Page 30 of Crown of Slumber

Aurelia wrung her hands together and chewed on her lower lip, her gaze fixed on the emerald spires of her castle. “I wish we had more time. I don’t like leaving everyone… like that.”

I thought of the stable hand and various servants I’d seen lying prone on the ground, dozing blissfully. Aurelia’s family were likely in the same position. If I were her, I’d want to hide them just in case invaders came in my absence.

She drew in a breath and faced me, her chin lifted and her eyes hard with determination. “State your terms.”

I blinked at her abruptness. “Ah. Well…”

She sighed and crossed her arms. “Time is of the essence, Fenn. Tell me what your price is.”

I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling like the biggest bastard in the realm. Clearing my throat, I muttered, “I need one of your dragons.”

Her eyes bulged and she took a step away from me. “I beg your pardon?” Her tone was icy.

I shook my head quickly. “Listen, I have a plan. But first, you need to understand something. We have unseelie tribes surrounding our kingdom’s border. Only light can keep them away, and, as you are well aware, in the Court of Midnight, we do not see much sunlight throughout the day. Only Nightfire can provide enough light to keep us safe. Stardust is one of the substances that keeps the Nightfire burning continuously. But… we are running out of it. And with the Nightfire dying, the tribes are hunting down my people.”

My words came out in a rush as I continued, “Apart from stardust and Nightfire, only Dragonfire can produce a strong enoughflame to match it. Please understand that I am not simply here because we want dragons for weapons or entertainment. My people aredying, Aurelia. And this is our only option.”

Aurelia’s eyes had narrowed into slits as I spoke, and her jaw worked back and forth as she assessed me. After a moment, she said, “You said you had a plan.”

“Yes,” I said, encouraged by the fact that she hadn’t outright refused my plea. “The witch mentioned someone who is called the Dream Mage. I’ve heard of her.”

Aurelia’s eyes grew wide. “Her? The Dream Mage is a woman?”

I nodded. “She tried taking over the Court of Twilight a few years ago. I wasn’t there, but I know someone who was. She possesses the same magic, and I guarantee she will help us if we ask.”

“The Court of Twilight,” Aurelia repeated. “The human kingdom?”

“Yes. They rule the eastern part of the Star Court. But it’s not just a human kingdom anymore. It’s populated by fae and humans alike.”

“You want me to travel to the Court of Twilight?” Aurelia asked incredulously.

I shrugged. “It’s on the way to my kingdom. Don’t you need to go there for stardust anyway?”

She frowned. “And that’s your plan?”

“Not entirely,” I hedged, shifting my weight from one foot to the next. Behind Aurelia, Mal perked his head up, eyeing us with curiosity. “Aurelia, if we go to the Star Court, it will arouse suspicion. Especially if we are without any dragons.” She opened her mouth to argue, but I raised a hand. “Let me finish, please. My mother has instructed me to seize your dragons byanymeans necessary. She is willing to declare war on your kingdom to get them. Rest assured that I amnotso willing. But if I return with you and we don’t have dragons, she will go after your kingdom. She won’t believe we are working together, unless…” I hesitated. This was the part of my plan I knew Aurelia would hate. I wasn’t too fond of it myself.

“Unless what?” she asked impatiently. “Out with it, Fenn.”

“Unless we claim we are engaged to be married.”

All I could do was laughin that arrogant prince’s face.

He was insane. He had to be. There was no other explanation.

I laughed and laughed, my voice ringing out in the forest. The other dragons continued to twitch and fidget, and even Mal cocked his head at me in concern.

When I was wiping tears from my eyes, my breathing leveling out, I finally said, “They said you were a rake and a jester, but I never expected a joke likethat.”

Fenn stared at me, his expression flat and unyielding. “It’s not a joke. I’m completely serious.”

I shook my head, refusing to believe he could even entertain the idea. “Then, you’re not a jester, you’re an idiot.” I turned away from him, striding toward Mal. I wasn’t sure what I planned to do, but taking off into the sky seemed like a good idea. Perhaps we could go to the Star Court and extract stardust ourselves.

Fenn tugged on my arm, whirling me to face him. I bared my teeth, prepared to shove my dagger into his gut, but the plea in his eyes stopped me. He released his hold on me, lifting his hand in a placating gesture.

“Just let me explain,” he said, his voice eerily soft. “Please.”

My nostrils flared, but I offered him one stiff nod.

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