Chapter 166: Look at me
[ Back to Skarthheim - Autumn’s Chamber ]
It felt like the whole room had forgotten how to breathe.
Everyone stood still...maids, guards, even the witch healer...as Autumn’s breathing shifted, softer now... steadier. Her eyelids twitched. Her lashes fluttered. Then stilled again.
Kieran didn’t blink.
Velor,standing right beside Kieran exhaled quietly, "False alarm."
But no one dared to move even an inch from their place.
Another moment passed, stretched tight like a drawn bowstring. Then they heard footsteps.
Heavy and echoing against the stone corridor outside...as if there was an entire army marching towards that room.
The door opened.
And Thorgar strode inside.His armor shimmered faintly in the morning light, there was dirt on his face and hair...it looked like he was in the middle of something but had come running as soon as he got the news.
Behind him was Orion , the redhead.He shadowed Thorgar with eyes too sharp for someone so quiet.Two more guards filed in behind them, but only Thorgar drew heavy breaths as his eyes scanned the bed.
As soon as he found Autumn’s face, his eyes softened.
He didn’t speak.
Didn’t waste a second.
In a flash, he shoved past Kieran and Velor.It is worth mentioning here that the shove was no mere jab... the force could have broken stones.
Kieran staggered back, startled but furious. Velor reached out instinctively, grabbing his arm. "Kieran...no...don’t...!" He whispered in his ear.
But Kieran’s muscles tensed, every tendon in his body screaming..."Kill."
Thorgar was already beside Autumn, kneeling with unnatural grace for someone his size. His hand came to her cheek. His thumb brushed it softly, reverently.
"Autumn..." he whispered. "I am here, sweetpea. It’s alright. I got you. Wake up little one. Open your eyes. We are all waiting for you."
His voice was low, lyrical almost. There was something too intimate in it...like she belonged to them...like Kieran had no claim on her whatsoever...like he didn’t belong in her world...Something that made Kieran’s heart claw at his ribs.
Velor leaned closer to Kieran’s ear, pleading, "Don’t. Please don’t.I beg you. We are this close...don’t blow everything away..."
But Kieran couldn’t hear him.
He was watching Thorgar as he slid an arm under Autumn’s neck and gently lifted her, cradling her like she was porcelain and he, the only one fit to touch her. Her head lulled slightly on his chest.
Then softly he began to hum.
A lullaby.
Unfamiliar. One Kieran had never heard before...it was definitely some whispered Skarthheim lore...a lullaby from the Old world.
Kieran’s jaw locked.
The fury trembled inside him like a blade held to his throat.
His whole body was shaking now... like visibly shaking.
And just when it looked like he was about to snap...about to rip the entire room apart.. Charge right at Thorgar...
Autumn stirred.
Her breath caught.
The room held its breath again.
This time her movements were more active...her legs twitched under the blanket, her fingers curled slightly. She moaned.And then, a long, slow exhale followed.
"Autumn," Thorgar murmured, brushing hair from her face. "Can you hear me?"
Kieran nearly fell to his knees trying to contain his boiling rage...
The witch healer stepped forward, immediately but respectfully. Her fingers fluttered across Autumn’s temple. Then she checked her jaw for signs, murmuring incantations under her breath.
"Eyes... come on... just a little more," she whispered.
Autumn’s eyelids moved again. Once. Then twice.
The healer brought a small glowing stone to her face. "This will help. Just blink if you can see the light."
Autumn squinted.
Then... blinked.
A whisper ran through the room like wind through dry leaves.
"She is back," the older maid exclaimed, tears in her voice.
Thorgar smiled,almost triumphant, and then leaned in.
"I knew you would find your way,my brave little one, " he murmured. He bent forward and pressed his lips to her forehead...too soft, lingering.But that was it for Kieran.
He couldn’t take it anymore.
His vision blurred red.
He pushed Velor aside, yanking his arm free.
Velor stumbled, catching himself just in time, gasping, "No...stop! Don’t..."
But Kieran had already crossed the room in one single stride.
Velor tried to hold him back by the elbow but he shoved back so hard that he almost fell to his knees at the foot of the bed.
Right at Autumn’s feet.
His palms trembled against the cold stone. His chest rose and fell like a man drowning. He looked up at her... and saw Thorgar’s lips hovering over her head, her hair... Rage blinded him, every rationale forgotten... he was on all four, ready to lunge... ready to snatch his Autumn from the clasps of that corrupt man...
But right at that moment...Autumn opened her eyes
The world froze.
Even the witch stopped breathing.
Kieran stared at her, chest burning. Wanting...needing her to see him. To know that he was there. Everything rode on this one moment.
Autumn blinked slowly.
A soft groan left Autumn’s lips as her eyelashes fluttered.
But the world around her was a watery blur...colors blended, edges bleed into one another. Shadows loomed, light pooled,but there was no clarity.
Her hand reached forward, trembling, fingers stretching into the void until they touched something . It felt familiar.
She cupped the rough stubble on Thorgar’s jaw, her thumb grazed the dip of his chin.She smiled but then her brows furrowed in distress. "I can’t... I can’t see you..."
Thorgar caught her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm. "I am right here,my sweet pea, " he murmured,then he spared the witch healer a death glare.
Autumn’s breathing grew shallow, panic curling in her chest. "Why is it dark? Why can’t I see your face?"
Before Thorgar could kill somebody, the Witch Healer swept forward. Her eyes flickered with concern as she held out a small, smoky vial with glistening amber liquid.
"Drink. Quickly," the healer commanded. "The vision should come."
Autumn blinked as the vial touched her lips. The taste was bitter and it burnt her throat. Her face twisted in reaction, but she swallowed nevertheless.
A moment passed.
Then two.
She blinked again.
And the fog began to lift.
The blurred shapes started to refine. Colors returned to their true hues. The world stitched itself back together in quiet relief. And there, above her...Thorgar’s face loomed, etched in worry,every scar and crease perfectly clear.
Autumn gasped as a tear welled up. "I see you..."
Thorgar brushed his knuckles down her cheek, lips parted in a breathless smile. "I see you too,sweet pea."
With her vision now clear, Autumn slowly stirred and looked around. She turned towards Kieran.
She did look at him finally.
Their eyes locked.
The world faded.
It seemed like his name trembled behind her lips.
But then... She turned her head, slowly back at Thorgar. She looked up at his face.
She blinked again, confused.
Then her voice came, soft... dazed... but certain.
"...Who is he?"