Every Breath She Takes Novels & Stories

A moment later, he pressed his nose against my neck and took a deep breath in, breathing in my scent the way he always does. Another sound of pure relief slips past his lips as he exhales. A second later, he pressed his nose firmly against his favorite spot on my neck and took a deep breath, inhaling my scent the way he always does.

Now she stood at the treeline, heart pounding, staring at the faint glow of torches from the great hall. And then she felt it. The pressure in her chest surged, sharp and unbearable, stealing the air from her lungs. Her knees buckled. One hand clawed at her breastbone, as though she could pry away the invisible grip crushing her. She gasped, trembling, her breath coming in shallow, frantic pulls. “Breathe,” she whispered to herself, though every attempt felt like drowning. And then, across the distance — she felt him. A pulse. A tether. Something slamming into her spirit with the force of a storm. The air rushed back into her lungs, cold and sweet, like she’d broken the surface of a deep, da

and that also without a stich of makeup on her face. Coupled with her off-white cardigan and plain blue skirt, she always looked as though she were on her way to an interview in library. We used to think, it was just a phase and she'd soon grow out of it, but she never had. Even though in my entire fifteen year, she hadn't changed at all. The only thing that changed was the size of her clothes and hair.

It really was too noisy. She exhaled, taking a deep dreath and once again exhaled. She can't... breath!

Every time her throat flutters and she steadies because I told her to. “Breathe,” I remind her. “Good. Again.” Her hands stay laced behind her back like she promised. She takes everything I give her and waits for my next instruction. I talk her through the crest when I feel her struggle, forcing my own breath to even out so she can match it. I’m not letting this turn into wild and thoughtless, not yet. I’m making it deliberate and controlled. She hums low in her chest and it’s almost my undoing.

“I… I don't know. I… I can't breathe. I feel faint. What's wrong with me? What's… what's happening? I… I can't breathe—” “Shit! Shit! Shit.” I felt the bed dip and she pulled me into a hug, my head against her chest. “Follow my breathing method, okay?” I nodded. “Now, shut your eyes. On the count of three, okay?” I nodded again, my chest tight. “One, two, three. Go.” She drew a deep breath and I struggled to copy her. And when she exhaled, I did also. “You're doing amazing,” she said softly. “Now let's keep going.”

Her hair blows in the wind, and for a moment I forget everything else—the King, the whispers, the destiny looming over her head. She hums softly, an absent-minded tune that somehow reminds me of home. “I like this,” she murmurs. “I can breathe here. Even with… everything.” I nod, understanding the weight behind her words without needing to ask. I slide my arm around her shoulders, careful not to startle her. “Then breathe,” I whisper. “Just for today, breathe.”

The sight before me stole the breath from my lungs. What is she doing…?

“You're safe. Just breathe with me, okay?” She inhales, exaggerated and deep, holding my gaze as she does it. Then she exhales, slow and steady. I try to copy her, but my chest is too tight. The air catches in my throat and panic seizes me again but Talia doesn’t let go. “Again. In through your nose.” I drag in a breath, shaky and uneven. “Good,” she soothes. “Now let it out. Slow, Audrey. Just like that.” My breath stutters as I force the air out.