Eyes of Ember (Imdalind Series #2)(112)

It took a second before his face appeared in the gap under the bed, his hand reaching to help me out. But I couldn’t see through the fear enough to respond. I only howled more.

I felt Ilyan’s magic flare inside of me, his warmth moving through me as he steadied my heartbeat. My voice died into nothing, my anxiety lessoning. Ilyan reached forward again, but I just looked at him, not quite willing to leave the security the bed provided me. Ilyan waited another moment before relaxing his hand, his body lowering as he lay down on the ground beside me. His body was stretched out on the floor while mine was crammed under the bed.

“I’m sorry, Jos.” His voice was soft. And while I could feel some of my panic edge away, it wasn’t quite enough. “I will make you safe. I will make you whole again.”

I stared at him, my eyes wide. I tried to convince myself that what he said was true, that I was safe, that I would be whole again, and that I would no longer feel this panic and pain that controlled my body.

But I didn’t know if I could believe him. I wasn’t even sure if that was possible.

Ilyan began to wedge himself under the bed, his tall, wiry frame moving right up against me. I could feel the warmth radiating off of his skin.

Without thinking, I reached up and pulled at one of the short locks of hair that covered his head. He smiled at the action, his body moving closer as I brought my hand back.

“I cut it for you, after what you said in Italy. When you couldn’t wake up… I was…” his voice caught, and I could almost swim in the emotion that was emanating from him, the fear and the terror. I knew what he must have felt, because I had felt it too when I was first trapped in the T?uha.

I curled myself into him as he lay beside me, his body wrapping around me tightly. I laid my head against his chest as the space around us filled with his song. Ilyan whispered the words roughly, the sound surrounding me in comfort.

I stayed stiff in his grip as he sang, his hand rubbing over my back, his lips heavy against the skin on my temple. Deep inside I was still waiting, waiting for someone to attack, waiting for blood to come. Waiting for Ryland to hurt me; Ryland, who wasn’t even safe in the real world anymore. I knew that place was gone. I had made it out, right to where I wanted to be.

Where I wanted to be.

I was where I had held out hope that someday I would be again. It was the reason I never forgot his song. My heart had held onto him. And as he clung to me, as he soothed me and held me, I felt everything begin to relax.

My heart opened me up, taking me away from the panic that still clung to my body and hid deep inside my muscle tissue. I could still feel the panic, fear, and anxiety deep inside of me. I knew it wasn’t gone, but somehow Ilyan made it better. He made my heart calm.

My heart.

Love.

It was so strong. It filled me, consumed me. If I focused on it, I could almost feel normal. Normal. No twitches, no stutters, no rats scurrying through my brain. I could easily remember every moment of my life, every heartbreak, every joy, and every fear. Every moment I’ve shared with every person that ever meant anything to me. And I saw it all with perfect clarity, the emotions sharper than I ever remembered them. They weren’t as raw as the terrors I had escaped from, they were just me. And with just those thoughts inside of me, I could just be me.

Just a girl. In Ilyan’s arms.

Slowly I uncoiled my body, my arms disentangling from against my chest, to wrap them around Ilyan. My fingers dug into his shirt, wrapping the fabric around them. I pulled him close to me, and he wrapped his body around mine, keeping me close, keeping me safe.

Danger was everywhere. Heck, danger was now tucked deep inside my brain. I knew without a doubt I would be haunted by it for the rest of my life. But right here, right now, I was bigger than it. Ilyan made me bigger than it, made me stronger than it.

Ilyan made me stronger. And here, in his arms, I felt everything open. Every magical vein in my body was alive, surging with fire – with power.

I wasn’t as scared anymore. I wasn’t as confused. I could do anything.

I knew where I was going to start. I don’t know if it was based in fear, or pain, or revenge for what he had done to me. But one thing was clear.

I was going to start by killing Ryland LaRue.





Join Wyn and Ilyan and find out what happened during the final T?uha in Scorched Treachery the next book in the Imdalind Series, which is out now





If you have Questions about the ending of Eyes of Ember, please read here

http://www.rebeccaethington.com/2013/04/23/rypov/





Acknowledgments


Who could have predicted the outpouring of love and support and kindness I have felt after Kiss of Fire made its debut. I certainly didn’t! I have been overwhelmed by everything that has happened, and continues to happen. I cannot thank you (yes you!) enough for being part of that.

Thank you for reading, for sharing, for loving, for reviewing, for your eager anticipation. Thank you for your support.

My fans have blown me away!

Thank you to my family who has stood by me, and cheered me on.

Thank you to Kim who stepped in to edit at the last minute and saved the day. Thank you to Sarah whose endless vision creates one amazing cover after another. Thank you to Crystal for the neck rub, and the final edit gloss over – you perfected this piece!

Thank you to my beta readers and anyone who stepped up with a smile and supported me.