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“You mustn’t be shy about using your magic,” Galaxy said. “Especially as you’ll always be required to weave in front of your Nightmare partner.”
I willed myself to relax as I wiped my sweaty hands against my skirts.
“Because Weavings are performed while hovering over the sleeping Mortal, floating is a necessary skill for all Weavers,” Galaxy said. “We’ll begin there.”
Despite Angel repeatedly emphasizing its importance, floating had been my biggest struggle from the first day of my training; Iris suspected it was because I’d lived under the law of gravity for so long. Luckily, I managed to lift myself several feet off the ground on my wobbly first try, but I teetered several times before I finally managed to sit cross-legged relatively stilly.
Galaxy scribbled down a note. “Next, the summoning technique.”
After two attempts I summoned his quill. He effortlessly re-summoned it back and used it to jot down more notes. Despite my rough start, I successfully performed all the remaining spells Galaxy requested: recalling my magic in under three seconds, performing a healing spell after pricking my own finger, and using actual dream flowers for the first time to stitch together a portion of the dream blueprint I’d created during the written exam. Before I began, Galaxy explained to me that the Council room was the only place in the Dream World where dreams could be woven; all others had to be created on Earth.
When I’d finished, Galaxy thanked me and glided towards the waiting Council. They talked in low murmurs as they consulted his notes and my written exam, casting occasional glances my way. I fidgeted as I waited for their verdict; though I’d messed up several times, I’d gotten most things right. Would my strengths outweigh my weaknesses and allow me to stay?
The Council’s murmurs finally ceased and Galaxy returned. “It’s obvious you still have much to learn. Your summoning is adequate, your floating mediocre, and you’re quite a slow Weaver. Some of your rough edges center on skills so basic even a Dreamer child could do them.“
I stiffened. His assessment made me fear my performance wouldn’t even qualify me to attend the Academy. I braced myself for the words that would tear me away from the only place I’d ever wanted to call home…but the words didn’t come. I peeked up at Galaxy to find him looking almost…dazed. My gaze flickered towards Darius, who watched him rather intently.
Galaxy hastily blinked and his expression softened. “Despite these flaws in your performance, there was still much to be admired. Your weaving skills—particularly your dream blueprint—are reasonably solid. I’m impressed by how much you’ve managed to learn despite not having attended the Academy, which shows your natural aptitude. Though you have much to learn in your journey in developing your magical abilities, there comes a time when a bird must leave the nest in order to learn how to fly. I believe the next best step is to give you an assignment.”
I bounced on the balls of my feet. “Really? An actual weaving assignment?”
Galaxy looked almost surprised by his own words before a smile lit his eyes. “Enthusiasm and passion are essential qualities of excellent Weavers and are key in creating fantastic dreams. Because you’re not an advanced Weaver, you’ll start with only one Mortal who will require only one dream a night, until your skills are adequate enough for more. There’s much to handle in being a Weaver, but I’m confident that through the many thousands of dreams you’ll create during the course of your Mortal’s life, your skills will develop admirably, and eventually you’ll be able to receive additional assignments.”
My excitement swelled. Already my head brimmed with ideas as I recalled every dream I’d ever stumbled into. I couldn’t wait to begin.
With three clicks of his gold staff, two members of the Council entered, carrying what looked like the top of a bird bath, which they set before me. Galaxy waved his staff and a swirl of his silver dream dust encircled the floating basin, causing the crystal-clear water to glow.
“Touch the Weaving Pool with your magic, and it will reveal your assignment.”
Warmth emanated from the water and caressed my cheeks as I leaned forward. I summoned my powers, pushed them to my fingertip, and shakily touched the water. Violet ripples extended from my touch, causing the water to glow lilac as the ripples formed the image of a rosy-cheeked, newborn baby girl.
“Your Mortal, for whom you’ll be responsible for weaving dreams throughout her entire life,” Galaxy said. “Your assignment begins tonight. I advise having an experienced Dream Weaver help you your first week, after which you may weave on your own.”
I stared at the picture in awe until it faded from the pool. “May I ask who my weaving partner is?”
“That will be determined by the Nightmare Council,” he said. “Whichever Nightmare is assigned will not weave tonight, as a Mortal always experiences a dream their first day on Earth. But beginning tomorrow you’ll weave with your new partner, and only one dream will win. I wish you the best of luck.”
With those words, I was dismissed to begin my new life as a Dream Weaver.
Chapter 13
The tiny newborn slept peacefully in her cradle, nestled in layers of blankets, a protective cocoon to the frosty cold, for during my brief sojourn in the Dream World, winter had fully settled on Earth. A crackling fire popped in the hearth and bathed the baby in amber light, while outside the icicle-shrouded cottage the wind howled and beat against the shutters.
“Isn’t she beautiful?” Angel whispered reverently beside me. “Her name is Maci.”
“Maci.” The name effortlessly rolled off my tongue. I’d seen babies in the village back home, but almost never up close; the villagers hadn’t allowed me near their children for fear I’d put a curse on them. I leaned as close to her as I dared while trying to maintain my precarious balance in the air. She was as dainty as a porcelain doll, her eyelashes nearly see-through against her skin, with a single dainty golden curl dangling across her forehead.
“Mortals are my favorite when they’re young. Not only are they absolutely adorable; they’re also the most fun to weave for.” Angel’s cotton-candy-pink nails flashed in the glowing firelight as she pulled out a spool of glittery thread and a needle, which she held out to me.
My stomach knotted as I hesitantly took them. “Should I really be allowed to weave for someone so young when I’m so inexperienced?”
Angel patted my arm reassuringly. “Every Weaver has a first Mortal. Considering you used to live amongst them, you should have plenty of ideas. It’ll come to you faster than I can eat a jar of jelly stars.”
True, I’d seen hundreds of dreams created by other Weavers, although it would have been better if I’d experienced my own. I stroked the cover of my dream notebook hidden inside my bag, filled to the brim with plagiarized ideas.
My weaving needle was long and cool, about half the size of a knitting needle, and far more daunting than the practice needles I’d been using. Pearl blossoms patterned its sparkle-coated length, which smelled of freesias. I managed a nervous smile. “It’s scented.”
“I knew you’d like that,” Angel said. “Now let’s refresh: what type of thread are we using?”
