Slumber Read Free Page B

struggled against a soldier, his young face mottled with anger. “He was going to have them killed anyway. Don’t let him make you think you did it.”
    Syracen curled his lip in disgust. “I’ve had enough of you. Sandstone!”
    The whip appeared in the soldiers hand and Kir was pushed into the dirt.
    “ NO!” I screamed, my heart lodged somewhere in my throat.
    “ NO!”
    “NO!” I bolted upright in bed. The sheets twisted around my body, my skin clammy, my hair stuck to my neck. Immediately, I sensed I wasn’t alone. Turning slowly, I saw her sitting in an armchair by my bed.
    “You were having a nightmare again.” Her soft, gentle eyes were sad. “More memories?” I nodded, feeling choked, the nightmare stil keeping me in its hold. “More memories.” Haydyn sighed and slowly drew to her feet. I watched her float across my large bedroom suite and pul the heavy brocade curtains back from my windows. I winced at the sunlight that streamed in, too bright, too adamant, wiling my bad memories away whilst I steadfastly anchored myself to them.
    “I told you I’d speak to Raj to see if he had a tonic to help you sleep without the dreams.” Raj was the Royal Dravilec, Valena was his apprentice. I shook my head. “I told you no.”
    “You’re the only one who ever says no to me.” Haydyn sauntered back to sit on my bed. Her pale hair shone almost silver in the sunlight, her beautiful face teasing and serene. “I wonder why I let you.”
    “Because you love me,” I stated matter-of-factly as I pushed back the covers to get washed and dressed for the day.
    “Yes, I do.”
    The statement was so melancholy I spun around to face her. It was then I saw it. That gloom in the back of her eye, in the slight dark purpling under her eyes. It had been appearing more and more over the last few weeks and I didn’t like it. “Something’s the matter.” Haydyn shook her head. “Just tired is al.”
    “Perhaps we should speak to Raj about a tonic for you .”
    She didn’t look convinced but as always, to appease me, she nodded. “Perhaps.”
    I grimaced when I realised she was fuly dressed for the day. Most times when Haydyn came into my suite it was stil so early she was in her nightclothes. “I overslept?”
    Haydyn grinned. “Haven forbid, but you did.”
    I roled my eyes at her teasing. “You know I hate oversleeping. It muddles up my entire day.”
    “I know. That’s why I let you sleep.” She grinned unrepentantly. Sometimes she realy was like an annoying younger sister. “You need a little ruffling up now and then, Rogan.”
    Making a face at her suggestion I was too straight-laced (which we both knew to be as far from the truth as possible), I puled on the servant’s bel to let them know I was ready for my morning bath. They would come to me as quickly as they would Haydyn. After al I was her best friend, her family. I had been ever since I had been brought to the palace eight years ago by Syracen Stovia. I was only eleven years old at the time. Haydyn was nine. At my arrival, Valena was quickly ripped from me and given to Raj. Kir was taken to live with Syracen and his family. And I was left at the palace with Haydyn.
    Both grieving for the families we’d lost, it hadn’t taken long for us to find solace in one another.
    Haydyn’s mother had died in childbirth, leaving Haydyn alone with her father. The Rada had pushed and pushed him to take another wife, to have more children, but he had loved Haydyn’s mother too dearly. He couldn’t bear the thought of making someone else his Kralovna. That left only the Kral and his baby daughter. Two peas in a pod they were, Haydyn told me. Inseparable. She had depended on her father for everything in life. Love, comfort, affection, friendship, advice, security. With him gone she was adrift. And I happened to be the float she grasped on to in his passing. She demanded I be put in the suite next to hers, where I had roomed ever since. I was to be given the