Page 35 of Nightmare's Dance

He twisted, turning his attention to me for a moment. His deep brown eyes were hard with anger. “No. I don’t require anything.”

“Great.” I bolted for the bathroom, shutting the door behind me, and leaning against it.

When I’d been a child at a friend’s sleepover, I’d learned that if you burned a candle in a dark bathroom and said Bloody Mary’s name three times, she would appear after you put out the light. I’d also learned she’d steal your soul, or maybe your breath, if you didn’t turn the light on fast enough to banish her.

I’d never made it work, but it had left me with a healthy respect for mirrors in darkened rooms. I didn’t usually look into them when it wasn’t light out, but somehow knowing that Bloody Mary was real made it easier, and I looked into the mirror before I turned on the light.

Nothing. Was she watching? Could she only come to mirrors with silver backing? My bathroom mirror was newer, and obviously not backed with silver if Nic couldn’t use it to get home.

Letting out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding, I shook my head and flipped on the light. My eyes looked sunken and shadowed, my hair was a mess, and I felt like I’d aged a million years in the last week. I just wanted things to go back to the way they had been. Geraint and I had been happy. There were no mysterious men in my life, no nightmares, and Geraint hadn’t been imprisoned by one of my childhood friends.

Not having energy for much, I splashed water on my face, brushed my teeth, and went back into my bedroom.

Nic had taken Geraint’s rocking chair and pulled it over next to the bed. My heart clenched, seeing someone else in my knight’s chair. I didn’t make him get up, though. That would be silly.

“You really don’t have to stick around while I try to sleep. I can find you a bedroom or something.”

“I don’t typically sleep at night,” Nic said. “And I would not be surprised if you attract the attention of the more powerful dream creatures that have slipped through to the conscious realm now that you’ve been to Nightmare. I’ll guard your rest.”

“Oh. Thank you.” I wasn’t sure how I felt about having him here, but at least I wouldn’t be alone.

He nodded.

Since he wasn’t leaving, and I didn’t want to sleep in the clothing I was wearing, I dug around in my dresser for something to put on. I didn’t usually wear anything when I shared with Geraint, and this last week was the first time I’d slept alone in ages. I found one of my knight’s longer t-shirts and a pair of short shorts and went back into the bathroom to change.

I was used to showing skin, and I didn’t think about what I wore until I came back in the room and Nic’s expression heated, gaze traveling up my nearly bare legs. Blushing, I cleared my throat and quickly scrambled into bed, throwing the covers over me.

Rolling over onto my side, I turned my back to Nic and tried to get comfortable in the center of my bed.

“I’m really a Nightmare princess?”

“You really are,” he answered.

“Just because we pretended to get married?”

“Nightmare is the essence of imagination and pretend made real.”

“You’re not happy about it?”

Nic chuckled. “No, not really. Dio was ecstatic, excited we’d get to keep you forever. Baz wasn’t upset by the idea. I guess I just assumed we’d choose someone when we were older, and I couldn’t imagine you wanting that either.”

“Well, I have Geraint,” I said a little stubbornly.

“I’m somewhat willing to overlook that,” Nic said. “I’m not sure the others will.”

“Right,” I grumbled. “Kind of not your choice, anyway. My body, my heart, and you three just vanished.”

“We weren’t supposed to be running around the conscious realm and our guardians discovered our recklessness,” Nic answered tightly.

“I take it that didn’t go over well?” I attempted to keep the anger out of my voice.

“No, not at all.” His voice softened in response.

“Sorry about that.” I wasn’t sure why I was apologizing.

“It wasn’t your fault. Really, it was mine. I found the unguarded arch. I convinced Mary to take us through.”

“So, what does that make us?”

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