LJ looks back toward me, “You’re really here?”
“Yes, mate. You will need to trust me and I will get us out of here, but to do so I will need to hold you close as I slip into the penumbra to shadow-walk us to someplace safe. Can you do that?” My demon has softened his voice the best he can as he holds his hand out to Lillie. She looks around and sees that the little demon horde is creeping back toward her.
She jumps into my arms and closes her eyes. She mutters, “What do I have to lose at this point? Whether it's real or not?”
“I’m going to leap into the sky and fly, so hold on to me around my neck. I won’t let you fall. Poppy, come.” Poppy finds a place around Lillie's neck, nestled between us. I deem that she is safe and glare at the wicked sprights one last time before launching into the air and putting the Fields of Punishment behind us as I slip into the shadows and ride the currents back to my childhood home, the House of Lust and Envy.
28
Am I Dreaming
(Lillie Joanna)
Iwake with Cara by my side and Poppy watching me from her perch on Cara with a look of worry on her face. I feel as though I’ve been asleep for far too long. My nightmares plague me and I can’t seem to shake them. A feeling of worthlessness engulfs me. Closing my eyes again, I snuggle Cara closer to me and just let her nearness comfort me. How long has it been since I saw her last? It feels as though we’ve been separated for weeks. My stomach grumbles, forcing me to wake fully. Poppy is still watching me, but she has taken to the air above me, her wings fluttering softly.
Scrunching my nose, I sit up, “What? You’re creeping me out, Poppy,” I whine, my voice sounds disused and rough.
Poppy launches higher above me, her tiny dragonfly-like wings fluttering furiously as she whizzes overhead. “Are you awake? Finally?”
“What do you mean finally?” Cara nuzzles under my arm grabbing my attention as she tries to fit on to my lap.
“It’s been days since we rescued you from the clutches of the Fields of Punishment and those wicked little beasts. You would wake for just a minute, look at us, and then close your eyes again. So? Are you really awake this time?” She demands.
It’s then that I begin to look around me. The chambers are large and airy, although the skies outside are an eerie scarlet color. So unusual for Faerie or The Mortal Realm. The room itself is lavish in its décor. The large bed that I find myself tucked into is covered in a deep blue raw silk plush coverlet, with golden accent colors. The furniture in the room is a combination of navy, browns, gold, and turquoise. All the furniture in the room is made from what looks like a black wood that gleams under the high polish. I don’t know this place. One wall is open to a balcony that showcases the foreign-looking sky. Am I awake? I look up at Poppy in confusion, “I think so. Where are we?”
“Lillie, we’re in The Underworld. We’ve been waiting for you to wake for days. You will have to trace us out of here as soon as possible. What do you remember?” She lands on my lap and plops down next to Cara waiting patiently for me to answer.
“I don’t know. Not really, all I know is that I’m starving. It feels as if my stomach is caving in on itself. And my throat is as dry as the Badlands.” My voice is dry and scratchy.
“It’s no wonder. The way we have figured it, you’ve been here far longer than we have. We had to track you from The Mortal Realm to The Otherworld. Once we got there it wasn’t long before you ended up here. We just have no idea as to how you got here, who took you, and who took Vengence. We need you to fill in the blanks for us. Here, get some water and we’ll get you some food.” Poppy flies over to the bedside table to a crystal pitcher full of water. I gently sit Cara aside, petting her softly before swinging my legs out of bed. I feel as week as a day old kitten. How is that possible. My hands tremble as I try to pour a glass of water.
Strong hands wrap around mine gently, staying my attempts. “Here. Let me.” Daxell pours the water and holds the glass to my lips as if I were an invalid. I stare up at him and he just nods for me to sip and I do so. Smiling down at me, he gently lifts the glass tumbler from my lips and says, “My mother is having some broth and some bread brought up. We thought we would start you off easy. It’s been days since you have had anything to eat, that we know. It’s why you feel so weak.”
Nodding, I look at both Daxell and Poppy, “Why do I feel like I’m missing something? The last thing I clearly remember is that night at Rapa-City. After that everything becomes jumbled and fuzzy. I can’t distinguish what is real and what is just a huge nightmare, and then there is this.” I hold up my wrist, looking at the shiny silver bracelet that looks so foreign to me, yet I should know what it is. It weighs me down.
“Daxell, dear, don’t crowd her. We have time to get to the bottom of Lillie’s disappearance. Right now? We need to get some food in her so she
