𝐒𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 | 𝟏𝟖+

☽♡ 7 ♡☾

𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗𝕾𝖊𝖛𝖊𝖓

❝Certain memories inscribed in the stone of time cannot be obliterated, but the sculpting of repentance may shape a future in the face of the darkness.❞

Saphyrine's eyes stirred to consciousness, a gasp escaping her lips as she found herself within the hidden sanctuary of the secret passage. Her searching fingertips traced the contours of the improvised bed, revealing a chilling emptiness beside her. A sudden pang gripped her chest.

Rowan was gone, but her eyes caught a glimpse of a figure in front of her. In the dim-lit space, Adryn stood there like a phantom, his presence casting an eerie stillness. In his hands, he cradled the vampiric tome, the one he had given her in anticipation of his gain. His eyes bore into hers, cutting through the darkness with an enigmatic certainty that sent shivers down her spine. This was bad.

Adryn's voice was unsettlingly calm, sliced through the hushed air. "You see, Saphyrine, I know it all."

A lump formed in her throat as regret gnawed at her. She chided herself for not treading more cautiously, for not shielding Rowan from the danger. The weight of her choices pressed down on her like an oppressive fog.

From the shadows, Rowan emerged, his voice carrying an unfamiliar edge. "Some things can never be forgotten, Saph. You belong to jail."

It left her breathless — she wasn't ready to hear such things from Rowan. Even if it was true. Absorbing his words, confusion etched her features as she scrutinized him. Something felt wrong. Her voice was holding confusion. "You never call me Saph."

Adryn cleared his throat. Snapping her gaze to him, her vision blurred inexplicably, unable to steady itself. The unreadable title on the vampiric tome teased her perception of reality. A creeping sense of dread unfurled within her, the realization slowly anchoring itself—a creation woven by the tapestry of her sleeping mind. It was just a nightmare.

Saphyrine awakened with a quick breathing in, wrapped in Rowan's soothing arms. He'd managed to cover them in blankets and cradle her in slumber — his warmth was welcome in the frigid environment. Thinking she was afraid of running out of time, his calm drowsy voice comforted her. "You slept only for three hours. It's the middle of the night."

She shook her head, searching his features. "I saw Adryn, he said-"

He kissed her temple, eyes closed. "It was just a nightmare, heart. You're safe with me. Rest more, give it another hour or two."

Saphyrine struggled to breathe steadily, feeling like if she had a hangover. Working tiredlessly in her lab had been a horrible decision — migraine tried to consume her. "I can't sleep now, Rou. My head hurts."

Rowan hummed and leaned around her, maybe to summon his trousers for a healing potion. But Saphyrine was quicker, delving into her dress' pocket for one. Instead, her fingertips came into contact with a different vial. She examined it in front of her, narrowing her eyes. "Wait, this is ScentLure."

Rowan came back to hug her. "Oh no, heart, we will take them later, not now."

Slowly, she shook her head in desbelief. "Rou, you don't understand. I don't remember brewing them yesterday. I wanted to, but—" No, she had no idea when she had made these remedies.

Rowan, feeling her distress, reassured her. "Relax, Sapphire. You've been working hard, you are sleep deprivated." He then assisted her in drinking the healing elixir entirely — she was most glad for that, because of her weakness.

She leaned her head back to the sheets, nodding. "Okay."

Her temples no longer ached, and she knew she would have a less difficult time falling asleep. Her hands gripped his torso more strongly and she frowned.