Total pages in book: 401
Estimated words: 390373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1952(@200wpm)___ 1561(@250wpm)___ 1301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 390373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1952(@200wpm)___ 1561(@250wpm)___ 1301(@300wpm)
The bones of her hips jutted out as if they sought to break free of the skin. Her stomach was sunken, and her arms were no bigger than twigs. Tangled strands of black hair streaked with crimson covered her face and chest.
She was so…godsdamn thin, emaciated, her arms trembling under the weight of holding her upper body up.
“Jadis,” Reaver rasped.
I clasped my hand over my mouth as the female draken scrambled back against the wall, her feet slipping on the ground. She pulled her knees to her chest, and a noise escaped her: the dry, hoarse, unintelligible croak of unused vocal cords.
“Jade,” he whispered.
She twisted away suddenly, pressing her hands against the sides of her head as the noise scratching from her throat grew louder and louder until I realized it was just a single word, repeated over and over.
“No. No,” she cried, tugging at her hair with her dirty hands. “No. No.”
Even without being able to sense Jadis’s emotions, the anguish and terror she experienced were palpable. I desperately wanted to ease her suffering as tears welled up in my eyes.
“It’s okay, Jadis.” Seraphena scuttled forward on her knees. “I’m here. It’s okay now.”
Jadis shifted toward the sound of Seraphena’s voice, quieting.
“You’re safe.” Seraphena spoke softly and carefully as she continued inching closer to the draken. “You’re free, and we’re here with you.” Reaching her side, she slowly curled her fingers around Jadis’s fragile wrists. “You’re safe. No one is going to hurt you.”
Bony fingers loosened around her hair, and she lifted her head. I caught a glimpse of hollow cheeks and pale, chapped lips. “S-Sera?”
“Yes, sweet girl. It’s me.” Seraphena smiled, but it looked like it hurt her to do so. “I’m here.”
Jadis’s hands shook as she held them out in front of her. “Is…t-this real?”
Gods.
“Do you feel my touch? That’s real,” Seraphena assured her. “This is real.”
Jadis clamored forward and clutched at Seraphena’s blouse and hair. “I’m sorry,” she whimpered. “I’m sorry—”
“No, no, sweet girl.” Seraphena wrapped her arms around Jadis, and I blinked back tears. Holding Jadis tightly against her, Seraphena smoothed her hand over the back of her head. “You don’t need to apologize for anything. Okay?”
The breath I took went nowhere as Jadis’s response, broken by sobs, was hard to decipher. I couldn’t look anymore. I turned away as Seraphena worked to calm the draken.
Reaver remained on his knees, his features stark as he stared at them. I could tell he wanted to go to her but was holding himself back. I went to his side and placed my hand on his shoulder. The ridges of his scales were sharp. He didn’t react—not a single flicker of movement or breath.
The soft thud of leather straps and swords hitting the ground drew my attention. I looked over to see Casteel straightening. He pulled his shirt over his head and quietly and slowly approached. “Here,” he said, his voice low.
Seraphena glanced back and took the shirt. “Thank you.”
Casteel silently moved back as she returned to Jadis. He picked up the straps and swords he’d left on the ground. It took a bit of time for Seraphena to get the shirt on Jadis, and I didn’t think she liked the smell of Casteel—or anyone but Seraphena.
“We’re going to get you home to your daddy,” Seraphena said as Jadis huddled against her, swallowed by the shirt. “He’s waiting for you.” Running her palms over Jadis’s arms, Seraphena said, “Reaver is going to take you home—”
Jadis shook her head wildly. “No. No—”
“It’s okay,” Seraphena said, her tone soothing. “You don’t need to shift. I’ll open the realm for you two. But I can’t return yet.”
Jadis continued to shake her head as she clutched at Seraphena. “No. S-stay with me.”
“I can’t, sweet girl. I can’t return yet,” Seraphena told her as Reaver stood. “But I won’t be long.”
Reaver inhaled deeply, his features contorting with anguish before smoothing out. “I want to take you home,” he said, taking a step toward them. “Okay? I—”
“No!” Jadis shouted, and I winced at the pained sound she made as Seraphena gasped. “I don’t w-want to be here.”
“We’re going to take you home.” Seraphena shifted onto her knees. “You’re not going to stay—”
“I didn’t w-want to wake!” she screamed. And, dear gods, my heart truly broke then. “I d-don’t want to be h-here anymore.”
Casteel inhaled sharply, his jaw flexing as Reaver…gods. Reaver’s normally sandy-hued flesh paled, and the outline of scales on his skin became more visible. He looked like he’d taken a dagger to the chest.
Seraphena held the draken to her, her eyes closed as she cradled Jadis. “But we want you here. We need you here with us. We love you so very much,” she whispered. “So very much, Jadis.”
Jadis’s hoarse cries shook her and Seraphena. I stepped back. Casteel did the same, and I knew he felt the same as I did. We didn’t belong here. We shouldn’t be witnessing this.