The Devil Inside

Chapter 25

(RK's POV)

*Dream*

The forest is a void of darkness, light unable to penetrate the thick canopies above. Or maybe it simply isn't light out yet, after all, there is no time here. And maybe that's what keeps me here, the thought of never going forward or back, simply staying exactly where I am for all eternity, maybe that's what makes it appealing in the first place. A land where no one ever grows old, where time and life seem to have stopped. A place where you can watch the world and your loved ones pass through time and space, unable to slow down, as they continuously move closer to death with each passing second. Maybe that's why I like it here, why I never want to leave, even though I will eventually. All children have to eventually leave.

I wander through the veil of darkness, weaving in and out of the trees, occasionally peering over my shoulder to see if he is following. I smile to myself when I see that he is, although he remains mostly hidden by shadow, I can feel his presence, drifting behind me. He never was one to stray too far from me, something about wanting to protect me, oh the irony.

I smile and repress the urge to giggle as I quicken my pace, dashing between the trees until the tree line evidently halts, stopping at the shore. I skip across the smooth sand, my bare feet brushing up against the silky grains as they glow in the moonlight. I approach the splashing water soundly, bunching my skirts up to my thighs as I did my toes into the cool surf. I let out a relaxed breath, wiggling my toes gently as I step further out into the water.

Just as I'm about to take another step, a pair of lean arms lock around my slim waist, abruptly hoisting my out of the surf, and over their shoulder. I giggle despite myself, and hastily tug my dress down, the white, torn fabric barely grazing my ankles.

My captor sets me down on a small sand dune closer to the trees, and shakes his head at me, chuckling lightly to himself. I prop myself up on my elbows, biting my lip as I glance at him through my lashes, making him indiscreetly suck in a sharp breath.

"Something wrong?" I question innocently, sitting up slowly.

His eyes follow my every movement as he offers me his hand, hauling me to my feet. I brush off my skirts quickly before meeting his intense gaze. He has yet to respond and it's killing me waiting. I press my body closer to his, hoping to sway his mood; he is known to have a bit of a temper.

Eying me as I indiscreetly press my body against his, he finally complies, and wraps an arm loosely around my waist, making me smile. I trail my fingers lightly down his jawline and his neck, dragging them sensually across his shoulders and collarbones, which causes for his breathing to hitch suddenly. He wants me just as badly as I him.

"I've missed you," he finally admits, touching his forehead to mine, making my heart swell in a delicious way.

"I've missed you too," I confess as well.

"Why can't you visit more? You used to when you were younger," he trails off. I know he usually doesn't open up like this, and the idea that he feels he can around me makes me so happy.