Chapter 16 - Arius, from my book Eos Renascent, is now available on Wattpad. You can read it for free here:
https://www.wattpad.com/story/176823549-eos-renascent
'Maeia took his head in her hands once more. His shaking became more pronounced as he looked back up at her with his bloodied and blackened eyes.
"This is going to be very hard for you," she continued. "Iâm going to give you what I can, but I need you to relax and allow me in."
His shaking gradually eased then stopped. "How long has it been?" he asked.
"I canât say for sure, but a few millennia at least, maybe longer."
She felt something wet as she held his face. Looking down, she saw a trail of dark purple on the back of her hand, causing an odd tingling sensation. She ignored it and refocused on his thoughts. "Iâll do what I can to help you get through this."
Outwardly he made no sound, but she felt the despair in his thoughts.
"There is no getting through whatever this is," he said.
"What do you remember?"
There was a long pause.
"I donât remember anythingâŠexcept her."
"Who was she to you?" Maeia asked.
Another long pause.
"She wasâŠsheâŠ." Maeia saw his chest heave.
Despite her intense dislike for any kind of physical closeness, she found herself wrapping her arms and hands around his head, pressing him to her chest, but closing off her mind to him. His chest continued to heave as she held him.'
PHOTO CREDIT: Unknown