Dream and Dread!!

**Nora’s POV**

“We are done with this campfire. Let’s move inside,” Ronin shouted as everyone stood a guard trying to squeeze their vision through the dense mist covering the greenery ahead of us.

“Yeah, that will be safe. All of you go, I will stay at the entrance to guard,” This was the first time I heard Zach’s voice since we came to Azra.

“Not only you, me and Rorik as well will take chances throughout the night as we all need some rest. We don’t know what will be in store for us tomorrow,” Ronin stated as all nodded in understanding. I was still in the trauma of the shadow. The palms of my hands were as red as blood from the nails I was digging into them, knuckles bone-white until my every finger ached.

I was dripping in fear through bone which created doubts about whether what I saw was true or just a fragment of my over-driven imagination. For the last few days, I am not been myself. It’s as if the body is mine, but it’s been controlled by someone else. My breath was already caught in my chest as my heart was pounding at an unnatural speed rattling my ribcage. I was constantly writhing in fear that the shadow would drag me somewhere and lock me forever. Meghan must have noted my shivering and squirming as she held my wrist.

“Nora! Are you okay?” she gasped as she held me in her embrace, “Everything will be fine. We all are here with you. You will just be okay”, she stated as she wrapped me in a blanket and took me inside the entrance of the cavern.

“If anything happens to Nora and her babies, you will be solely responsible for it”, Liam shouted at Ronin.

“Watch your tongue before talking to my brother like this. The babies are his also, and he knows how to take care of his babies and your friend Nora, however witchy she is,” Sypha warned him as her eyes pierced through him.

“Oh really! Yes… Serpent Prince, but where are your powers now? Do you think it was wise to bring a pregnant woman here, in this unknown territory, lurking with unknown dangers, let alone a decent hospital for any medical emergencies? Did you even give it a thought that if anything goes wrong, it can be fatal to Nora and her babies? I had already least expectations from you and Sypha,” Liam gushed on Ronin, then shifted his gaze to Rorik, “But I never thought you would agree to this. I saw Nora getting angry with Ronin, but she always respected you and spoke highly of you. You were her only true friend on Crixus, yet you disappointed her. She never wanted to come here as her instincts and intuitions warned her of dangers, but you all turned a blind eye,” He snapped at Rorik.

“Liam, I knew we all were harsh on Nora but believe me, our intention was never to harm her. We just wanted Ronin to get rid of the serpent’s curse,” Rorik placed a hand on Liam’s shoulder to reason with him, but Liam was quick to brush him off, “To hell with the curse”, Liam snarled and followed us inside the cavern.

Soon Ronin, Rorik and Sypha entered the cave as Zach stayed at the front entrance. Instead of exploring it deeper, we decided to use the first cavern as our humble abode tonight immediately after the entrance. Ronin gestured something to Meghan, but as I was not in my senses, I couldn’t understand. I guess Meghan was quick to realize as she swapped the position with him.

Ronin laid beside me, “That’s it, just relax into me and let me take care of you now”, Ronin muttered as he circled me in his warm embrace.

“Yes”, the word slipped past my mouth as I turned my head against his broad chest. I felt relaxed under his touch, causing him to do the same. I thought as this was our moment. I hope that no dreams, nightmares, or visions will break the bond between us. All I just wanted was the time to stop and let me hold on with this feeling. I don’t know when my eyes gave away to the loosening of the burden on my mind.

*“We have to go; we can’t stay here”, I screamed at Ornith, but he didn’t bat an eye-lid. I scanned around the uneven walls of the cavern, trying to look for anything suspicious.

“But you still didn’t answer. Who are you talking about?” he asked, retaining his calm countenance.

“I already told you his name. He is too dangerous. We will have to leave! We can’t stay in this cave! We are not safe here. Please!” I pleaded.

“And where exactly do we run away? We can’t run away now. We are already behind enemy lines, in the Land of Azra, so we don’t stand a chance, Rebekah?” he snubbed at me.

“See, we can’t stay at one single place for too long. He will soon know of our location. So, we have no choice but to run away, keep moving,” I pleaded with him. I could see his expressions soften through my tearful eyes. And there was another look, the one which I couldn’t place. He was angry; he didn’t like seeing me cry.

