Of Thorn and Thread (Daughters of Eville #4) - Chanda Hahn Page 0,31

it in there. I’m his enemy. Once we’ve banished the blight on Rya, then his duty as my protector is over.”

“He’s a jerk.”

“He’s right.” I laid back on the bed and closed my eyes.

“What do you hope to accomplish by going to Rya?” Eden kneeled on the bed and stroked the back of my hair to sooth my headache.

“I don’t know. I’ll do whatever I can. Mother refused to even help them, which made me even more determined to help. I think if he didn’t abduct me, I would have gone north on my own,” I said.

“You know she hates Rya, don’t you?”

“It’s something about my real mother, I think.”

We spoke for a few more minutes, but I couldn’t hide the pain that was becoming unbearable. The voices, I needed them to stop. I curled up in a ball and pressed my hands over my ears.

“I will have Liam put in the next room. Hopefully, he will be close enough to work his magic, but not too close.”

I snorted but gave her an affirming nod. “It will be,” I lied. Eden left, and I focused on shielding myself. First closing off the most brutal of thoughts and sins, then the hunger pangs. It was like a leaky roof, and every time I plugged a hole, the rain would pour in another. I couldn’t keep out the shower of thoughts, but maybe I could stop the worst ones.

I tossed and turned, frustrated at my abilities. A few candle marks must have passed, and I was fighting a losing battle. I stared at the open balcony and knew it would be so easy to just jump and end it all. Then there would be silence.

“No!” What kind of thoughts were those? I rolled over and bit my pillow and released a muffled scream. The pain released a mental shock wave.

I heard a loud thud from the next room, followed by running footsteps. My bedroom door burst open and Liam was there, standing over my bed. He scooped me up in his arms and cradled me like a child.

“Shh, it’s alright. I’m here.”

My cheek pressed into his bare shoulder, my tears running down his skin. He was only wearing his breeches, and the bandage around his wound. I tried to pull away, but his grip on me tightened. “Don’t fight me. Don’t fight this.”

And I didn’t. I relaxed in his arms, my head dropping onto his chest. He set me back down on my bed and tucked me under the covers. Then gently he laid on top of them and tucked his arm under my head. His other one cradled his own.

“Don’t do it,” he warned.

“Do what?” I whispered, my hair tickling my nose. I was curled on my side facing away from him, his arm under my neck.

“What I saw.”

I stilled. He picked up my thoughts of jumping off a balcony. Only my closest family members were in tune enough with me to pick up my thoughts, and here he was after only knowing him a few days picking up on mine. I refused to answer.

“Promise me that won’t ever happen to you.”

I tried to play it off. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Aura.” His voice lowered in warning, but I feigned ignorance.

I looked out to the balcony and shivered, thinking of my mother’s warning about my fall. Was it tied to me going crazy? I buried my head further into Liam’s shoulder.

Just enjoying the silence that Liam’s presence brought. I could feel my eyelids growing heavy. I heard the door open and soft footfalls draw close to my bed. Liam shifted to look at the intruder in the room.

“You felt it too?” Eden whispered.

He nodded.

“I was on the other side of the palace and it was like getting slapped in the face. Dorian is still sleeping like a baby. Oblivious. So it seems you are connected to my sister in some odd way.”

Silence followed, and I could hear Eden wondering if I was asleep. She was deciding if she was going to allow Liam to stay near me.

“If you do anything to her other than shield her, I will curse you and you’ll be walking out of here with goat’s legs,” Eden hissed.

“You have my word as a knight.”

“I don’t agree with this, but you’re the only one that can help her. In fact, I will speak with Dorian and we will get you on your way at first light. It will be best if you stay away from the