I stop, daring to stare into the lion’s golden eyes. I vaguely remember my father asking me about dreams . . .
The lion continues prowling menacingly toward me, and I sink to my knees in the sand, bowing before, who I hope, is the sun god—my ancestor?
Warm breath blows across my head, sending more chills skittering down my spine. A soft nudge, and I look up, my heart nearly stopping at the massive creature before me. While I amterrified, a part of me feels safe, which might be completely insane on my part . . .and yet, I remind myself again,this is only a dream. Can he hurt me in a dream?
The lion chuffs, almost as if he can hear the thoughts racing through my head. Wait,can he?If he’s controlling my dream, then of course he can. He’s in my head.
I think the lion snorts in amusement, and I reach out a hand, hesitating before petting his head. He nuzzles my hand, and a feeling of warmth encompasses me.
“Hi,” I murmur. “Can you understand me?”
The lion chuffs again.
“Why am I here?” I ask, wishing he could somehow speak.
The lion nudges me again and motions his head toward the jungle.
“Do you want me to come with you?”
The lion grunts once, and I slowly rise, brushing the sand off my skirts. The visceral nature of the dream is almost shocking; it feels far too real for my comfort.
The lion turns and prowls toward the tree line, and I follow.
Our path is lit by the soft moonlight and twinkling stars, and I mark their position in the sky. I can’t help but wonder where I am and whether or not it’s a real place.
When we finally make it into the jungle, the darkness fills me with a sense of unease.
“Where are you taking me?” I ask, though why I’m talking to a lion who can’t talk back is beyond me.
The lion chuffs what sounds like a laugh again, and I shake my head as he leads me deeper into the woods.
The moonlight barely reaches in through the trees, and my eyes are having trouble adjusting to the dark. The lion comes up alongside me, and I put my hand on his silky back, allowing him to guide me, trying not to trip over roots or get smacked in the face by the low-hanging branches. The trickling sound ofwater gets louder and louder until we finally reach the roar of a waterfall. The lion stops, pointing his nose toward it, and I shiver. The howls of a man in pain reach my ears, and my heart collapses in on itself. The pain is overwhelming, all-consuming.
“Is this where you are? Are you trapped?” I gasp.
A growl comes from the lion, but when I look down, he’s gone. I’m stranded alone on this island, the spray of the waterfall chilling me to my core. The howling cries awaken a deep terror within me, and thenI’mscreaming.
“Raelyn!” A rough voice breaks through the haze of my dream turned nightmare. My arms thrash as I feel hands on me.Why can’t I wake up?
Light sparks, and I blink furiously as I sit up in bed. Concerned stormy eyes peer into mine.
“Raelyn,” Kian repeats, cupping my cheek with his rough hand. “Are you all right? You were screaming.”
I take a deep, shuddering breath and shake my head. “Water,” I rasp. “Please . . .”
Kian drops his hand and rushes out of the room, quickly returning with a glass of water, holding it up to my mouth for me to drink.
I shakily clasp my hands around the glass, and the tepid liquid slides down my throat, bringing with it a little more clarity.
“What happened?” Kian asks. “Was it a nightmare?”
“I dreamed of the lion,” I say with a shudder. “I think you were right . . . It’s him, the sun god.”
Kian blinks in surprise, and all of a sudden, Ireallysee him. He is clad head-to-toe in black leather, and there is blood seeping out of a gash on his forehead. My mouth immediately salivates at the sight and scent of it, but I chastise myself.This is not the time, Rae.
“You’re hurt,” I state.
Kian blinks again, his hand going to his forehead, and he shakes his head. “Just a scratch, love. Nothing for you to worry about.”
