Page 106 of Crown of Slumber

“We do. He can tend to you once we leave the forest.”

“And Aurelia as well.” I gestured to the Summer Princess, who was sitting up and watching the interaction with a dazed expression.I was shocked she was still conscious, but it was clear she was fading fast.

Gorrick glanced down at the princess as if just now noticing she was there. “I—Who—” He cleared his throat in uncertainty. “I did not realize you had a traveling companion.”

“Yes. My fiancée.”

Gorrick blanched but quickly masked his surprise. “I—I see. This will be interesting news for the queen indeed.”

I’m sure it will be,I thought bitterly. I had sent word ahead of our visit to break the news to Mother, but I was certain she believed it to be a joke of some kind.

There would be no softening this blow. She would have my head for making this arrangement without her consent or blessing.

But it meant we could have a dragon. Surely, that would be a good enough reason for her.

At the thought of dragons, I glanced around in alarm, scanning the forest for Mal. What would Gorrick and the soldiers do if they found adragonwith us?

But the black dragon was nowhere to be found. He must have noticed the crowd awaiting us and kept himself hidden below the trapdoor.

Smart creature.

With a deep breath, I crouched low and gathered Aurelia into my arms once more. Gorrick immediately stepped forward and said, “Sire, please. Let me carry her.”

“No.” My protest was sharper than I intended. I softened my tone and added, “I will do it. I am well enough.”

Gorrick’s mouth formed a thin line but he made no further objections. His soldiers led the way, marching us out of the wretched forest and toward the safety of my home.

At first,I sat in the tea room with Gigi. She clutched her tea with trembling hands, and dark circles lined her eyes. When I spoke to her, she flinched, then gasped.

“Aurelia! You cannot be here. You must wake up!” She gripped my arm, her fingernails digging into my skin as if trying to awaken me with pain.

I shook my head. “I want to be with you, Gigi.”

Gigi leaned close, her blue eyes wild. “If you want to be with me, you must break this curse.Save us.”

I opened my mouth to speak, but suddenly, the scene changed, and I was standing in the nesting grounds of the Summer Court. Instead of the clan of dragons surrounding me, the forest was empty, save for me and Mal. He looked at me, his brilliant gold eye gleaming while the other remained milky and scarred. Even my dream couldn’t erase that.

“Mal, do you know what’s going on?” I asked.

I only know bits and pieces, Aurelia,his voice resonated in my head.

“How do I do this?” I asked, desperation pulsing through me. “How do I break this curse?”

You must unlock your power.

“You’ve said that before!” I said, growling in frustration. “How do Idothat?”

Mal inched closer to me, his eyes shrewd as he surveyed me.You must remember.

My eyes flew open, my pulse racing. My chest heaved with panicked breaths.

I sat up quickly, my head spinning. In my mind, I was still in that forest with Mal. My stomach coiled in dread as I frantically glanced around the room for him.

But I was alone. Not only that, but I was lying in a strange bed in a place I’d never been before. It was some kind of ornate bedchamber with a plush fur rug, several narrow bookcases, and a warm fire crackling in the hearth opposite the bed. Floor-to-ceiling windows revealed slivers of a starry night sky behind the silver drapes.

The Star Court. Of course. I had no idea what time it was, since this kingdom rarely saw the sun. The thought made me feel strangely alone. I missed the sun. I wrapped my arms around myself as if I could hold the fragile pieces of my soul together.

But I was here, and there was no turning back.

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