Page 33 of The Last Aether

The weight of the beam pressed down on my torso, and I let out a whimper. Everything hurt.

Screams sounded from above, twisting my insides.

I coughed and sputtered. I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t get any air at all.

The world around me was fading, but just as it did, I swore I heard my name.

I jerked awake in the dark room. Atlas’s arm fell away from my waist as I sat up, his soft snores stopping for a second before picking back up. I pressed a hand to my chest, willing my heart to slow.

Everything about the dream was so real. I swore I could still smell the smoke, still feel the burn in my lungs.

I looked over at Atlas, wanting to wake him, to ask him to hold me and make it all disappear. He would without a thought of the fact that I’d woken him from a dead sleep. But after a day like today, he needed his rest.

I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood. My body trembled, and I took a moment to steady myself. I stole one last look at Atlas before forcing myself towards the door. I’d make myself some tea to calm my nerves and then come back to bed.

As I stepped into the hallway, I paused to listen. I didn’t hear any sounds of stirring from the rest of the house. My bare feet sank into the plush antique rugs that lined the halls and then the stairs.

A chill ran through me as carpet turned to hardwood, but I kept going, making my way towards the kitchen. As I entered, I pulled up short.

Riven sat at the kitchen table with his hands wrapped around a mug, staring down at the liquid swirling inside. His hair was in disarray, and glasses I’d never seen before were perched on his nose. He looked so lost in that moment, it made my heart ache.

Something must have given me away because his gaze jerked up. “What’s wrong?”

I cleared my throat, trying to get any semblance of a sentence out. “Bad dream.”

That familiar scowl was back.

I started to turn away. “Sorry for interrupting you.”

“Get a mug from the cabinet.”

I paused. “What?”

“There are mugs in that cabinet.” Riven inclined his head to direct me. “Get one.”

“You know, you could ask me like a normal person. Aura, would you like something warm to drink? Maybe that would help you sleep.”

A low chuckle escaped Riven and skated across my skin. The sound felt too good. Was that the first time I’d heard him laugh?

“Aura, please get a mug and join me.”

I was in some sort of Riven-laughter-induced stupor because I did exactly what he asked, retrieving a mug and pulling out the chair opposite him.

Riven took my mug and poured steaming liquid into it. As he pushed it back into my hand, our fingers brushed. The buzz that flared to life wasn’t one I’d felt in days. Somewhere along the line, my body had grown accustomed to the other guys, and I no longer felt that hum in my muscles. But I wasn’t used to touching Riven. Not in any way.

He jerked his hand away, flexing his fingers.

I tried not to let the sting of that land. He was trying. Showing me kindness.

Wrapping my hands around the mug, I let the warmth sink into my skin. I inhaled deeply. “This smells amazing.”

The corner of Riven’s mouth pulled up. “One of the gifts of the air affinity. We can imbue tea with any scent, and with that scent comes taste.”

I took a small sip. A cascade of flavors played over my tongue unlike anything I’d ever experienced before. “That’s incredible.”

“It’s one of my favorites.”

“I think it’s mine too.”