Dark flashes of red and gnashing teeth tormented Lioren as she lay paralyzed by sleep. Just keep running, she told herself. She had to keep running. But everything was dark, save for the cracks of red that felt too hot. She ran, breathless and barefoot across dirt and grass. Claws tore the earth in heavy thuds behind her. The hot breath of pursuit coated her neck in a damp perspiration as her legs began to give out. Lioren stumbled into the dirt, rolling with the impact, as golden eyes loomed over her and all she saw were dripping teeth.

  Lioren bolted upright, her heart hammering and breath coming in fast, short puffs. Darkness filled the room with only small silver beams shining through the window. She looked around, anxiety gnawing at her, half-expecting something to be hiding in the shadows. But the silence was broken only by the steady breathing of her friends. Her skin was clammy, hair slicked to her face. The bandage on her arm had soaked through and clung to her skin. She was safe. She took deep breaths to slow her speeding heart and wiped the sweat and hair from her face.

  “You okay?” Tomas’ voice was quiet but Lioren still jumped like he shouted. Lioren turned and saw his eyes glinting from his bed in the fading moonlight.

  “Yea, just a nightmare.” She whispered back, nodding to herself like she could chase the lasting images away with the movement.

  Silence.

  “You good?” He asked again and Lioren nodded, but her nods turned to head shakes as tears threatened to fall. There was no hesitation, sheets rustled, followed by light footsteps.

  “What are you--” Before Lioren could object, Tomas pulled back her sheets and was squeezing himself in behind her on the narrow mattress.

  “Tomas..”

  “You know this is the tiniest mattress I have ever slept on?” Tomas cut her off, his arms coiling around her, warm and secure, pulling her back into him. Gentle, as to not aggravate her nonexistent side wound.

  Lioren snorted as his breath tickled the back of her neck and she rolled over so her forehead rested against his chest. She took a deep breath of his scent, fallen rain. “You’re the one who bought the cheapest room.” His chuckle was muffled by her hair but it settled something low in her stomach. His breathing evened out as they lay in silence. It wasn’t the most romantic situation but it was sweet and it was safe.

  “Lio.. about earlier..” Lioren tensed, already anticipating what he was going to say.

  “You can’t keep going after Kale like that.”

  “I’m not going after him.” Her whisper cut like a blade through paper. “He keeps—”

  “I’m not saying he is innocent.” Tomas cut in, his voice soft but surprisingly firm. Lioren bit her lip and fell silent as he continued.

  “It's not about just you two anymore. It’s about Mira, too. Every time you and Kale clash, she gets pulled into the middle of it.” He tightened his arms to soften the truth behind his words and Lioren let it squeeze some of the tension from her shoulders. “You saw her face tonight.” His voice was low enough to resonate within the small part of her that still cared.

  Lioren let out a breath she forgot she was holding. He was right. She saw Mira’s excitement turn to ash amidst the heat of hers and Kale’s war.

  “Kale is used to calling the shots. And I get it, he made a really bad judgement call. But you can’t expect change overnight.” He gave her a long kiss on her forehead. “Don’t get me wrong, I like this new fire in you. Just maybe don’t scorch Kale every time he opens his mouth.”

  Lioren’s fingers curled tightly into his nightshirt. The threat of admission—that she wanted Kale to burn alive—settled just behind her teeth. She craved the chaos it would bring. But she wasn’t a god’s game piece—not Kaelrix’s, and certainly not Veyra’s.”

  “I never wanted to hurt Mira,” she mumbled into his chest. It was partially true. “I’ll try to play nice. For her sake. And yours.” A pause, followed by a shaky breath. “I just don’t want to end up staring death in the face again.”

  Tomas didn’t answer right away. Instead, he just held her tighter, pressing a long, quiet kiss to her forehead. His hand slid up her back and rested gently between her shoulder blades—like he was trying to anchor her there with him, steady and safe.

  Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  “I don’t blame you for being scared,” he said, voice low and close. “But you’re not alone in this, Lio. You haven’t been for a while now.”

  Lioren slowly began to loosen her curled fingers, and Tomas smiled just a little, just enough.

  “Besides,” he added with a soft laugh, “if you’re going to burn someone to the ground, you should at least give me a heads up so I can stand somewhere safe.”

