Page 29 of Sigils & Spells

As suddenly as the image was conjured up, it evaporates, leaving me confused. It seemed so real, like a memory rather than a figment of my imagination. Shaking my head, I follow Rowan up the grand wooden staircase leading from the entry hall and along a narrow corridor. She pushes open a door at the end and switches on a light.

“This is where you will sleep.”

The room is beautiful. A large, four-poster bed, hung with wispy white muslin drapes dominates the space. It’s decorated in pretty pastel colors, with floral wallpaper and a light blue carpet. Fresh pink roses in a delicate crystal vase sit on an oak dressing table. It’s homely.

“Are you sure I can’t get you a drink?” Rowan asks. “Some warm milk to help you sleep?”

I’m about to tell her not to go to any bother and then I reconsider. Lately, I’ve not been sleeping well and it might be worth trying a hot drink to soothe my mind.

“Actually, that sounds nice.”

Rowan smiles.

“Then why don’t you get yourself ready for bed and I’ll be back with your drink in just a minute.”

Before I can tell her I don’t have my things, Angus appears in the doorway, carrying my battered leather case. It’s a bit old-fashioned but I was drawn to the shabby suitcase when I saw it in the window of a thrift store. I love vintage things. I’ve always had this feeling I was born in the wrong era. My heart lies somewhere in the past.

“Thank you, Angus,” I say as he drops the suitcase on the floor by my feet.

He just grunts in response and leaves. Rowan follows him from the room. While waiting for her to come back, I take a look around. Being nosy, I open the drawers in the large chest and find them empty. There’s a huge wooden wardrobe opposite the bed that has a couple of long, silky dresses in it. Both are a shimmering white. They look like bridal gowns. I wonder what they’re doing there and then realize it’s none of my business.

I push open the door to the left of the wardrobe and find a bathroom. Its floor is white marble. It has one of those tubs with the claw feet and a rolled top. I make a note to enjoy a long soak n there before the weekend is over. Closing the door, I grab my suitcase and lift it up onto the stool at the dressing table. I retrieve my favorite cotton shorts pajamas and change quickly.

As I’m laying my jeans and shirt carefully over the back of an overstuffed armchair in the corner of the room, there’s a soft knock at the door. Rowan comes in with a large mug, which she sets down on the nightstand, and turns back the cover for me to get into bed. It’s a strange thing to do, but as I rest back on the pillows, she tucks me in. I can’t remember the last time someone put me to bed, but it's kind of nice.

“Here.” Rowan hands me the mug. “Drink this.”

Accepting the mug from her, I take a sip. The drink is warm and sweet with a hint of spice. “Is that cinnamon?”

“Something like that.”

“Hmm,” I murmur sleepily. “It’s nice.”

“Drink a little more.” Rowan puts her hand at the bottom of the mug and tilts it toward my lips. I swallow another couple of mouthfuls, before yawning widely.

My eyelids feel heavy. I couldn’t keep them open even if I wanted to. Rowan takes the mug from my hand and I settle down, burrowing deep into the pillows. Mere seconds later, I drift off to sleep.

CHAPTER2

Fionn

Even as Iwatch her sleeping a mere whisper away from me, I can’t quite believe she’s here. Three thousand suns have set since Cait was lost to me, but when the stars align in just twenty-four human hours, she will finally be mine once more. This time, things will be different. I was too lenient with her before. Now, I will place a collar around her throat, binding her to me for eternity.

I long to touch her, to run my hands all over her in real life and not just her dreams. It’s all I can do to resist going to her and declaring my intent to possess her. I like the new form she’s taken. This version of Cait is stunning. She’s tall, pale and willowy, a raven-haired beauty. She’s almost the woman she was before she fled our realm. It kills me that I can’t fuck her yet, but she must remain untouched until the right moment. Then I can do everything with her my depraved mind has imagined. For now, all I can do is torment her dreams.

Before I have the chance to reach out to push my way back into her unconscious thoughts, the great oak doors to my throne room open and Valenna enters. Under normal circumstances, the intrusion would anger me. When I ask not to be disturbed, I expect my subjects to obey. But my faithful huntress has pleased me. I can’t be angry at the woman who’s done what dozens of others before her have failed to do. She found my beloved queen and brought her back within my grasp.

“Sire.” She drops to her knees and presses a kiss to my calfskin boot in a show of deference.

“Valenna.” I take her arms and pull her to her feet as I also get to mine. “You have pleased me greatly.”

“Then you are certain it is her, sire?”

I nod. The frail human she found does indeed possess the essence of my queen.

“You have some doubt, Valenna?”

“No, sire. In my heart, I knew it was her. I recognized my queen’s grace and beauty the moment I laid eyes on her, but we’ve been disappointed so many times before.”

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