Page 36 of Crown of Slumber

Mal grumbled his assent and dipped lower, his claws brushing against the tallest tree branches. Jorey followed his lead. Fenn was rigid in his saddle, his face pale, but he said nothing as the dragons descended.

Mal weaved expertly between trees. Even before he landed, the sounds of rushing water surrounded us, reminding me of past summers and simpler times.

Before Mal had finished landing, I was already unbuckling the saddle and dismounting. Beside me, Jorey slammed into the earth, the waterfall’s roar masking the sound of the impact. Fenn was staring, wide-eyed at the massive waterfall attached to the mountain. We didn’t have tall, snow-capped mountains like the Winter Court, but we still boasted a few modest mountain ranges. This was one of my favorites—a sprawling expanse of grass-covered peaks with rivers and waterfalls sprinkled throughout. The falls ran into a wide pool that filtered into the Jewel River, which cut directly through the Summer Court.

“What is this place?” Fenn asked, his voice full of awe. His headtilted backward as he took in the full height of the mountain. “I didn’t know your court had mountains.”

“They’re covered in trees, and they’re quite small, so it’s easy to mistake them for large hills,” I said with a shrug. “This is Kellen Falls. I used to come here all the time. I think.”

He shot me an incredulous look. “Youthink?”

I frowned, my brows knitting together. “No. I mean. I don’t know. I don’t have very many memories of my childhood.” When I sensed Fenn looking at me in curiosity, I went on, “I don’t remember it, but my parents told me I had a terrible accident as a child. I almost drowned. It affected my brain, and ever since then, I have trouble accessing some of my long term memories. They are a bit… foggy.”

The gaps in my memory were frustrating, to say the least. My parents speculated that was why my fae magic hadn’t been able to properly manifest itself. Perhaps it never would.

Fenn said nothing, his gaze wistful and somber. Something akin to regret flashed in his eyes. “I’m sorry.”

I dropped my gaze, uncomfortable with his sympathy. “It’s fine.“

Fenn gazed around, his expression turning thoughtful. “It feels… cool. The air is cooler here.”

I smirked, grateful for the subject change. “We’re more than just a kingdom of unbearable, scorching heat, you know.”

He winced, as if he had been thinking exactly that.

I couldn’t blame him. After all, his kingdom—a place of complete and total darkness, lit only by the stars and, apparently, Nightfire—seemed rather miserable, too.

Mal nudged me with his snout, his golden eyes wide with concern.

“I’ll be fine.” I pressed my forehead to his. “Protect the castle. Take care of Kade. We’ll return as soon as we can.”

“They aren’t coming with us?” Fenn asked.

I shook my head. “I can’t risk the goblins finding them, or worse, following them back to the castle. You’ll get Jorey when our bargain is complete. Say your goodbyes now, prince.”

Fenn turned to Jorey, whose ears perked up hopefully. The prince’s mouth turned down in an uncharacteristic frown, hisbrows knitting together. “Well. Goodbye, my silver friend. If all goes well, I’ll see you soon, and you can come home with me.”

Jorey opened his mouth, his tongue lolling out happily. In a swift movement, he licked Fenn’s cheek. Fenn made a retching sound and wiped at his face, but he was laughing, the delight in his eyes betraying him.

I busied myself with the packs attached to Mal’s saddle, trying to ignore the stinging burn behind my eyes. This would be the longest I’d go without Mal. I didn’t often travel outside my kingdom, but when I did, it was only a few days at a time.

This journey to the Star Court would take several days. It would be a miracle if we made it back before Kade had to return to her deep slumber.

Mal nudged my hand with his head again, and I scratched underneath his chin. He grumbled something low and mournful.

I sighed. “I know. But we can do this. You and I are strong.” I placed my hands on either side of his face, then ran a fingertip lightly along the scar that cut through his eye. “Promise me you’ll be careful. Take care of yourself. I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you.”

He cocked his head and let out a soft whine.

I kissed the top of his head. “Enough of that. You have a job to do. We both do.”

He dipped his head with a soft huff, then turned away from me. Tears filled my eyes as I watched him and Jorey take to the skies, their forms vanishing from view.

I wiped my nose, avoiding Fenn’s gaze. Parting from Mal, and reminding myself how he got his scar in the first place, only made me despise the prince even more. It wasn’t his fault, and it wasn’t fair—I knew that—but I couldn’t help but resent him. It had beenhiskingdom that had nearly killed Mal.

And now, I was traveling to that same kingdom in search of a way to save my people.

“So, the goblins,” Fenn said slowly, taking his pack from me and slinging it over his shoulder. “What are we going to do?”

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