“Tomas,” I whispered, carefully guiding the memories up to the man’s face. “Wake up.”
The memories settled against his features, lighting them with a soft glow. I waited for a long moment before the man suddenly inhaled, blinking and sitting up. The glow faded from his face and he stared at us, fully alert.
“Your Highness?” He shakily stood up to bow, nearly falling before Evander caught him. Then he looked at me, confusion mixing with recognition—as though he remembered our interactions during the cursed dream.
In that moment, a wave of dizziness overcame me. Uncovering memories had always weakened me, but this effort to find a person’s central memories left me feeling completely depleted. I swayed, and Evander turned from steadying Tomas to hold me. Before he could ease me onto the bed, I felt a sudden rush of energy.
Evander clearly felt it as well; he paused, brow furrowed as he looked down to where his arms wrapped around me. A smile lifted the corners of my lips. “It’s your healing ability. With your help, I can wake everyone here.”
He tightened his grip on me. “I can’t have you expending any unnecessary strength.” He winked as he swept me into his arms. We remained in this cozy position a blissful moment before reluctantly pulling away. “Let’s go wake the others.”
Together we visited each slumbering inhabitant of the castle, my powers offering an intimate glimpse of each of Evander’s subjects and their lives one memory at a time. Hours later, we woke the last person and sank down on a settee to rest. Beyond the doors, we could hear movement growing stronger—uneven footsteps, voices rising in quiet confusion, and the distant sound of relieved laughter—signs of life returning. His beloved kingdom.
I looked back at him, my heart full. “We should officially greet them and explain,” I said softly. “They need you.”
The words carried more than duty and expectation, but the future that now belonged to him, to both of us. He studied me for a moment, as though a hint of hesitancy lingered.
Then with a steadying breath he nodded. His hand didn’t release mine, but held it more firmly. Whatever came next, it wouldn’t be faced alone, but together.
Just before we left the chamber, his gaze dropped briefly to my lips, then returned to my eyes. He offered a flirtatious wink, reminiscent of the charm that was integral to his nature, whether dreaming or awake. “This isn’t finished.”
A faint smile touched my lips. “No,” I agreed. “This is only the beginning.”
Together, we moved toward the doors side by side. The quiet of the chamber gave way to the growing sounds beyond to the castle no longer suspended in time, but waking step by step into something new.
And this time, we were a part of it.
EPILOGUE
Ifollowed a trail of memories through the castle, a scavenger hunt of carefully placed clues—just as Evander had done for me in the dream world, often leaving clues in obscure places, most notably the dungeon. Some were found in obvious corners, but most were discovered in the most obscure places. I rolled my eyes fondly, imagining Evander’s smirk as he left them behind. He was trying to best me, and though he often succeeded, this was one round I was determined to win.
The corridors of the palace had become intimately familiar this past year since I started living here. I’d explored every inch to my heart’s content, mostly with Evander, who’d learnt early on which outings made me the happiest during our lengthy courtship.
In order to gain approval from Their Majesties to marry me, Evander had agreed to wait a year, during which he had to prove himself worthy of the throne. The days he’d been known as the carefree prince eventually faded into legend as he fulfilled his duties seriously, finding joy in serving his newly awoken kingdom and helping restore order to the land where neglect and shadow had once reigned.
I found great fulfillment in helping him, both with his royal duties and the royal family’s efforts to rebuild the kingdom after the neglect cast by the curse. Our outings offered a welcome reprieve from princess lessons as I learned my new responsibilities that would come with our marriage. I’d never imagined, when I woke up to a castle calling me “Princess,” that one day I would be voluntarily accepting the role.
I rounded a corner into a familiar corridor containing the guest room I’d lived in during the dream and prior to our marriage. Footsteps that didn’t belong to my beloved husband suddenly sounded. I hastily ducked behind a suit of armor, waiting for them to pass.
While I had been doing my best to live up to my new royal title, I’d already spent long afternoons in meetings and assisting the queen. My fears that she wouldn’t accept a common thief for her son proved unfounded; she was just as motherly to me as she’d been in the dream world. It was surreal, going from a life of being alone to having a family that welcomed me as their own.
I’d initially been hesitant to open my heart to her and the gruff king, but gradually I’d expanded my trust beyond Evander to his parents, then to the servants and courtiers, and now to our subjects. Each time I made room for another person, I was amazed how much my contentment expanded, and just how much trust someone so guarded and reserved had to give. Even without my previous thrill that came from heists and stealing others’ stories, I was happy.
Because now I was creating my own memories, especially ones that included Evander’s determination I had something to pursue…such as today’s quest.
I peered out from behind the suit of armor to check the corridor. As I did, a memory took shape in my mind—not a stranger’s I’d found and stolen with my powers, but my own—waiting with bated breath as I peered into the hallway from theajar door, the clang of metal against stone as Evander created his distraction.
My reminiscences took on a glowy haze as the memory continued in its tender direction, slowing in the alcove where we’d stood in one another’s arms and almost shared our first kiss. My heart gave a pleasant flutter, an urgent reminder to continue the pursuit of my coveted quarry.
The moment the coast was clear, I continued my hunt, drawn by the enchanted lure of the magic that always led me to the perfect object to steal…and this one was greater than any I’d claimed so far.
My heart beat in anticipation the moment I spotted my target, standing on our balcony, aglow with the rosy hues of approaching dusk—such an obvious hiding place it was almost insulting. He stood with his back facing me, peering out over the kingdom with his hands clasped behind his back, a dashing pose that left me momentarily breathless.
I slowed, unable to resist watching him, basking in the warmth enfolding my heart from his presence. I shook my head to dislodge the pleasant but distracting thought. Catch him now, ogle later.
I crept closer…but stilled when I suddenly noticed that he’d disappeared during my momentary lapse in focus. I looked wildly around. I uttered an oath beneath my breath. Where had that attractive and thoroughly aggravating man gone?
I crept closer…but froze as he turned towards me, revealing not my beloved husband but one of his guards with a similar build, wearing Evander’s coat. He laughed at my discomfiture before attempting to school his face, offering a polite bow.
