Shattered Hope * Book 2, free, on going *

11. Dreams

Sally-Anne

Year: 1984, 29th May, Tuesday, 7.31 PM, P.S.T, Spring.

"What do you want to dream about, Sally-Anne?” His voice was thick, sweet and dripping like his honey scent. Roman carried me in his strong arms, moving us towards the bed.

“A fantasy, I want to escape all of reality. Whatever you need to do, do it.” I spoke in an almost whisper. Reality was too much. I'd wanted it. Begged for it but now it was here oblivion sounded better. I'd been ready for the end of everything but here was Roman; sweet and kind. I was a complete mess on the inside; twisted and broken. Yet Roman was unfazed. He was more than understanding. Lying in his arms, looking up into his glossy black eyes as he lowered me onto the bed, there seemed to be so much more between us than just flesh and the taste of our emotions. Something hummed. A taste of emotion that I did and did not recognise. It tugged at a painful slice of reality that I couldn't quite remember. "I'm sorry."

"What for?" He chuckled slightly, amusement brushing up against me. It irritated me. What was there to be amused about? Roman tasted my anger, chuckling a little more, mirth dancing in his black eyes. "It's not my intention to make you mad. I also can't help but find it a little cute." He soothed, brushing back my slightly damp hair. "What I meant was, what is there to be sorry for?" All his words were softly spoken as if uttering a word too harshly would bring on an avalanche.

Perhaps it would.

"Because I'm acting crazy." Maybe it wasn’t acting. Maybe I was buried in insanity.

"No one blames you, the trauma doesn't just go away. Regardless, I'm the one who acted crazy. I should never have let you go." Sorrow perfumed the air. "I regret that Sally-Anne, truly."

"You gave me hope." With tender fingers I touched his face, brushing over his cheek, his lips. "I wasn't strong enough. We were only a few minutes away from the airstrip when…” The words got stuck in my throat, “but I couldn't bring myself to kill him. I looked for loop holes like you said but he caught me, and everything got so much worse."

"I should have given you more than hope, I should have given you your freedom." Roman’s emotions spiked, barbed waves of bitter regret.

"You tried." Was all I could find to say.

"Not hard enough. Not everything." There was an edge to his voice, a slight growl.

"We were strangers." I shrugged, seeing the way I was snuggled atop his bed with his body only inches above mine in a new light. A split second ago it had been perfect, safe, but now I’d reminded myself that, despite my feelings, I barely knew this man. Or rather this Demon. Had I jumped from a fire only to land in an inferno?

"I hope we shall never be strangers again." I could see my reflection in his eyes. My black hair was fanned to one side, splayed over the pillow. My eyes were bright. My face pale but unchanged. There was nothing on the outside that told of the horror that was screaming within. "Are you ready to dream now?"

"Yes."

"It's a bit like a reverse Sleeping Beauty - only…”

"You're going to kiss me?" I interrupted, not wanting to hear the explanation.

“If that’s alright?” His lips tugged up at one corner, a beautiful smile. I smiled back, remembering when I’d asked him to kiss me. It had been glorious. A triumph. A powerful moment. Roman lowered himself. One hand trailed softly down my arm. The heat of his skin, the scent rolling off of him, the elevated pace of his thumping heart should have wrapped me up in excitement but all I could feel was a burning panic at the feeling of the soft pads of his fingers. A little frown creased his forehead. Roman arched one brow, questioning.

“Claws, please.” I squeezed on the knives. I had Guy’s knife. He was dead. It didn’t matter - I was still reminded of his unwanted touch. Roman’s careful fingertips became sharp, just as careful claws. Relief that I hadn’t had to express the vile comparison out loud flowed over me.

Roman’s lips came closer. His heat met my permanently chilled lips. I was alight. It was exquisite - beyond exquisite; the kiss was ethereal. A fire spread through my body along with a deep taste of ash and spice that made me want to smack my lips. Burning for more I arched, pushing myself against his muscular form. This kiss was something else. It was OUT OF THIS WORLD. Like I was burning alive, yet not consumed but cleansed. His ministering lips were making a saint out of me. It was almost enough that it felt as though my heart might beat. An abrupt stop had me panting for air I didn't need. If it wasn't for the paralysis invading my limbs I would have pounced. Locked us in a kiss that would never end. “Stars shining bright above you…” Roman began to sing. A soul soothing, dreamy song that drew the soft veil of sleep in. Shadows hugged the room with intentional cosiness.

“That’s beautiful…” My whisper led into a yawn. Heaviness slipped over my eyes and they began to close.

“Night breezes seem to whisper ‘I love you’, Birds singin’ …” Roman continued singing. His voice was so sensuous. The song, one I was sure I hadn't heard before, morphed into a hum. Unable to move or say anything I used my Tick to ask Roman to stay with me; sharing the feeling of safety and comfort that his presence brought. I was positive that Roman was still singing as he snuggled down next to me but it was just the tune that carried over, sweeping away the waking world and sparking a symphony of dreams behind my closed eyes.