  Lioren gave a quiet laugh against his chest.

  “There’s the sound I like,” Tomas murmured, shifting so his chin could rest lightly against her head. “You don’t have to pretend with me, remember? Not the brave act. Not the strong one. I’m here—bad jokes and all.”

  He let the silence settle, not heavy, but warm. Protective.

  “And if death wants to pick another fight with you…” He shrugged a little, his arm tightening just enough to make her feel it. “Then it better bring backup. Because I’m not letting it take you without a hell of a brawl.”

  Lioren continued to chuckle into his chest as a single tear broke free and disappeared into her pillow. His steady breaths gave way to the deep pull of sleep. Each one beckoning her. The steady beating of his heart sounded like a lullaby and for the first time since she could remember, sleep came easy, and the nightmares stayed away.

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  A soft motion tickled her cheek bone as Lioren stirred. She raised a hand to swipe away whatever disturbed her rest and found a hand. Her eyes shot open to see Tomas smiling gently at her. He was already dressed and ready for travel. It looked like he finally figured out how to buckle his armor. Shit. Had she overslept?

  Tomas grinned wider, caught in the act.

  “Relax,” he murmured, brushing his thumb gently along her cheekbone before letting his hand fall away. “I told Mira and Jessabelle to give you a few extra minutes. Thought you earned at least that much.”

  “Besides,” he added with a crooked smile, “you’re terrifying when you don’t sleep. I figured letting you sleep in might be in my best interest.”

  Lioren blinked sleep out of her eyes as the rest of the room came into view. The pale pink light of dawn was starting to give way to soft yellows as the sun rose. Mira and Kale were nowhere to be seen and judging by their empty beds, they were packed and waiting downstairs. Sitting on the foot of her bed was her own leather armor along with her blades.

  “Darn..” She murmured and rubbed her eyes, “here I was hoping I would get to buckle you in this morning.” She reached up to the ceiling to stretch her drowsy muscles before flipping off her bed sheets and swinging her legs over the side of the bed.

  Tomas smirked, stepping back to give her space, one brow arched in challenge.

  “I thought about asking you to help,” he said with a playful edge to his tone, “but I wasn’t sure I’d ever be allowed to leave.”

  Lioren laughed as she stood, retrieving her armor and arching a brow.

  “I’ll let you have that one, because I’m still tired. But don’t get used to it.” She flashed him a mischievous smile and then looked him up and down. “You turning around, or are you expecting a show like the one you gave me?” she asked, only half-teasing.

  Tomas’ ears flushed instantly, his smug grin faltering as he half-laughed, half-choked on his own breath.

  “I-- I didn’t give you a show. You walked in on it.” He paused as Lioren started to unfasten her night shirt. “Besides,” he muttered, trying to sound breezy and failing miserably, “if I knew you were grading me, I’d have stretched first.” He turned on his heel, facing the wall like it might protect him from the heat rising to his face.

  She smirked as he turned, back straight and ears burning. It was almost unfair how easily she could rattle him now. Almost.

  Lioren rolled her eyes as she pulled off her night shirt and traded it for her undershirt and pants. Tomas stood there rigidly, arms folded like a scolded schoolboy, and then added under his breath.

  “...so, how’d I score?”

  Lioren snorted as she pulled the stiff leather over her head and began to fasten the buckles and straps. She paused at the five puncture holes on the side, her chest growing tight. The leather had survived. So had she. But something else looked out through those holes. Hiding beneath her skin. Waiting.

  The tightness passed and she let out a quiet breath, then looked out the window as the yellow light of sunrise grew stronger and Whistle Hollow was emerging, ready to start the day. She tightened the last strap and grabbed her blades as she approached Tomas.

  “Sorry, final scores are for full performances.” She gave him a light pat on his back and moved to the door where her bag was packed and ready to go next to her boots. She folded her night clothes and stuffed them in the bag and slipped on her boots.

  Tomas blinked after her, mouth parting like he had a retort, only to close it when he realized he didn’t. A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he gave a small shrug.

  “So I still have a shot, then.” He said it more to himself than to her, grabbing his pack and following her. He opened the door and held it open as Lioren slipped on her other boot and slung her bag on her back. She gave him a light smirk and led the way into the hall and down the stairs.