Physically they were fine. Tal managed a half-hearted snort of agreement that sent ripples across the surface of his tea. Being rescued by gods was something that seemed to happen to him several times a year these days - unthinkable in his younger years - so that part felt almost normal.
No, it was the rest of it. The darkness, the fear, the memory of helplessness that writhed painfully in his heart, like a worm in an apple.
He felt her shudder against him and Tal leaned a little harder against her shoulder, offering his own warmth and strength even as he found comfort in her presence at his side. If Alys hadn't been there, if it had been just him and Boreal, what would have happened...?
Thoughts he tried to shake away, squeezing his eyes closed and then exhaling sharply over his teacup. "Yeah. Know what y'mean. I've had nightmares b'fore, but none like... like that." It was his turn to shiver. "Like somethin' with claws went diggin' around in my brain an' found what I was most afraid of, specifically. An' then dragged me through it. An' I saw... I thought you an' Boreal were--" He bit the words off, bringing his cup to his lips and taking a swallow of too-hot tea to avoid speaking into existence what he never wanted to experience again.
No, it was the rest of it. The darkness, the fear, the memory of helplessness that writhed painfully in his heart, like a worm in an apple.
He felt her shudder against him and Tal leaned a little harder against her shoulder, offering his own warmth and strength even as he found comfort in her presence at his side. If Alys hadn't been there, if it had been just him and Boreal, what would have happened...?
Thoughts he tried to shake away, squeezing his eyes closed and then exhaling sharply over his teacup. "Yeah. Know what y'mean. I've had nightmares b'fore, but none like... like that." It was his turn to shiver. "Like somethin' with claws went diggin' around in my brain an' found what I was most afraid of, specifically. An' then dragged me through it. An' I saw... I thought you an' Boreal were--" He bit the words off, bringing his cup to his lips and taking a swallow of too-hot tea to avoid speaking into existence what he never wanted to experience again.
