Page 36 of Vale of Dreams

“As a Sentinel, you can shield yourself from his power,” Nivene says. “It’s hard at first, but you’ll get the hang of it. You create a veil in your mind. I can teach you how to do it.”

That’s what Mordred said, too.

Viviane’s eyes blaze. “You told us yourself. He wants to murder all the humans. All the demi-Fey. He’s worse than his father. All the more reason to stay close to him, to stop him if you can. You cannot pass up this opportunity. We can create a cover story for you. By the time he gets to Lauron, you will be a Fey farm girl. Then, you learn all the prince’s secrets, yes? Get him to let his guard down around you, at least for a few days. Figure out his weaknesses. Find a way to get Raphael out. Then we take down the Dream Stalker and his father, and the war is over.”

“You really think Talan the Impaler will let down his guard around me?”

“He must like something about you,” says Nivene. “I couldn’t say what. But if he hated you, you’d be dead by now.”

“I wouldn’t say he liked me. He called me imperious.”

Viviane frowns. “I’ve never thought of you that way.”

I shrug. “I was really angry when I ran into him, and I didn’t care what he thought. I think it’s safe to say I gave him an attitude.”

“Well, maybe your instincts were right. He probably doesn’t encounter someone who gives him attitude very often. Maybe it intrigued him. Maybe that’s what got you this role.”

I stare wordless at them. “You really want me to do this?”

This is insanely dangerous, but we’re desperate. Losing the war. On the brink of Avalon Tower tearing itself apart. And maybe it isn’t the worst idea to have a backup plan that doesn’t involve Mordred.

“It’s a lot to ask, I realize that,” Viviane says. “And if you refuse, I’ll understand?—”

“I won’t understand,” Nivene interrupts. “We all put our lives in danger to fight Auberon. You have the best shot out of any of us.”

“Not the best way to put it, but I see her point,” Viviane says, glaring at Nivene. “Our forces are losing miserably. Raphael is still stuck in enemy territory. The Iron Legion are tearing Avalon Tower apart, and I feel like we’ll be thrown out of here soon. Nia, I can’t see any other way. Can you?”

I swallow. She’s right. But to form an alliance—even fake—with the Dream Stalker? I shiver. He’s like the devil himself. “I’m going to need to bring an inhaler with me, and it will be a risk getting caught with it. Unless you have some magical solution to asthma. Serana will need to glamour me incredibly well.”

Viviane nods. “Well, she’s already done that.”

I clear my throat. “Right.”

“I’ll go with you,” Nivene says. “You won’t be alone.”

Dread skims up my spine. “Let’s do it, then. I’ll become the mistress to the worst person in the world.”

CHAPTER 13

Our boat floats through Avalon’s lake, cool mist wrapping around us. We’re disguised as messengers tonight and armed to the teeth with bows, swords, and leather satchels of supplies.

I’ve been practicing nonstop with the veil in my mind, strengthening it.

What I’m not prepared for is what might happen if Mordred pops out of his palace. Surprise! I’m Nia’s evil partner.

As Nivene and I pull our small boat onto the island’s shore, I’m terrified he’ll jump out to criticize the job Serana did on my glamour, although to my eye, it looks nearly identical to his work.

We step onto the shore, and I adjust my quiver of arrows.

As we climb the winding path toward the castle, the island looks deserted. A few snowflakes drift through the air, twinkling in the moonlight. Right now, the only sound around us is the gentle lapping of the lake’s waves on the rocks and the rush of the wind through ruined castle walls.

I hope that Mordred knows enough to hide tonight.

“This is incredible.” Nivene looks up at the castle towering above us. “Imagine the magic forces that hid this island for so long. We all thought it sank into the lake with Shalott.”

“Still very much here.” I glance at the dark arch where Mordred appeared last time. Nothing yet.

I suppose, with his little spy devices, he knew that I was about to show up with Nivene. But Mordred is still a mystery to me, and I have no idea what he’ll decide to do.

---