Page 135 of Crown of Slumber

My stomach hollowed, and nausea roiled in my gut. It shouldn’t surprise me. Not in the slightest. Of course Sonara was behind all of this. She was likely working with the Dream Mage.

But Fenn had sworn to me he had nothing to do with the sleeping curse. He had sworn with his blood…

Had his mother deceived him? I found it hard to believe he hadn’t suspectedanything.Fenn was many things, but he wasn’t stupid.

“The Dream Mage is a powerful witch,” Sonara went on, continuing to admire the spinning wheel. “She has infused a spell into this needle here.” She gestured to the long, sharp point of the wheel. “If you so desire, you can free your kingdom from the enchantment… if you take their place.”

I froze, my body going utterly still as I processed her words. My eyes flicked over the sharp point of the needle, and my stomach clenched with unease.

“Why?” I demanded. “Why would you offer this?”

“Well, a kingdom is no good without its subjects,” Sonara said. “If I wish to conquer your court, I can’t very well do that if the entire castle staff and army are asleep.”

My blood chilled, and I shook my head. “No. I won’t do it if you’re just going to enslave my people.”

Sonara sighed. “I’m going to conquer your kingdom either way, Aurelia. It would be easier if you made this exchange. But, if you prefer, I can simply kill your sleeping citizens and bring in my own army. The choice is yours.”

My eyes narrowed. “Why don’t you just ask the Dream Mage to end the curse? Surely, that is the easier way.”

Sonara’s lips pinched, forming a tight line. “It is… difficult to negotiate with her. She cannot leave the Dream Realm.”

I scrutinized the irritation creasing her brow, then chuckled, the sound harsh. “She won’t do it, will she? You can’t control her.” I laughed again. “Well, that’s fitting, isn’t it?”

“She wantsyou,” Sonara snapped. “She’s wanted you the whole time. Once she gets what she wants, I can be done with her. But she will not let your people go unless she has you.”

Horror washed over me, making my skin prickle and my hands tremble. “Why does she want me?”

She leveled a flat look at me. “Because you’re the Dragon Queen.”

“And she wants my dragons.”

Sonara sighed impatiently. “Everyone wants your dragons, child.”

I paused, conflict warring within me. “What will happen to my dragons if I agree?”

“Does it matter?” She arched an eyebrow at me. “Which would you choose to save, your kingdom, or your dragons?”

I hated myself for even hesitating. I really did. But my gut wrenched with despair at the thought of my dragons being slaughtered and enslaved.

And yet… my kingdom was more important. They always would be. Even if I didn’t truly belong to the Summer Court. Even if my parents weren’t actually my parents. I still loved them. I loved Gigi. I would wager she didn’t know about any of this deception. She was innocent, and she didn’t deserve this fate. No one in my kingdom did.

I owed it to them to protect them. Even if I couldn’t save them from Sonara, at least I could keep them alive.

After a long moment, I nodded, my throat tight with emotion and my eyes burning. “I’ll do it.” My voice was strained, but full of resolve.

“I knew you would.” Sonara’s smile widened. “All you must do is prick your finger on the spindle and draw your blood. Then, the exchange will be complete.”

I stared at the spinning wheel with a mixture of dread and apprehension. “I need you to swear?—”

“Yes, yes, I swear on my life and my blood that this needle is enchanted to put you in a magical sleep, and those in your kingdom will be freed from the curse once you offer yourself freely.” The queen’s voice was bored, but her words were thorough. I quickly sifted through them, trying to find a loophole or a trick.

Then again, Fenn had already destroyed my life with the way he’d worded his bargain. And I hadn’t suspected a thing. My judgment wasn’t exactly foolproof.

My heart felt like lead in my chest as I stepped forward, wondering why the Dream Mage had used a spinning wheel, of all things.

Perhaps I could ask her. I imagined she was waiting for me in the dream world.

With a deep breath, I extended my hand, pressing my finger into the sharpened point of the needle. It pierced my flesh, drawing blood. A crimson droplet fell to the floor, and I hissed, withdrawing my hand instantly. The room became fuzzy, my vision swimming as I teetered and fell into darkness.

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