Page 89 of Vale of Dreams

I land hard on the cold, rocky earth of Avalon. I look around me to find the ring stones standing tall, washed in the first milky rays of morning light. The bodies made it through the portal with me.

From a distance, soft, deep laughter ripples across the garden. Gripping my slashed side, I look up to see Mordred stalking closer, his dark cloak flowing behind him. “Did you bring me something daughter? A gift. Like a cat brings a dead mouse to its owners. How sweet.”

“I had to get rid of them,” I say, still catching my breath.

“You’re hurt,” he says. “Let me help you."

“Do you have healing magic?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “That I don’t, I’m afraid.”

“Needle and thread?”

“Might take me a while to find them.”

I glance across at the ruined castle. “Never mind. I need you to get rid of the bodies. Can you do that?”

A dark smile curls his lips. “I do remember a look in your eyes, condemning me for killing all those people in Lothian Tower. But truly, my daughter, you do take after me. I am delighted to find you just as ruthless.”

My throat tightens. “Just get rid of the corpses.”

And with that, I plunge back into the fortress of my enemies.

CHAPTER 32

Istagger up the stairs, gripping my side. Under my cloak, I press my hand against the slash in my waist to try to staunch the bleeding. Walking around isn’t helping to stop the flow. While the fabric of my cloak is mostly soaking up the blood, I’m not sure how well I can mask the agony on my face or the panic of so much blood loss.

When I finally reach my hallway, the morning light is pouring in through the windows. I don’t want anyone stumbling out in the halls to find me dragging myself to my room, half-dead.

As I get closer to my door, I see Aisling carrying a tray of breakfast to my door. My jaw tightens. I’m going to have to mask this pain, to pretend everything is fine. And you know what? I learned how to do that well growing up: smile and pretend everything is great, even if the world is burning down. When the police show up, you smile and say Mom just has a fever; she’ll be better soon.

Aisling turns to see me as I get closer and smiles brightly. “Oh, thank the gods you’re back. I was so worried about you. Did you ask the soldiers to accompany you? It doesn’t seem like you did. It’s really not a good idea, Nia, traveling on your own. I’d never let my daughter run around the countryside alone. I was really hoping you’d be back. I brought you fruit and cheese. Did you want it here or the balcony?”

I feel nauseous, dizzy, but I smile at her, and I say, “Everything’s fine. I just wanted to go home for a little bit to see my dad. He’s doing great.”

As I get closer, she frowns at me, clutching the breakfast tray. “Are you feeling all right?”

Fuck. “It’s just a fever. I’ll be better soon.”

“Oh, of course. Well, I’ll get you a healing brew for the fever.”

My mouth is dry, and my vision is starting to go dark. “I ripped my dress.”

Her eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “Not to worry. I’ll fix it for you.”

I hold up a hand. “No, I have nothing to do today, nothing at all. I really love mending. Especially when I’m not feeling well. Can you please just find me a needle and thread? Give me something to do while I’ve got a fever.”

“It’s really my job, my lady.”

I shake my head. “You won’t be out of work anytime soon, I promise. I just need a little sewing kit to pass the time today.” It comes out almost pleading.

“All right, then.” With her elbow, she opens the door to my room and sets the tray of breakfast on my desk. I drop onto the bed, holding my cloak around me. For some reason, my teeth are chattering.

“You really are in rough shape, aren’t you? Poor thing.” She tuts. “I want you to spend the day resting. I’ll bring you some tea.”

“And the needle and thread.”

I’m sweating and shaking as I drag the needle through my skin. My teeth are clenched hard, the entirety of my world narrowed to this one gash, to the needle going in and out. I’m sitting on the bathroom floor because the blood will be easier to clean up. My body feels hot and cold at the same time as I plunge the needle into my flesh again.

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