Page 105 of Crown of Slumber

The air rippled with the power of their names, and I swallowed hard. Though the witches regarded us with a stoic calmness, every nerve in my body told me we were in grave danger.

“Again, we thank you forintervening,” Aurelia said, sneering at the word. “But please either tell us why you are here, or let us pass.”

A deadly silence followed. My arms began to tremble. I couldn’t tear my eyes from the three witches as I waited for them to lash out, to obliterate us all. It would be quick and easy. Of that I was certain.

At long last, the white-haired witch—Sapphire—stepped forward, drawing something from the folds of her cloak. I almostlunged for Aurelia, certain the witch was about to stab her with a poisoned blade.

But she only withdrew a small, glass vial. It was tinted lavender, the same shade as the witches’ eyes, and it was completely empty.

“When you start to remember, shatter this,” the witch said softly, pressing the vial into Aurelia’s hands. “We will come.”

Aurelia frowned, but she took the glass, inspecting it thoughtfully. Before any of us could react, another blinding flash of light illuminated the cave, and then the witches were gone.

When you start to remember…What the hell did that mean?

I looked at Aurelia, who was still running her finger along the hard edges of the glass vial, her expression contemplative.

“Aurelia?” I asked, gently gripping her elbow.

She looked up at me, her blue eyes wild with a riot of emotions—anger, confusion, and pain. I wondered what she was thinking. What burdensome thoughts filled her mind right now?

Did she know what those witches were talking about?

After a long moment, she shuddered, then swayed. I caught her by the shoulders before she fainted, then realized just how much blood was flowing from her wounds.

Stars above, it was a miracle she hadn’t lost consciousness already.

I quickly shed my cloak and wrapped it around her before hoisting her into my arms. My body screamed in protest, but I ignored it, cradling her against my chest.

“Don’t worry,” I whispered, pressing a kiss to the top of her matted hair. “I’ll get you to safety. The Court of Twilight isn’t far from here. Mal can fly us there.”

Mal grunted his agreement, and together, we left the godsforsaken room where the ogres had almost sacrificed the woman I loved. We made our way down the passageway and climbed the winding steps that led to the trapdoor. Our steps were slower than before; carrying Aurelia’s weight while enduring my own injuries made me see stars, and there were moments when I thought I would topple down the staircase. But Mal was at my back, his head nudging me forward.

When we reached the top, I threw open the trapdoor and gasped, breathing in the familiar midnight spruce scent of theforest. I gently set Aurelia on the forest floor before climbing out after her.

I meant to kneel by her side, to tend to the most pressing of her wounds, but I froze at the sight that awaited us.

A squadron of my mother’s soldiers stood before us, weapons drawn. In front was a man I recognized: Gorrick, my guard captain. He removed his helmet and bowed low.

“Welcome home, Your Highness. The queen has sent us to escort you to the palace.”

I gaped at the men standing before me. Never before had I led soldiers into this forest. It was suicide. Yet here they stood, ready to protect us, ready to guide us home.

A mixture of confusion and gratitude swelled in my chest.

“Gorrick,” I said breathlessly, stepping forward to clasp his hand in mine. “Stars above, it’s good to see you. We are in desperate need of assistance.”

“There are horses waiting for you just outside the forest,” Gorrick said. “Come, I can lead you there.”

My grip tightened on his arm, stopping him. “We—We intend to visit the Twilight Court first.”

Gorrick frowned, then looked me over, no doubt taking in my thin shirtsleeves, stained and torn, and my extensive injuries. “Sire, you are in no shape to make such a visit.”

“The matter is quite urgent.” Ihadto see King Marek. The fate of Aurelia’s kingdom was at stake. If I could only get a word with Queen Adira, then I could find out where the Dream Mage was.

Gorrick’s face twisted in an apologetic grimace. “I am sorry, sire. But my orders come directly from the queen. I am sure that once your injuries are tended to, you will be able to make your visit.”

I closed my eyes in frustration. Mother outranked me, so Gorrick would be disobeying a direct order from his queen by catering to my request. Damn it all. I scrubbed a hand down my face and sighed. “Very well. Do you have a healer with you?”

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