Page 5 of Queen of Stars and Shadows

An archway of moss-covered stones stands before us, an odd, lonely sentinel between the trees. Beyond it, some ways in the distance, rises a stone lodge. A path of smooth, flat stones leads to a huge wooden doorway on iron hinges. Smoke curls from the chimney in one corner, giving off an herbal scent. A raven cawsfrom a branch above our heads and flies toward the dwelling, diving in through an open window.

“We’ve been announced, it seems,” Owyn says with a chuckle.

Before we reach the threshold, the door opens silently and a curvy woman with short brown hair greets us. “Zara, Asher, thank you for coming.” Her eyebrows lift. “I see you brought reinforcements.”

Our companions look back at us and then to their friend. “Actually, that’s a bit of a story, but they’re new friends,” Zara says. “It’s good to see you, Uitan.”

“Come in, please.” Uitan waves us forward into the sprawling hall beyond, then gestures toward a roaring fire at the opposite end of the cavernous room. “Go, sit. I will get refreshments.”

I follow the others through the high-ceiling room, staring up at the wide oak beams set overhead. Colorful woven rugs cover the stone floor, and several large leather chairs sit in a semi-circle around the hearth that takes up the far wall. Candles in tall iron sconces dot the space.

Uitan disappears off to the right, which appears to be where the kitchen, library, and a sitting room are located, which I catch snatches of as we pass. There’s a small doorway on the left side of the great room which I imagine leads to the bedrooms. The raven that announced us sits on the back of a tall wooden chair up against the wall, its blue-black feathers gleaming in the light from the flames. It lets out a low chirp as we pass.

I’ve barely settled myself into one of the chairs, next to Owyn and across from Zara and Asher, when Uitan reenters the room, carrying a wooden tray with ceramic mugs and two tall pitchers, one metal, one stone. She sets them down on a low table between the chairs.

“Water and hot tea,” she says, pointing to each of the pitchers. “Help yourself. I know you’ve journeyed far.”

Owyn and I exchange a glance. She has no idea howveryfar…

While Zara goes for the stone pitcher with tea, Owyn takes the metal one and pours each of us a glass. I drink thirstily, the cool water a balm to both my throat and my nerves.

“Where is Harken?” Asher asks. I notice he’s the only one who doesn’t take a drink. I take in his pale skin and dark hair, and the memory of him consuming the energy of the nightmares flashes through my head, making me shiver. Is that all he sustains himself on?

Uitan, who has taken the last seat at the apex of the semi-circle, frowns, her whole face darkening. “He went to the nearby town to help the villagers there.”

“To help them with this evil you wrote us about?” Zara asks.

A nod, and another shiver. “There are people missing. Many people.”

My heart goes still. “How many people?”

“At least a dozen, in this area alone,” the woman says. “And I’ve heard rumors from towns further on that there are many more. Even so far as the Amethyst Palace.”

I can’t help the gasp that escapes my lips. When everyone turns my way, I realize I can’t keep my secret any longer. “I… I dreamed of this.”

“You what?” Asher asks, his face furrowed in surprise.

I ignore him, gesturing to Uitan. “Please, finish. What do you know of who—or what—is taking everyone?”

“Nothing,” she responds. “Just that there are often signs of struggle. People taken from their beds at night, mostly.” She looks at Zara and Asher imploringly. “That’s why we summoned you. You helped us once long ago, and we hope that you can do it again.”

I look over at my new friends, curious as to their history and how they came to be the seeming saviors of this realm. They know my story, but I don’t know theirs.

“You seem connected to all of this somehow,” Zara says to me, and I can’t help but notice the tinge of suspicion in her tone. Our alliance is beyond fragile, and I don’t want this to ruin it.

I draw in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I’ve always had special power in dreams,” I explain. “Sometimes I can find people I’m looking for. And I’d been connecting with my friend Lilette that I had to leave here when I went to Valaron. I dreamed of her several times, but this last time… she was gone. And not just her, the Amethyst Palace was empty.”

“I wonder…” Zara begins before trailing off. We all go quiet as she seems to turn something over in her mind. Her purple eyes find mine. “It’s too great a coincidence that the rift brought you back to Eldare, so close to your missing friend.”

“As Queen of Nightmares, your power clearly showed you what was happening here,” Asher adds. “Perhaps somehow your desire to help your friend brought you here.”

I shake my head. “But I didn’t open the rift. I only widened it to escape.”

“They could be on to something,” Owyn says. “As Queen, your magic is tied inexplicably to the nightmares, and to all of Valaron. Maybe, somehow, the magic tapped into your desires, even if Avonia was the one who wielded it.”

My head spins. Could it really be possible that the conflict in my heart, my need to save my friend, had opened a passage to another world?

“Whatever the case, you are here now,” Uitan says. “You can find those that are missing. Bring them back.”

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