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I gasped, recognizing the name. And, of course, I was immediately aware of the occupants within. “Okay, never mind. I don’t want to be here. This is too much.”
“Milly, being a dream weaver means I have access to every person on earth. And becoming my partner means you will too. It’s something you’re going to have to get used to.” He shrugged. “Besides, it’s not like we have to hang out and watch the queen sleep. I just thought perhaps you’d like to take a stroll through the garden on the east terrace. Or if you’d rather see the moat garden around the round tower, we could do that instead.”
Again dumbfounded, I stood still as a statue, trying to process everything at once.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
I shook my head, my frustration bleeding through. “I’m sorry. I just don’t understand. I thought this was my dream, but you’re saying we’re both somehow inside the queen’s dream instead? How is that possible?”
The Weaver sighed, then, without warning, pulled me through another sliver in space. We emerged back in his hidden forest, and without a word, he stomped through the woods and headed straight for his cabin. Yanking the front door open, he walked inside, leaving it cracked as the only sign I should follow.
Treading lightly, I eased through, clicking it shut behind me. “I’m sorry if I’ve upset you. I’m simply trying to understand.” I leaned back against the door, folding my hands in front of me.
A fire flared to life in the hearth as he flopped down onto the leather couch. “I’m not upset, Milly. I’m just trying to figure out the best way to explain all this to you. Without connecting our magic, it’s… difficult for me to explain what I do. Difficult for you to understand what we can do.”
I moved to sit beside him, reaching for his hand. “It’s okay. How about we call it a night and try again tomorrow?” Maybe things will work better if I’m not tethered to my familiar through my grounding spell, I thought to myself.
“Actually, that’s probably a good idea. And, Milly… you can call me Roarke.”
Roarke.
His name lingered in my mind as I woke back in bed with Mr. Jenkins purring at my side. The abrupt end to my dream reminded me of the last time I was yanked awake without warning, and I knew now that I had been right. The Weaver had kicked me out of my own dream before. At least this time I was expecting it, asked for it even. I needed time to recenter and prepare myself for our next encounter. Especially if I did decide to join my magic with his.
A shiver rolled through me.
Just thinking about it scared me. But as I reached for the grounding connection still in place, I knew it would be okay. Roarke wouldn’t let anything bad happen to me. At least I didn’t think so. As secure and confident as I was in my own magic, this was something far beyond anything I’d ever experienced, and I couldn’t deny that put me on edge.
I snuggled back under the covers, clearing my mind, and cast a sleeping spell to help me relax.
“Calm my mind and bring me sleep. Allow me to drift, but only so deep. Grounded and safe, in my bed I lay. Rested I’ll wake to a brand-new day.”
I closed my eyes, praying our connection was real. But only time would tell.
