The Dragon Realm (Dark World The Dragon Twins #2) - Michelle Madow Page 0,35

down. “I clearly trusted you enough to let you take me to the entrance of the Angel Trials,” I said. “So are you going to take me there or what?”

“I told you—I need you to stay here for a moment.” He zipped down the steps in a blur before I could argue, leaving me staring in shock at where he’d been standing.

What in the world had just happened between us?

I didn’t have time to think about it, because a bright yellow light started glowing from below. It was like a bomb went off, and I turned away, closed my eyes, and used my arm to shield my face. The light was warm, and it enveloped me completely.

The warmth died down, and I lowered my arm.

“You can come down now!” Rohan called from below.

I hurried down the stairs, into a cave-like room, then froze. Because behind Rohan, a purple vortex swirled on the cave wall.

“A portal,” I said in disbelief. “But what was that yellow light?”

“It was a security measure,” he said. “We can’t just leave the portal down here for anyone to find. As a royal of the Vale, I needed to unlock it for you.”

“Great.” I stared at the portal and took a deep breath in anticipation. I’d teleported all over Earth, but I’d never gone to another realm. “So, we just… go in?”

“The portal goes to an anchor island off of Avalon,” he said. “To Sir Gawain’s Cove. The Angel Trials begin there.”

“So you’re not coming any further.”

“This is where I leave you,” he confirmed, and surprisingly enough, he sounded sad about it. “Once you get to the cove, it’s up to you to figure out how to start the Trials. Good luck, Harper.”

“I’m a witch and a vampire. I don’t need luck,” I said. “But thank you.”

“You’re going to do great.”

He still watched me sadly, like he wanted to say more. And something tugged at my chest, pulling me closer to him.

It was like the Universe didn’t want me to leave.

But I resisted. Because I was here for one reason—to go through that portal and enter the Angel Trials. I didn’t need some guy I’d just met holding me back… no matter how ridiculously gorgeous that guy might be.

What was it about Rohan that was so magnetic? It was like he had a supernatural hold on my heart.

“You’re a gifted vampire,” I realized. “Aren’t you?”

“What makes you say that?”

“Nothing.” My cheeks heated, and I shook the thought away. Because what exactly was I going to say? That he was gifted in the art of seduction?

All it would do was feed his ego. And his ego certainly wasn’t in need of any feeding.

He cocked his head to the side. “You’re blushing.”

“I’m not,” I lied, and I stepped closer to the portal, as if the purple glow could cover my red cheeks. “Bye, Rohan. I’ll put in a good word for you once I get to Avalon. Maybe they’ll reconsider and let you in.”

“I don’t think it works like that,” he said. “Besides, the Vale is my home now. If I had an option, I’d choose to stay here.”

“That makes one of us,” I said, and then I tore my gaze away from his, spun around, and walked through the portal.

23

Harper

I woke up slowly, my head heavy and hazy. I felt drugged, and only half awake, still unable to open my eyes.

From the gentle rocking beneath me, I assumed I was in a boat. I breathed in, surprised to find that the air was damp, like I was surrounded by mist.

Where am I? What happened?

Images and feelings flashed through my mind. A beach, a boat, a trident, rolling hills, a wyvern, some kind of monster I’d slain, a dark forest, a castle, and a tough decision to be made.

As I grew more and more awake, the memories disappeared. They were as impossible to hold onto as the mist in the air surrounding me.

Finally, I was able to open my eyes. Just as expected, I was surrounded by fog.

I sat up—I was in a wooden rowboat—but the fog was so thick that I could barely see a meter in front of me.

Is this it? Am I in Avalon?

I moved to the front of the boat, placed my hands on the sides, and glanced down at the water. It was dark, and it looked cold. I dipped a finger in it, unsurprised to find that it was as icy as it looked. But while I could tell it was cold, the