Page 104 of The Sea of Zemira (The Zemiran Chronicles 1)

Nola was trapped in a space he created inside her mind.

“You’re on a pirate ship, but your mind is somewhere else until I release you.”

She felt a sudden chill run through her body. “Is this a dream?”

He nodded slowly, “My magic created this space, but the subject is not of my creation.”

“You’re—you’re in my dream?” she asked.

He nodded again, right as a dragon flew above them, soaring above several white parting clouds.

He smirked. “That is what you dream about? Dragons?”

It was as if she fascinated him. Elijah truly wanted—needed—to know everything about her.

Nola’s eyes burned with anger.

“Very well,” he said, watching the dragon disappear back into the sky as if she had willed the image away.

The siren girl closed her eyes and harnessed all the energy she could muster.

Go away! This is not real!She said to herself.

As her eyes shot open again, he was still there. Even if she wanted to wake, she could not. Elijah had answers to most of her questions and he came to her dreams for a reason. She hesitantly reached out, and as she stroked his cheek, her stomach wrenched. How real it was that he was there in her mind, so real she could feel him. Smell him. After she withdrew her hand from his skin, she felt a cold chill rush over her.

“Are you going to tell me why you’ve sent pirates to capture me?” she asked.

He lifted an eyebrow in amusement as he locked eyes with her. “You have no idea, do you?” he said.

Elijah inched towards her and reached out, placing his hand on her colorful hair. She did not flinch or move from his touch but watched as he ran his fingers through her locks. The prince cocked his head as if he were more curious about her appearance than the reason he had brought her there.

“I’m fascinated by how human you look,” he said. “A siren, yes, but you are no monster, Nola. You dedicate your life to saving the people of Zemira, more so than your own kind.”

His statement caught her off guard.

Why is he telling me this?She thought.

“I seek to fight for all the races, Prince Elijah.” She stepped back. “But what do you fight for?”

He gave her an icy glare as he was not expecting such a direct response.

“I fight for myself,” he replied through gritted teeth.

She gave him a mocking grin. “Not surprised,” she said. “So why do you need me?”

He ran his hand through his hair and took one step back, giving her space. A slow grin pulled at his lips. “Because I want to kill my father,” he said.

Nola’s lips parted. “You—”

“He murdered my brother and my mother.” He pressed his lips together. “Well, he killed both my mothers.”

She shifted uncomfortably, recalling what Lincoln had told her about their mother’s death.

“I’m sorry about your mothers, Prince Elijah; I truly am. But you need to listen to me,” she began, “Your brother—.”

“Do you feel that?” he asked, closing his eyes. “Something is happening outside this realm,” he said. “Out there.” He pointed up.

She turned, watching herself now at the center of Wentworth’s quarters.

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