Page 31 of Nightmare's Dance

Nic’s expression darkened. “Oh, really…”

Ash crossed her arms. “It’s not like the three of you were here. It wasn’t like Geraint just jumped into her bed. He didn’t even agree until she started looking for the next best option. So, chill the fuck out. Also, which one of you did she pretend to marry, anyway?”

“All three of them,” I answered with a groan.

“Well, Nic here clearly isn’t happy about it. So, why are you suddenly feeling possessive?”

Nic took a deep breath, then another, as if trying to not lose his temper. “The other issue with rescuing your knight is that there is only one unbroken arch in all of Nightmare, and that is the one in Nightmare Castle, where Baz currently has control of everything. He may not kill me if he catches me, but it won’t be pleasant. He’s so far ignored the beings under my care, focusing his games and entertainments on those more closely under his sway. If he figures out I’m involved with any of this that could change.”

“Aren’t you all three princes?” Ash pointed out.

“Yes, and somehow Baz seized all the power. It’s complicated and not worth going into. The short answer is, I can likely get back and sneak through the shadows without getting caught. I very much doubt I’ll be able to bring you with me, unless you wish to risk returning to Baz’s tender care.” Nic sounded even angrier, eyes narrowed, jaw clenched when he wasn’t spitting words at me.

I blanched, hugging myself at that thought.

“No? Didn’t think so.”

“Then take me,” Ash said. “We’ll rescue Knight, you can sneak away, and he and I will come home. Then we don’t risk Baz getting his hands on Ember.”

“You can’t come,” Nic said. “You’d become dreambound, never able to leave Dream again. Only dreams can move between the conscious realm and the dream realm. Ember is a fortunate exception, because she is Nightmare’s princess. That she could escape proves it.”

Ash pursed her lips. “And you’re not going to help Ember?”

“No.”

“If she can go back and forth on her own, then she’ll just have to do it without your help.”

I wanted to protest, but I had come to the same conclusion that Ash had, and there was no way I was leaving Geraint behind if I could help it.

Nic shook his head. “I’ll instruct Mary that you are not allowed access. If the opportunity arises to rescue your knight, I will, but it may be many years before it happens.”

“Screw you, Nic,” I gasped out, heart breaking all over again. “If I’m a princess, then she has to do what I say. I’m rescuing my knight and you’re not going to stop me.”

He smirked. “I think you’ll find it’s much more difficult than just declaring that you’re the princess and forcing your way back into Nightmare to rescue your knight.”

I flipped him off and turned my back. “Just leave. Find a fucking mirror and go through it and fucking leave.”

“As you wish, your highness,” Nic snapped and stalked out of the gym.

“Wow,” Ash said once he was gone.

“Yeah,” I agreed. “Can you just give me some time alone? Go make sure Nic finds his way out of here, please. I need a minute to process all this.”

“Okay, Spark.” Ash wrapped me in a tight hug, then left me alone in the gym.

Numbly, I began one of my stretching routines. I needed to get in the air and clear my head.

Nic

Memories

Ember was supposed to be home today. The week she had been gone for a family gathering had seemed like an eternity. We didn’t have the ability to visit her in her dreams yet, so we had to wait until we could see her in person.

Dio popped out from behind the rock he’d hidden behind and chased after Baz. I continued to bounce from shadow to shadow, heading for the cabin with the unguarded arch. Mary liked us. Mary would let us through. The other mirror dwellers weren’t nearly as willing to convey three little princes with thin stories claiming they were granted permission.

My brothers generally made progress toward the forgotten cabin, so I didn’t tell them to hurry. We were all eager to see Ember again. She was so much more colorful and interesting than anything in Nightmare.

We weren’t supposed to wander far from the castle, either. Even though we were the princes, the right type of nightmare would eat us if they caught us.

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