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Blinking, I fought for air. I gasped and gasped, and gasped again. Dizziness consumed me. What had just happened? The fall must have jolted me awake, but…what had happened to Kalen? My heart raced, and I suddenly felt like I might heave up my dinner. Kalen had slammed into the ground. Maybe if he’d been in control, then everything would be fine, but he hadn’t been.
Could a fae survive a fall like that?
Kalenseemedinvincible. They all did. But fae could die. They were not fully immortal, not like the gods.
“Nellie, I think something terrible just happened,” I whispered to her as tears filled my eyes.
She shoved her finger against my lips.
“And what would that be, my dear betrothed?” Oberon’s slithering voice snaked toward me. I stiffened and turned to find him in the passageway, along with Morgan. They were both watching me intently. I pressed my lips together. How much had they seen? “Have a bad dream?”
My heart pounded. I turned to Morgan. She winced and glanced away.
“Guards!” Oberon called out, holding up a goblet overflowing with a deep crimson wine. “Feed this to my betrothed. If she resists, hold open her jaw and pour it down her throat. She will never dream again.”
“No,” I whispered, despite my every intention of remaining calm and silent in Oberon’s presence. The scars around my heart were rubbed raw, and the thunderous sounds of my dream still echoed in my mind. He couldn’t do this. The dreams were my only escape from this brutal reality, my only hope when faced with a lifetime—anendlesslifetime—stuck by his side. Stuck in this castle. Once we were married, I would never see the sky again unless he let me.
I’d never see the stars again.
Tears dripped down my cheeks. I couldn’t stop them.
Oberon just smiled.
“You have been communicating with the enemy,” he said. “You should be glad I’m not punishing you far worse than this. I just have one question before I put you under.”
The guard opened the door, and Oberon walked inside. He came over to my cot and flicked my cheek. I bit my tongue to stop myself from flinching.
His lavender-scented breath rushed toward me. “What is the Mist King planning?”
“He isn’t planning anything,” I said in a rough voice. “Your barrier is failing all on its own.”
His gaze narrowed.
From the passageway, Morgan cleared her throat. “I know it’s surprising, but she doesn’t know anything. I can scent she’s not lying.”
I kept my gaze on Oberon’s face, despite my curiosity. The last thing I’d expected was for her to speak in my defense.
“Maybe he made it so that she can lie without detection.” Oberon leaned closer and sniffed. “All I smell is mist.”
It took everything within me not to smile.
“That’s impossible,” Morgan countered. “There’s no magic out there that can suppress a mortal’s lie scent. She’s telling the truth. If he does have a plan, she clearly doesn’t know about it.”
“Fine.” Oberon shoved away from my cot, and I allowed my body to relax—just slightly—now that his face was no longer an inch away from mine. “But that changes nothing. I cannot allow my betrothed to communicate withhimany longer. These dreams end now.”
“Wait,” I blurted.
Oberon froze halfway to the open cell door.
“What are you afraid is going to happen?” I asked. “What is it you’re so scared of?”
The king leveled his gaze at me with a predatory stillness. “I am not afraid of anything, least of all you. Enjoy your sleep, my future queen.”
He stepped back out into the corridor, and the guards rushed inside. I wrapped Kalen’s cloak around me, trying to steel myself for what came next. If Oberon forced me to have that valerian wine again, I wouldn’t be able to reach out to Kalen. I didn’t even know if he was all right, and I couldn’t stand the thought of not seeing him when I closed my eyes to dream.
“Oh, and give some to the sister, just in case.” Oberon smiled, nodded to himself, and vanished down the corridor, Morgan in tow.
I watched her and noted the stiffening of her back, visible even beneath her armor. As if she could feel my eyes on her, she cast a quick glance over her shoulder. Sorrow filled her eyes.
