The Bed You Make
Chapter 33, continued

Stefan felt his wife shift restlessly beside him. Such movement was usually the prelude to her unconscious journey to a nocturnal position against his back. Inevitably, an hour or so after Dara fell asleep, she would shift restlessly until her body ended up pressed along the length of him. Once in position, she rarely moved again until she felt Stefan stir in preparation of beginning his day.

Dara's restless shifting became troubled thrashing. Stefan turned on the bedside lamp. "Dara," he rolled over and leaned in close.

"You promised!"

There was such betrayal in Dara's voice. Stefan wondered what promise had been broken and just who had been so dishonorable as to do so.

There was no time for further contemplation. Stefan cursed softly as Dara caught him by surprise and raked her nails across his throat. He levered his body onto hers and wrestled her flailing arms into submission. "Enough!" he said sharply. "You are caught in the midst of a nightmare."

Stefan watched as Dara's gaze grew focused. He saw the moment she became fully awake. "You can get off of me now," Dara said quietly.

Stefan complied. "You were," he explained gently, "caught in the midst of a nightmare. Your movements became quite violent." He lifted his head so that Dara could see the four angry, red grooves left across his neck by her nails.

"I'm sorry." Dara sat up and swung her feet over the edge of the bed. After her initial glance at his injury, she seemed unable to look at him. "Would you like me to get something for you to put on them?"

"I would like you to share your nightmare with me."

"It was just a nightmare."

"One in which a promise made was broken." Stefan saw his wife stiffen. "You said as much in your sleep. Tell me," he gently grasped Dara's arm and forced her to look at him, "just whose betrayal of your trust caused you such distress."

continued