Page 143 of Crown of Slumber

“Oh gods,” I whispered. “Mal!”

Within seconds, I had fled from the tea room to throw my arms around my dragon, clinging to him tightly in the hallway. He nuzzled my shoulder, his body rumbling as he purred and wrapped his wings around me as if in a loving embrace. Tears rolled down my cheeks, and his familiar earthy and ember scent filled me with memories of home and flight and the open sky.

Home.

My body jerked as if pulled in motion, though I remained rooted to the spot. Awareness burst in my mind with searing intensity, and suddenly I remembered. Not just the life of Aurora Briarcliffe Gaelania, butmy life—the life of Aurelia Perdis, Princess of the Summer Court.

The sleeping curse.

My bargain with Fenn.

Our journey through the Autumn Court.

His lips on mine, his hands roaming my body.

The Mistwood Hills.

The ogre attack.

The Midnight Court and the Nightfire fete and?—

I glanced up at the man, who had followed me to the hall. But he wasn’t just a man. He was Prince Fennick of the Midnight Court. The man I had fallen in love with.

And the man who had betrayed me.

“You!” I roared, jumping to my feet and baring my teeth at him. “You have some nerve coming here, you bastard. Get out of my castle!”

“I can’t do that, Aurelia. I have to bring you back, or you’ll die.” His eyes were full of pain.

“I don’t believe you!” I shouted in his face. “You’ve done nothing but deceive me from the start. I’m done with you. Come on, Mal, let’s go for a ride.”

I stormed down the hallway with Mal at my side. I didn’t bother looking back to see if Fenn followed us. Part of me hoped he didn’t.

But another much smaller part of me hoped he did.

When we rounded the corner, Mal nudged my hand with his snout. My steps faltered, and I cast him a questioning look. “What?”

Mal jerked his head back toward where we’d come.

I scoffed. “I’m not speaking with him.”

Mal’s ear twitched. Then both ears folded backward.

He was scared. And my brave dragon wasn’t easily scared.

I took a shaky breath. “Mal, I can’t trust him.”

Mal huffed as if in agreement, and I found myself smiling.

“Do you believe he’s here to help me?” I asked quietly.

Slowly, Mal inclined his head in agreement.

“So, you’re saying I should trust him?” My tone was full of doubt.

Mal’s ears perked up, and he tilted his head to the side, letting his tongue loll out. I laughed, interpreting his response as,Maybe. Maybe not. It’s up to you.

With a sigh, I turned back to the tea room. “Fine. I’ll speak to him. But don’t go far, just in case I need you to bite his head off for me.”

---