Page 97 of Vale of Dreams

I stand and stride back to the castle, glancing at the ley portal as I walk. Maybe I should run back to my world.

Although my heart is hammering as fast as ever, I keep my pace steady. If anyone’s watching me from their windows, I want them to think I’m simply out for an evening stroll. I reach the southern tower closest to the ley portal and look around. A cold wind whips over me as I scan the wintry landscape.

My breath shallows as I stare across the courtyard at the willow tree.

I should be patient. I’ll give it one or two more days before I break out of here.

I whirl to hurry back to my room, but as I turn, ice frosts my veins.

Talan stalks toward me, his black cloak trailing behind him under the claret sheen of the moonlight. His eyes are fixed on me, and the air around him is dark, his pace determined. Has he figured out who the spy is?

Instinctively, I take a step back and catch myself. I can’t act scared. Visible fear will be the author of my death sentence.

Though my heart hammers, I manage a smile as he prowls closer. If I can’t keep calm, he’ll be suspicious.

“Nia.” There’s an edge to his low, silky voice. “You need to get inside.”

“Why the rush?” I ask serenely. “It’s a beautiful night. I just needed some air.”

“I should have realized you’d mind control the guards. But I did warn you in the note that you are in danger. And it’s worse now. My informants reported that someone has smuggled iron into the fortress. A large amount, in fact. We both need to get inside. Quickly.”

Iron?

“I don’t understand. Why would anyone smuggle iron here?”

“To kill someone,” Talan says sharply. “We assume it’s some sort of iron weapon. We don’t know who the target is yet, but considering someone tried to kill you last week, I’d say you could be high on the list. Being my mistress has made you enemies.”

I swallow hard. Is it the work of Arwenna or the assassin from Avalon Tower, sent with iron intended for Talan and his father?

“Let’s go.” He grips my hand firmly and turns to lead me back to my room. I follow along, my gaze trailing up at the towering palace.

And that’s when I see her, a vision of white in the tower.

Arwenna.

She’s standing with a crossbow in her hands. Time slows, and the wind whips at her silver hair.

I gasp as she lets loose an arrow and try to move out of the way, but I already know I’m too late.

As I brace for the fatal blow, Talan slams into me. I tumble into the snow, my teeth snapping together with a jolt. I roll to my back, looking up at the window for the next arrow, but Arwenna is already gone.

I gasp for breath, my thoughts crystallizing.

Turning, I see Talan lying on his back, gripping the arrow shaft. It juts from his chest, just above his heart. Impossibly, it looks like he managed to grab the deadly bolt in mid-flight.

“Thank you,” I whisper.

His eyes flutter, and I realize that he didn’t manage to stop the bolt entirely. The tip is embedded in his chest. I scramble over to him. From the corner of my eye, I notice blue-jacketed soldiers running our way, too late to protect us.

“Is it deep?” I ask.

“No,” he whispers, “but it’s fucking iron.”

He yanks the bolt out, and blood drips from the point.

As I stare at the crimson tip, I notice the metallic sheen underneath.

He drops the bolt and clenches his jaw. His lips are already turning a faint shade of blue.

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