Page 41 of Sienna Rossi: Beyond Shattered Trust

“Thank you for healing me,” she says softly, and then she steps away, going over to the fence where two empty mugs are sitting, half buried in the snow.

Turning away, I make my way back towards the barracks, hearing her make her way a little behind me. I keep my pace slow; it isn’t safe for her to be out here alone, even if she’s powerful.

Her conversation with Uncle earlier made me wonder how her life had been in the Gods’ Realm. When I reach the barracks, I glance back, seeing her disappear into the mess hall. She’s safe now.

I return to my room, removing my coat. I sigh as I drop onto the bed, staring at my hands. There is one thing I can’t deny: since she’s been here, she’s distracted me from the pain that weighs on my heart.

I pick up my tablet once more, staring at the unfinished letter I’m trying to write to Dad. How do you comfort someone who has lost the one person they loved the most? The other half of their soul? I remember the words of comfort I was given, and none of them helped.

I was drowning, and we hadn’t even marked one another. Dad and Mom… Their bond was complete.

Her body… The memory of seeing her beheaded.

I stare at the incomplete sentence on the tablet. Another night gone, and I’m unable to put into words what I want to tell him.

I do want to return to England when I can. The others have filled me in on how things have been in the short messages they have sent, Carter’s being the most useful. Renji glossed over the pain; Ares was short and abrupt. Carter provided the most insight, mentioning the good and the bad. He’s always been clear with his words, and it shows in his letters.

Then there’s Theo. I’ve still not heard from him, and what he said… That is something that is constantly present in my mind. That it was one of us who killed our mother.

My eyes flash, my wolf’s rage becoming one with my own. Whoever did this will pay. Blood or not.

My eyes snap open when I hear something. I turn my head, listening out for any sound until I realise it’s her. Another whimper.

Is she alright?

Then she gasps, her heart clamouring loudly.

I sit up; it’s not her heat, or I’d have smelt her. Did she have a nightmare?

She takes a shaky breath before she stands up; I can hear her taking deep, steadying breaths.

“Breathe…” she whispers.

These walls are way too fucking thin.

More deep exhales, and then she’s pacing, her heart hammering loudly at times and then settling down for a short while until it spikes again. What happened to get her so unsettled?

What the hell are you doing? Your storming around is disturbing those trying to get some sleep, I say through the mind-link, although she isn’t being that loud.

She pauses, her heart rate spiking as it does every single time I speak to her.

The way I liked it…

I had a dream.

Her and her fucking dreams. They’re never good news, I reply, frowning.

Open your door, please.

I frown as I hear her door open and shut, and then the light footsteps outside of mine. I get up and unlock it for her.

Her eyes flicker over me, and I realise I didn’t bother with pulling on my hoodie, although without my blanket I can definitely feel the chill.

Stepping inside, she shuts the door, and I raise an eyebrow. “Should you be here?”

“I think I’m the only one who should be here,” she counters before she freezes, her cheeks burning, and then she shakes her head. I mask my amusement, refusing to make this easier for her, and keep staring at her, crossing my arms.

She shakes her head, and I take the chance to look her over. Her hair is open; she’s wearing thick sweatpants and an oversized sweater that hangs off one shoulder, and I don’t think she’s wearing a bra…