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Thirteen
A cool breeze brushed my skin, and I wondered if I’d shown up in the dreamscape still as naked as I was in bed. Roarke said my clothes partly came from me, so I certainly expected to be covered when I arrived.
Looking down, I thankfully noted the ritual gown hanging from my frame. White panels draped my front and back, cinched by an ornate golden belt. My hair had gone straight, and a headpiece weighed heavy upon my brow. I beamed, happy with my chosen location. I imagined I looked like Anck-Su-Namun from the movie, an Egyptian princess ready to commit to her prince.
Footsteps sounded behind me. Then Roarke’s voice was at my ear. “I never imagined I could be this lucky. You’re a vision, Milly. Are you ready? You are my chosen, but the choice to join me is yours alone.”
I swallowed and turned around. “I’m ready. And I do choose you.”
He took my hands, emotions playing across his face. A twitch in my palm captured my attention. Magic pulsed in my veins, running like a river to where our skin connected, and I gasped. A tiny cosmos burst to life between our palms, encircling our hands as it shimmered and grew. Stars of purple, blue, silver, and green swirled around our fingers, roiling in black shadows as my own magic rose from within. Singing in my blood, my magic flooded every pore, yearning to combine with his.
A rush surged through me, and the tiny cosmos between our hands exploded into a million pieces above our heads. No longer were we in a throne room in Egypt but joined together, entwined, and dancing as spirits among the stars. My heart raced, every nerve electrified. Energy pulsed around me, strengthening me and bringing me to life. This was true power, and now it was a part of me.
“Milly, open your eyes.” Roarke’s deep voice was smooth and calm and seemed to have even more of an effect on me now.
I opened my eyes and smiled, my body urging to be closer to his. We were back in the ancient throne room, and he was dressed again in his black cloak. And now I had one to match.
“It’s official. You are my chosen queen.” He released one hand, spinning me with the other.
I twirled, laughing and, for the first time in my life, feeling as if I truly belonged.
Walking up the corridor, we emerged from beneath the sphinx, its hidden passage secret again as we reset the Dream Stele in place.
“Now what?” I asked, not sure if I should be doing something or what came next.
“Now whenever you fall asleep, you’ll immediately join me here, and our magic will work together to create balance throughout the world.”
I smiled. “You’ve said that before, but what exactly does it mean?”
“If you’re asking whether you have specific tasks to do, then the answer is no. Your presence and our combined magic is all that’s required. We can simply continue exploring the dreamscape together, and the rest will happen automatically.”
Thunder clapped in the distance, yanking my attention to the darkening sky. Lightning-streaked clouds formed on the horizon, churning and swelling with much-needed rain.
“That seems strange. I thought it almost never rained here.”
Roarke took my hand, and in an instant, we were standing atop the largest of the three pyramids, fully surrounded by the building storm. “Giza usually receives less than one inch of rainfall per year, yet here we are, standing atop a natural wonder and witnessing another. It’s this type of balance our magic creates.”
My eyes snapped to his. “Are you saying this is happening in the real world as well?”
Roarke dipped his head, and I wavered on my feet.
I could see why it was dangerous for only one person to hold this much power. And still, I didn’t know if the two of us would be enough. I stared out over the desert, flushed with pride that he’d chosen me.
“Thank you for choosing me to be your partner. Your… queen. I’m truly honored and only hope my magic is powerful enough to bring you the balance you need.”
Roarke turned to me, placing a hand on either side of my face. “Milly, you’re the most powerful witch I’ve ever encountered, and I don’t even think you know it.”
I followed his eyes as they dipped to my lips, my breath catching as he leaned in. His kiss was soft, gentle, and reminded me of the first time I dreamt of kissing him back in my room. Embarrassed, I pulled back.
“I’m sorry. Is this not okay?” he asked.
“No. I mean, yes, it is. I just feel silly. When I first met you, I thought you’d shown up in my room for real, and I imagined kissing you just like this.”
Roarke’s eyes darkened, a sensual smile spreading across his lips. “You didn’t imagine it, Milly. I was there.”
My mouth dropped open, heat flushing my face.
Roarke’s infectious laugh spilled into the sky. “Milly, I’ve waited for you for so long, hoping and praying one day you’d see me in your dreams. By the time you kissed me, I was already in love with you.” He took both my hands in his. “We are meant to be.”
