FORTY-EIGHT
LIV
I was safe in the darkness. So completely and utterly at peace. Energy seemed to spark around and inside me, vibrating with the rhythm of life itself. But best of all… best of all was the warm, golden bond that seemed to run from the deepest part of my being to him. I felt his presence in that bond before I even noticed the solid form behind me, holding me so wonderfully tight. It hummed quietly, contentedly as I carefully prodded at it with my mind.
Warin.
A sense of love so pure it made me quiver ran toward me through the bond when I thought his name, and the arms holding me constricted tighter for a moment.
“Where are we?” I asked—but the second I opened my mouth, something gritty and unpleasant fell into my mouth. Dirt.
I hacked and spat, only to get more of it in
