Page 74 of Edge of Wonder

My lips pressed against her temple. “Pleasant dreams.”

***

A strange sound woke me. The creak of footsteps or the soft thud of the door. Something was off; the air was tainted with disquiet. Alice was tangled up in my arms, breathing deeply. Her hair spread across the pillow. She barely stirred when I slipped out of bed, tucking the blanket around her shoulders.

Dawn had arrived, leaving the hall in dim shadows. Duchess’ door was closed, but Tristan’s was open and he wasn’t inside the room. I heard the sound again and took the stairs to the first floor, expecting to find him lurking, but he wasn’t there. At the front door, I crept into the early morning light, walking down the short path toward a guard stationed at the corner of the property.

“Have you seen anyone?” I asked, scanning the trees. A gentle breeze fluttered the leaves, and the chill in the air made me question why I’d left Alice lying warm and cozy in our bed.

The guard shook his head. “No. It’s been quiet. Maybe an animal or two, but that’s about it.”

I couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that something was wrong and clapped the man on the shoulder. “I’m going to look around. Shout if you see anything.”

A dirt trail led around the side of the house. I watched my steps for Duchess’ traps. I’d survived two challenges. I wasn’t about to get a spike through the head in the woods. The trail led to a small clearing with rock pillars enclosing the space like an altar.

There it was. The gateway shimmered in the dawning sunrise, emitting a purple iridescent glow. It stretched between two boulders, and low-hanging branches draped leaves around the edges. There was a soft hum in the air, a vibration that spun around the gateway, trying to urge me closer.

But it didn’t have a pull on me any longer. There were pages to be filled here, ghostly accounts to record—a better life than the one I’d left because I was no longer collecting trophies or running away. And just because I wasn’t crossing now, didn’t mean I could never go back. Alice could go with me, and maybe we could knock on my family’s door together, and see if they’d let us through.

I pressed the flat of my palm against the gateway and smiled, but the sound of rushing footsteps made me turn.

Tristan.

Recognition dawned at the same time pain sliced through my side from the blade in his fist. He pulled it out, and I pressed against the wound. Blood seeped around my fingers.

“I was hoping you’d leave, and I wouldn’t have to get my hands dirty. But that’s not the case, is it?”

My head swam, dizziness making the trees blur. A numbness spread through my body; legs threatening to buckle beneath me. Blood dripped to the forest floor, spilling too fast.

Through the haze of my vision, Tristan tossed my bag through the gateway. And all I could think was he’d been in my room while Alice lay sleeping, vulnerable. Black spots seeped into my gaze.

I gulped in air, trying to stay conscious as Tristan grabbed my shoulder and jerked me forward. His voice scraped against my ear.

“Alice is mine, and so are her keys.”

He shoved me toward the gateway. I stumbled, unable to catch myself before I fell.

The purple light engulfed me, and then I plunged into darkness.

Chapter 25

Alice

Morning light filtered in through the window over the bed. I stretched like a cat, a smile curling across my lips. It only dimmed when I realized I was alone. But Sebastian was an early riser, and he was likely letting me sleep in, knowing rest like this came at a premium.

I breathed in his scent from the pillow, my smile returning. It had been an impulsive decision to slip inside his room, but that was the new me. No more sitting on the sidelines when what I wanted was within reach.

I wasn’t even worried that we’d arrived at the Duchess’ and were so close to the gateway. Something had changed between us. Ifeltit. The same way I felt his words in the graveyard.

Silly man, thinking he could fool me into believing my parents were there when they clearly weren’t. But his act had touched my heart. And he’d touched it again last night with the way he’d driven me over the edge, making me believe I was wanted. Needed.

He wasn’t going to leave me. Not now. I had that same certainty I’d had as a ghost. That there was something else out there. All I had to do was wait.

Yes, there was an obstacle with Tristan showing up. But I was sure we’d figure it out. It made sense to team up. Two players working together were better than one. I didn’t even mind sharing the kingdom. Everything Tristan said was true. We needed a new system. Something positive for future generations. The challenges had to go. And just because we worked together didn’t mean I had to marry the man. This wasn’t the dark ages.

I could have everything I ever wanted.

A home, a purpose, and Sebastian.

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