“And this is the only reason you want to keep running? Don’t you think of me capable enough to protect you? You can’t run forever. We need to deal with him,” he said, coming closer to me, but I stepped back with every step he took forward. I didn’t want him to cloud my decision, and I knew very well that I would melt into him if he got too close to me.

“Don’t come any closer! I am not in a mood,” I warned him with a jittery voice.

“Answer me! Don’t you think I am capable enough to protect you?” he said, ignoring my pleas as he crowded on me.

“Yes, of course, it’s the only reason! No one can protect me!! Do you think I like to run? I know he will hunt me down soon,” I groaned.

“If that’s the thing, you have nothing to fear and no need to run. I can take care of you,” He looked hurt by my distrust of him.

“But I don’t understand…Why? Why would you do this all for me?” I asked, already well aware of the reason but wanting to listen from his lips.

“Is it not obvious?” he said, looking at me as though he needed me like he would need his next breath. His eyes looked like he wanted to consume me. His expressions reeked of blinding passion and needs. An impenetrable wall which I had built over me snapped as all I wished for was his kiss, and before I could say anything, he made his move, cutting the distance between us. He advanced towards me, framing my face with both his hands, leaning me towards his giant frame as our lips met. He kissed me so passionately that my body could take.

I quivered under his touch, unable to help the gush of emotions that took over me. It seemed like I had waited for an eternity for this, dreamt of it every night. I couldn’t stop my hands as they circled his neck, bringing him closer. I don’t care if I die right now.

My legs began to buckle at each joint as my muscles went soft. He grabbed my waist, wrapping one solid arm around it and picking me up from the floor. The great passion exploded through me as his lips sealed mine. The kiss seemed to be a medium of energy exchange between us as if he wanted to take every ounce of fear from me. He pushed me to the wall as our kisses became more aggressive. He parted my lips, invaded my mouth and at the exact moment in time, he owned me, dominated me as I surrendered myself entirely to him.

“I need to take you now,” he said, quickly grabbing the back of my neck and hauling my body into his. I could feel his lips on my neck as he sucked on my skin. My heartbeats knew no bounds. He placed me down on the rough floor of the cave. He didn’t once take his eyes from me as he started undressing me. His body looked impossibly strong, as though it could crush me to death if he wanted to. I shuddered as he touched my bare nipples.

My fingers traced each and every line of his perfectly chiselled body. My body melted into his grip as it squirmed in the hot flames by his irresistible touch. He abruptly slid his cock through my core as my ecstatic nerves were soon replaced by utter bliss. The waves of orgasmic sensation crashed into me with his every thrust turning aggressive second by second. My body reacted to every move he made, causing me to groan, moan and writhe. I was squirming in his tight grip as my body was jittering violently against his touch.

“Please leave me”, I begged as my body numbed under his.

“I want you to say now.”

“Please”, I replied

“Say the words Rebekah” he whispered, biting the soft lobes of my ears.

“I am yours, Ornith, take me…please, keep me with you and protect me always.”*

I opened my eyes with an alert as it took me a moment to understand my surroundings.

Shit! another dream of Ornith and me.

I don’t know why, but I felt relaxed now. Everyone was sleeping soundly except for Rorik. I guess he would be guarding the entrance now. The darkness was still around the corner. I was unsure of the time, but I think it will still take time for light to dawn in. I tried too hard but couldn’t bring myself to sleep again, so I slowly slid through the grasp of Ronin and decided to explore the cave.

I stalked inside another cavern as my eyes fell on the other sets of letters carved on the stone walls. I couldn’t decipher them, so I just ran my fingers over them. My eyes wandered around to search for more, thinking of what it could be as it took a moment for me to realize why the skin on the nape of my neck tingled again. The feeling that someone was watching me crusted through me. I scanned on my sides with my nerves twitching at the back of my spine. I turned my face slowly as the corner of my eyes sensed a SHADOW behind me. It scared the life from my bone as I froze on my feet, too terrified to move.

I am dead!