68 The Dreamer

Dressed in a nightgown Treasca stood trying to force herself to climb into bed with Brenton. His breath was deep and even, so she was fairly certain he wouldn't try anything but for some reason her heart pounded. She took a step closer to make sure he was indeed asleep. Her breath caught as she saw his face. Brenton asleep maybe the single most beautiful thing she had ever seen. She reached a hand out to touch him unable to stop herself. Her fingers brushed his soft hair back. Butterflies fluttered, and she stood clutching it blushing. Did she love him? She was starting to feel something for him at least, even she could not deny that. She finally got the courage to slide onto the opposite side of Brenton laying so she faced the opposite direction. She closed her eyes suddenly overwhelmed with exhaustion. The very little she had slept in Dane's tent had not been enough to make her feel any better. She barely had time to realize that this sleep felt unnatural before she was at its mercy.

"So he managed to get you from that barbarian did he? That's wonderful I was hoping he would." The shade said sitting in a very large black and red throne. "Don't worry my darling you will not be in that lizard's bed long. I am planning on making my move soon. You being my eyes and ears will help me seal his fate. For now just keep up appearances, and when the time is right I will do the rest." The shade stood strolling toward Treasca. She felt so odd, like she was made of smoke, too light headed, she thought she may float away. The Shade grabbed her by the back of the neck and pressed his lips to hers. She could feel it, but nothing seemed quite real.

"This is just a dream I am planting in your head, dearest. Since the lizard has your waking hours I have taken over your dreams. Here you are mine, and mine alone. You will not tell anyone, I forbid it. Do you understand?" He asked hand still gripping her by the neck.

"Yes master." She said her voice startling her she had not ment to speak. He pulled her close again the kiss more fierce. He pulled her head to the side roughly and nibbled down her neck to her collar bone. She moaned still dizzy. He kissed to the top of her breast then bit it hard enough she cried out. His free hand went to the laces that ran down the bodice of the night gown. He slowly pulled the string letting it come undone slowly. She could just feel his hot breath on her when suddenly it all faded to black. She heard the shade cursing then she heard and saw no more.

Brenton groaned his instincts where screaming at him to wake up. He used all his willpower to open his eyes. He saw nothing but white hair for a moment. Then he felt it that tainted evil magic was here. He pulled himself so he was sitting up. He looked over to see Treasca her gown was unlacing itself and there was a bite on her chest. He jerked toward her placing his hands on her temples.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid." He growled cursing himself for not noticing before that very slight taint of magic no more than a tiny string. It was tethering her to the Shade. He had to break it, and fast or they may all be in very real danger. If he managed to free her though Brenton feared what it would do. Had the shade put in place spells that would simply kill Treasca if it was discovered. Brenton grimaced, he really had no choice but to try. He decided that until he could do more research he was better off just putting Treasca into a dreamless sleep. He finished quickly, but the magic drained him further. His spell would last twenty-four hours unless he could figure out how to safely free her Treasca would sink deeper and deeper into the Shade's control.