Page 46 of Nightmare's Dance

I clutched at his shirt, pressing against him, not even trying to hide my embarrassingly needy moan as I opened for him. Nic was a fantastic kisser. Maybe it was a nightmare guy trait because Geraint had always been good at it, too.

Nic tightened his grip, clutching me against his chest, making his own pleased sound as our tongues danced.

I accepted more essence from him while we kissed, as if my body knew what to do with it now, and wanted more. I still didn’t think it was enough to repair two arches, though. One, yes, but not two. Thinking at all was getting difficult and my hands wandered, almost as if of their own volition. While I’d been thinking about shadow essence, I’d unclenched my fists from Nic’s shirt, and now my hands cupped his ass. He couldn’t have minded, because his body solidified under my touch, instead of dissolving into shadow.

Changing my clothing would have been a wasted effort. I was well and truly turned on, my nipples hardening into points as I rubbed against Nic’s chest like a cat in heat.

This time Robby didn’t interrupt us, and we kissed until my head was swimming and I had to pull away with another needy whimper.

I should have felt worse, making out with Nic while Geraint was in danger, and before we’d talked, but it felt so fucking right to be in the Nightmare prince’s arms.

Nic’s eyes were shut, and he’d pulled his bottom lip between his teeth, as if trying to rein back powerful emotions.

“Think you can get us there?” he asked, voice rough.

“Yeah.” My voice was equally husky.

For a wonder, Robby kept his mouth shut. Maybe a small sense of self preservation?

I turned away from Nic and headed for the cabin. The prince and the jester followed. I jiggled the handle just right and pushed open the door.

A layer of dust coated everything in the cabin, and something scurried across the floor. No one had been in here since we’d cleaned this place out as kids, and it showed. Otherwise, it was an exact replica of the cabin in Nightmare, other than the differences in the mirror.

This one wasn’t cracked, however, and I wondered if I might be able to repair both arches with the amount of essence I had. Nic’s mirror probably was shattered though, and I didn’t think I had enough to fix that, as well. Stick with the plan, go to Nightmare Castle. It wasn’t the last place I wanted to go, but it was close.

“You’ve got this, Ember,” Nic said.

“Yeah, okay, what do I do?”

“Since the mirror is unbroken, just call Mary. We’ll tell her where we’re going, and she can direct us. Same as before.”

“Just say her name three times?”

“Yes,” Nic replied. “No candle required.”

I laughed.

“I’ve always wanted to meet the infamous Bloody Mary,” Robby said. “The mirror dweller who typically assisted us folks from the lighter side of Dream was the Lady in White.”

“Isn’t she a ghost?” I was familiar with that legend.

“Yes, but many ghosts, especially those with a great deal of belief behind them, dwell in mirrors when they’re not off haunting mortals. Some even haunt mortals in the mirrors as well.”

“I think I’m looking forward to this tour,” I admitted.

Nic squeezed my shoulder.

“Okay, let’s do this. Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary.” I looked deep into the mirror and held my breath, nervous even though I’d met Mary before.

When I had to take a breath, I frowned and glanced at Nic. “Isn’t she usually here by now?”

“Let me try,” he said and took my place in front of the mirror. When Mary failed to appear after he repeated her name three times, we all shared a concerned glance.

“What happened to Mary?”

“You said she’s the only mirror dweller active, correct?” Robby asked.

“Yes,” Nic replied.

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