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Imogen had never been able to appreciate thunderstorms before.
They would always be the backdrop of her worst nights, a red storm capturing the land, with thunder, wind, and lightning chasing her back to the farmhouse. They would sweep away close friends and important figures, reminding Imogen that there is no bringing them back.
It was worse on Ruidus. They were there when Liliana was almost assassinated, when FCG was killed, and when Predathos was unleashed.
But that’s all over now.
Instead there was just a late summer storm, further darkening the night sky, occasionally illuminated by pale lightning. Rain fell in sheets against the cottage, but Imogen wasn’t afraid in the slightest. For the first time in a long time, she was calm in the storm.
It helped that Laudna was curled up next to her.
As soon as she heard the first crack of thunder that evening, Laudna had insisted that they make a blanket fort and stay in it for the night. Imogen couldn’t say no; Laudna had already grabbed pillows, and once she started, there was no stopping her. Then again, Imogen wouldn't have wanted to anyway.
She closed her eyes and pulled Laudna closer, figuring it was time to stop admiring the storm and sleep.
“No! ”
Imogen’s eyes shot open at the sound. Thunder gently rumbled as she looked down at Laudna. Her fists were clenched and her brow was furrowed, with tears starting to collect at the corners of her eyes.
Imogen opened her mind and directed it down into Laudna’s, bracing for the nightmare.
Images flashed through her mind
A long fancy table, two haunting figures at its head.
A weathered town, a tall dead tree at its center.
A woman with wicked blades, charging right for her.
A dagger, a crystal, and a heartbeat that wasn’t from Imogen or Laudna.
The sorceress winced. Laudna had been having this nightmare for a while now, the same scenes playing over and over again. But the world started to shift, and the dream began a new one.
An older woman lay dead on the ground, bearing a striking resemblance to Laudna. Another figure was laid out on a table, their body desecrated and ripped apart. Imogen felt a ping of familiarity in Laudna’s mind while looking at the man.
Then she heard the scream, and saw the guards who were approaching.
Imogen shunted herself out of the dream, bracing Laudna by her shoulders and shaking her.
“Laudna!” She shouted. “Laudna, wake up!”
Lightning crackled across the sky, and Laudna thrashed under her girlfriend’s grip.
“Laudna! ” Imogen cried again, her voice echoing in Laudna’s mind as well. “Laudna, you gotta wake up. I’m right here, and it’s just a dream. She can’t hurt you anymore.”
Thunder crashed outside, and Laudna shot awake. She scurried as far back to the end of the blanket fort as she possibly could, hands clawing at something around her neck. Her eyes flicked around rapidly, unable to process where she was.
“Easy, easy,” Imogen whispered, scooting closer. “You’re alright Laudna, it was just a dream.”
Laudna’s dark eyes eventually found Imogen’s, still wide with terror.
“Imogen?” she asked, voice breaking when she spoke.
“Hi, honey.” Imogen extended a hand, squeezing when Laudna took it.
“Where are we?”
“We’re at home. Our little cottage in the Taloned Heights. The days of runnin’ are over.”
Laudna hastily looked around again before she crumpled into her girlfriend’s embrace. Tears quickly soaked Imogen’s nightshirt, but the sorceress didn’t care.
“I’m right here,” she whispered, gently rubbing circles on Laudna’s back. “I’m not goin’ anywhere.”
The rain picked up as the two sat in the quiet, only broken by the occasional bits of thunder that echoed across the sky. Imogen kept her mind open to hear Laudna’s, the beautiful melody currently full of sharps and flats in all the wrong places. Occasionally she would see flashes of Otohan and the Sun Tree, but Laudna would shake her head and force her thoughts to focus on Imogen instead.
Soon enough, the storm outside and Laudna’s thoughts both calmed, allowing the tension in the room to dissipate. Laudna picked her head up, wiping away her tears and using prestidigitation to clean the stains they left behind.
“Little better?” Imogen whispered, not wanting to break the quiet too much.
Laudna nodded, fidgeting with the hems of her nightgown.
Imogen heard what Laudna wasn’t saying out loud.
That was all years ago… why are they so consistent now- right, I asked HER to help… this is supposed to be the happy ending… fucking Delilah… she’s going to get tired of me needing her every time- no, stop that… could be true though…
Imogen gently cupped Laudna’s cheek in one of her hands, allowing her thoughts to drift into the torrent of the one next to her.
You never left my side after a nightmare, did you? What makes you think I’ll leave you?
Laudna’s attention snapped to Imogen, eyes searching for something before she chuckled and kissed the other woman’s hand.
I should have known you were listening in.
What’s goin’ on honey?
It’s just… Laudna huffed and took Imogen’s hands in hers. “This is supposed to be our happy ending, right? No predathos, no Delilah, no running, yet all I’ve been doing is screaming both of us awake with nightmares about shit I should be over and done with. Why is it all happening now?”
“Well-”
“It’s just not doing either of us any good. We’re both losing sleep, I’m flinching at my own thoughts, what’s the use of it all? I just keep thinking you’re gonna get tired of me ruining this with my-”
“Hey, Laudna, look at me.” Imogen held Laudna’s face in her hands. “Take a breath, you’re not ruinin’ anythin’.”
Laudna leaned into the touch, breathing as instructed.
“We’ve finally had a chance to stop running after what, three years? Of course your brain is just now going to start processing things.”
“It just feels worse than it should.”
“You’ve got 30 years of runnin’, Laud. I’ve only got two.”
Laudna shrugged.
“I overheard you thinkin’ somethin’ about askin’ for her help. Did she make it worse?”
Laudna sighed. “I think she has something to do with it. Years ago, I think when I was just leaving Tal’dorei, I asked if Delilah would help make some memories of my travels… easier to stomach. So, she kept them somewhat locked away. I could still access them whenever, I just didn’t have too many things reminding me at random times. But now that she’s in the soul anchor…”
“You’ve gotta deal with them.”
Laudna nodded. “It’s just all so exhausting. I don’t want to keep waking you up in the middle of the night.” A low beat of thunder rumbled outside as Laudna curled into herself. I’m just scared I’ll ruin this. I’ve done it before.
“Oh, Laudna.” Imogen wrapped her arms around Laudna, holding her close as she gently laid them both back down. “The only way you could possibly ruin this is if you willingly bring Delilah back or break up with me, which I highly doubt you would do.”
Laudna snuggled closer, shaking her head. “No, never!”
“Then you don’t have to worry about that. I know that you’ve got your baggage, Laudna. That’s not gonna scare or push me away.” She nudged Laudna’s chin up so their eyes could meet. “You kept me tethered in the storm, and I’ll do the exact same for you.”
Laudna smiled and buried her face into Imogen’s shoulder once more. “How did I get so lucky?”
Imogen kissed the top of her head. “I could ask myself the same thing.”
The two lay there for a few minutes, enjoying the quiet of each other's company and the dwindling storm outside.
I don’t know how long this… trip down memory lane will last, Laudna eventually whispered over their connection. I’m worried it might be a bit.
I’m more than happy to help you find ways to manage it, if you want, Imogen responded. We could do a dream journal like you did for me.
That sounds like a good idea, Laudna thought with a yawn. But I think I’ve been up enough for one night.
Sleep well, Laudna.
You as well, Imogen.
The storm outside eventually faded, but neither of them noticed. They were tucked away in their little paradise, fast asleep in the comfort of each other’s arms.