Page 149 of Ex Somnis

“No.”

“Cool.”

We lie there for another thirty seconds.

“Cool,” she agrees.

I sigh.

“What’s going on in that handsome head of yours?”

I stare at the ceiling for another second, then give up pretending I don’t crave talking to her about it.

“I was trying to dream share with my mom earlier.” I turn my head, and Lennon is already looking at me, cheek pressed into my shoulder.

“Why?”

I look back at the ceiling because it’s easier than looking at her. “I kept thinking about what she said.”

“What part?”

I huff a laugh. “Pick one.”

“Fair.”

“Mostly about being stuck in Jasper’s dreamscape.” I rub a hand over my face. “I wanted to know if it was true. Or if I could see her. Or talk to her. Or…”

Or understand.

“So I tried.”

Lennon pushes herself up on one elbow. “Nev.”

“I’m getting better at it. Going lucid and steering myself somewhere, but Mom’s dreamscape doesn’t work. Jasper’s doesn’t either. It’s like there’s a wall there. I get close, and then I wake up.”

Lennon is fully sitting up now, and the blanket slips down one shoulder. My attention snaps to it.

Unhelpful.

“Nevan.”

I drag my eyes back to her pretty face.

“I know that’s frustrating, but you only started learning this stuff a few nights ago.”

“A week.”

“That’s still basically a few seconds in dream time.”

I frown at her, and she shrugs.

“Yeah, I made that up.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“Did it sound convincing?”

“A little.”