Chapter 20

Although tired, they all agreed it would be preferable to be far away from Kinloch Hold before setting up camp. When they reached the road that would take them to Redcliffe, they stopped near a small lake and made camp. Sitting around the fire, Emma soaked in the friendly atmosphere and the easy banter between friends, letting it warm her heart and wipe away the terrifying memories of the day.
"Come on sleepy-head, that's the second time you've nearly face-planted in your food." She felt pleasantly drowsy as he picked her up and settled her in his arms. She managed a wave to the others before curling into Aedans' chest. She was already asleep by the time he laid her on the bedroll.

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She could feel the grin stretching across her face as madness invaded her brain. She wrapped her hand around a man's throat, an insignificant insect who had to be crushed. Her hand was twisted and misshapen, the colour of dried blood. She flexed her fingers enjoying the fear that flared in his eyes. Then with a swing of her arm, she smashed his head into the wall and watched the river of blood run down, sliding in between the cracks, soaking into the stone. As the flow of blood became a trickle, she repeated the action, smiled at the satisfying crunch of bone, and drank in his screams of pain. She covered his face with her hand and squeezed slowly, oh so slowly, feeling her fingers digging into soft flesh until they pierced his skull with a wet squelching sound.

Do you see what you could become?
She lifted her head, looking around for the whispering voice.
Do you feel the power rushing through your veins?
She opened her mouth to scream but all that came out was a high-pitched demonic giggle.

Emma woke with a jerk, the scream dying on her lips, her heart hammering in her chest, her vest and knickers sticking to her body wet with perspiration. She felt the sides of the tent closing in on her. Oh God, I need to get out, need to breathe.
The thought circled her brain, increasing the panic that gripped her. She got to her feet, stood there trembling as she waited for a wave of dizziness to pass. She didn't want to wake Aedan with her pathetic nightmare.

Emma bit back a sob as the darkness closed around her. Thinking only of escaping the small space, she hastily stepped forward and stumbled. Her hand brushed against Aedan's back but Emma didn't wait to see if she'd woken him; she was too intent on getting out of there. The night breeze cooled her face as she started to run. She couldn't stop, didn't want to, because she was afraid of that voice catching up to her if she hesitated for even a second.

Aedan woke in time to see Emma scramble out of the tent as if an army of demons were on her heels. He pushed up into a sitting position and his hand touched her damp bedroll. "Shit."
He grabbed his trousers and pulled them on, cursing himself for not keeping a closer eye on her, even knowing she'd been upset by the events at the Circle Tower. He'd just been so exhausted, and she'd been sleeping so peacefully that he'd drifted off too.

Her lungs hurt with the exertion and yet still she kept moving, seeing shadows amongst the trees, eyes that glittered with evil intent. She went down heavily when her foot failed to clear a protruding root and lay there stunned, the wind knocked from her lungs.
"Angel, I'm here." She blinked and saw Aedan walking cautiously towards her as if approaching a wounded animal.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you." He stood there, momentarily stunned. She was scared out of her wits and yet she still thought of his well-being. He closed the distance and took her in his arms, holding her close. "You should have woken me rather than try to deal with the nightmare alone."
He picked her up, but she put a hand on his shoulder. "I'd rather walk."
He nodded and they set off across the field.

"I hope everybody is still sleeping, I already feel like an idiot."
He pressed a kiss to the top of her head before replying. "They'll just think I ravished you up against a tree."
A watery chuckle fell from her lips but it quickly turned to a sob. She choked it back, refusing to give in to the fear.
"Let it out, Angel." She shook her head stubbornly but another strangled cry escaped, and the dam broke. Emma dropped to her knees, leaning forward, one hand wrapped around her waist, the other clenched in the grass as she gasped for breath between each harsh sob. God, she couldn't breathe, her chest hurt so much it felt as if each cry was being ripped from her. Aedan knelt in front of her, his knees bracketing hers, a hand at the back of her skull, his body curved protectively over her as if in some way he could shield her from the horrors of the world. Eventually, the crying became more natural and easier to let out. She rested her forehead against his naked chest and he felt her tears splash against his skin. Aedan wished there was some way to ease her terror as he lifted her into his arms. "No argument this time, love."

Once they were back in the tent, he took off her damp clothes, held her close and pulled the blanket over their twined bodies. She shifted slightly as she got herself comfortable, and finally settled for using him as a pillow. She curled up within the curve of his shoulder and wrapped her arm around his waist. He kept a rhythmic stroke up and down her spine until they both fell asleep.

The next morning she awoke feeling refreshed. The golden rays of the rising sun filtering into the tent dimmed the horrors of the night and pushed back the dark memories. She watched dust motes sparkle in the light as she waited for her mind to become fully awake. Remnants of the nightmare still lingered, but in the cold light of day, they seemed a lot less frightening. She pushed herself into a sitting position and looked down at Aedan, still sleeping soundly. Gently, she ran a finger along the side of his face tracing one high cheekbone, and remembered his actions during the night, especially the way he'd sheltered her as she'd wept. Her lips lifted in a smile; she still couldn't believe her luck in finding someone who loved her, and who she deeply loved in return.

Quietly, she stood and stretched, grimacing at the stickiness of her skin. What she needed was a good wash, followed by a hot cup of coffee. That should clear away any lingering traces of the nightmare. She bent down and grabbed a large towel which she wrapped around her naked body, and then picked up her bag of toiletries. A sharp tug on the towel told her that Aedan was awake. She turned around, ready to wish him a good morning, but the words died on her lips as she watched him stretch out his toned body. Her bag slipped from suddenly powerless fingers, and she quickly went to catch it, which resulted in an impromptu juggling performance. Aedan chuckled as he climbed to his feet, deftly catching the bag and handing it to Emma.

He raised an amused eyebrow upon seeing the towel wrapped around her body. "Are you setting a new trend in clothing?"
"No, smart-ass. I want a wash before I get dressed and I don't think anyone would appreciate me running naked through camp."
He tilted his head. "Actually, I think a few of them might."
She slapped his arm. "Well, too bad, this belongs only to you." She opened the towel, giving him a tantalising glimpse of skin before she closed it.
He growled, snagged the edge of the material and pulled her into his arms. "And it's perfect, every silken inch of you."
She grinned and nipped at his chin. "Even the love handles?"
His hands moved down to the area in question and caressed them. "Especially those. Gives me something to hang on to." He leaned in and brushed a warm kiss on her lips. "Give me a minute and I'll join you."

They made their way as discreetly as possible to the lake. It made for a pretty picture as the sun sparkled off the surface. Emma threw off the towel and ran in quickly so as to keep the nudity to a minimum. She shrieked loudly and ran back out of the water, her hands flapping in the air. "C..c.. cold! Holy shit, that's freezing!"

It took a moment for her to realise that everyone had been drawn to the lake by her shout. Aedan moved quickly, grabbing the discarded towel and wrapping it around her. She gave him a grateful smile, and everyone else an apologetic smile. "Sorry, for disturbing your breakfast. Nothing to see here." She glared at Zevran who continued to linger. He gave her his most charming grin and walked away.

Using her magic, she managed to heat the water enough so that it didn't freeze her ass off, but still, they kept the bath short. Eventually, breakfast was finished, everything was packed away and it was time to head to Redcliffe.