia, please..." His own sorrow is palpable.

His emotions flow to me through the connection we share, mixing with my own deranged madness. A choked sob escapes my lips. I can't do this. I know my only fate is one filled with despair and misery. I can't put him through that.

The tears continue to flow as my sobs are drowned out by the strong gales that whip at my hair. "I'm sorry..." With those last words, I step off of the ledge.

"Amelia, no!" As I'm falling, his voice is filled with raw emotion as he speaks his final words to me. My ending is finally here and it is the one that was always promised to me.

***

I bolt up in bed, gasping for air, clutching my chest. A cold sweat beads skin. What the fuck? I've had vivid dreams, but that... The sensations were too real, the emotions too raw. I shudder and bury my face in my hands. Forcing myself to take slow deep breaths to ease the panic that's rising up in my throat, I struggle to push the sensations out of my mind.

Once my heartbeat slows down, I look out the small window in my room. The sun is just barely peeking over the horizon, though the birds haven't begun their morning song yet. I sigh. There's no point in going back to sleep. The knights will be getting ready to leave soon. Besides, if they weren't I doubt I'd be able to get much more sleep after a dream like that.

Kicking off the blankets, I rise and pick up my clothing from the chair where I'd laid it last night. I check my bandages to make sure they're still tight enough to hold the bones in place and get dressed. It's slow going trying to lace up the vest over my grey blouse. My hands are shaking and my fingers won't listen to my commands. I sigh again. Screw it. It doesn't need to be laced up, it can just lay open. The outline of my bandages is visible under my shirt, but it doesn't matter. No one will be looking closely.

After pulling on my boots and grabbing my rucksack, I leave the room and walk into the main part of the tavern. It's a quaint little building made from brick. The rooms line the edges of a large dining hall that's filled with tables and kegs to serve all of the guests that may come through. A hearth blazes in the corner, warming the air inside to the point of being stuffy. It was my first time in such a place, yet I didn't get a chance to look around and enjoy the experience thanks to the actions of a certain bear of a human.

I grumble as I spot the man in question. He's milling around the group of knights as they enjoy their breakfast. They're all making such a large ruckus that I feel bad for any other guests who may be staying here. Everyone is so caught up in their own conversations that they don't notice me enter the space, not even Husk, who seems oddly observant. Good. I should use this to my advantage.

I cautiously walk along the edge of the group, hoping to go unnoticed and slip out the front door. The morning air is brisk, but refreshing after being in such a warm and crowded room. The streets around the tavern are quiet, the populous not yet getting their days started. As long as the knights leave soon, our departure shouldn't cause too many disruptions to daily life here. That'd be nice. I felt bad for the townsfolk as we made our way here yesterday. With such a large group crowding up the streets, the normal people had no choice but to stand on the sidelines and stare. All the attention had made me uncomfortable, and I'm sure their day after that had been thrown off by the disturbance.

A noise around the corner of the building draws my attention. Who would be over there so early? I don't want to eavesdrop, but curiosity gets the better of me. Walking closer to the source, I hear talking. A conversation?

"Yes general, I understand. The asset is being closely monitored."

The sound of Lieutenant Wellsworth's voice makes me freeze. If he's speaking to his general, then I shouldn't be here. I go to turn away, but the muffled voice coming from the other end of what has to be a communication orb makes me pause.

"Good. Keep a close eye on her. If there is so much as a hair missing from her head, then it will be your neck on the line. Is that understood?"

Chills run across my body, raising goosebumps on my skin. Her? Are they talking about me? Why the hell would someone who can only be General Bludborne care about my well-being? My mind is racing with questions. However, one thing is made dangerously clear after hearing that small bit of conversation.

I need to stay as far away from General Bludborne as I possibly can.