"Of course, Sire."
Hawke reaches out a hand toward her. He looks back at me. "You're next."
I nod, but my throat suddenly feels too tight to speak. The reality of what we're about to do crashes over me in waves. We're going to confront the queen. Potentially the most dangerous being in all the realms, a woman whose madness drove an entire people from a planet.
And I'm going deliberately toward that voice that's been haunting me. What if going closer makes it worse? What if I can't block her out at all once I'm there?
My hands begin to shake, and I clench them into fists to hide it. Hawke studies my face for a moment longer than necessary, clearly sensing my rising panic through our bond.
"It's going to be okay," he says softly, but I can hear the doubt beneath his reassurance.
I force a smile that feels more like a grimace. "Of course it is,” I say before I watch him disappear beneath the surface of the steaming bathwater.
A few minutes later, she reappears and I step into the bath and take her hand. Such a strange sensation to step into water and not feel it on your skin. Not really.
Instead of the expected wetness, a tingling sensation races across my skin as reality folds around us. We sink beyond the tub. Colors swirl in impossible patterns, blues and greens bleeding into violets and silvers.
Then suddenly, we're standing in knee-deep water in an ornate stone fountain. The night air is cool against my face, scented with special jasmine-looking flowers that bloom only in moonlight.
I take Hawke's waiting hand and step out of the fountain. Water cascades from my clothes, but I barely notice, too focused on the sudden clarity of the queen's voice.
Close... So close now...
The words slither through my mind like ice water down my spine. Her presence feels almost tangible, pressing against my consciousness with renewed vigor.
Hawke pulls me close, studying my face in the silvery moonlight. "Are you okay?"
I try to nod, but the movement feels stiff, mechanical. "She knows we're here," I whisper, my voice barely audible over the gentle splashing of the fountain. "Her voice is... stronger."
His fingers tighten around mine. "What is she saying?"
I swallow hard, reluctant to give voice to the madness in my head. "Just... that we're close."
A ripple disturbs the fountain's surface, drawing our attention. We wait together a few more moments and then Kellan and the siren appear in a swirl of glimmering water.
Kellan steps out of the fountain with a grim expression, his eyes immediately scanning our surroundings for potential threats.
"We'll call when we need return passage," Hawke tells the siren, who bows deeply before melting back into the water like quicksilver, leaving barely a ripple behind.
Hawke leads the way, his hand still clasping mine, while Kellan takes up position behind us, a protective shadow at our backs.
"Are you sure about this?" Kellan asks as we climb the narrow stone steps leading up to the wide bridge.
"No," Hawke and I answer simultaneously.
Once across the bridge, we enter a corridor dimly lit by the soft glow of fae light stones set in iron brackets along the walls.
My heart hammers against my ribs, each beat echoing the queen's voice as it grows louder with every step forward.
Yes... my child… Come…
I flinch at the endearment, but force myself to keep moving. I've come too far to turn back now. Sweat beads along my hairline despite the cool air, and I wipe my palms against my dress, trying to steady the trembling that's started in my fingers.
"Stay close," Hawke says, leading us toward a spiraling staircase that winds upward into darkness.
I reach for his hand, needing his solid presence to anchor me as waves of the queen's manic energy wash over me. Part of me wants to run—back down the stairs, back to the fountain, back home to our bed. But the rational part of my brain knows this won't end until I face her. I take a deep breath, focusing on the warm pressure of Hawke's fingers interlaced with mine.
We ascend in silence, our footsteps echoing against stone worn smooth by centuries of use. With each step, the voice in my head grows stronger, more insistent.
