The Fae King's Dream (Between Dawn and Dusk #2) - Jamie Schlosser Page 0,32
to stay alive.”
“She’s safer here.”
“She’s a sitting duck here,” he counters, and damn it, he’s right. “No doubt the witches know she’s in Valora. I’m telling you—the Shadowlands would be a good place to start. They have Gia’s protection and it’s not far from here.”
Fucking Gia. She might be my other cousin, but we’ve never been close. From the first time I entered her dreams, I knew there was something off about her. Her head was filled with the desire for power and control. It wasn’t a secret that she wanted the crown, but I never thought she’d go to the lengths she did to try to get it.
After she tried to kill Quinn, I thought Kirian was going to end her for sure. He didn’t, though. He let his sister live, and I thought he was crazy. Still do. Then again, I’ve never had a sibling. I don’t know what it’s like to love a sister or a brother. Or to be betrayed by them.
“Let’s sleep on it tonight. We’ll gather in the morning to devise a plan,” I suggest, trying to buy more time with Whitley.
I want to be with her. In her dreams, that is.
Kirian agrees, and I don’t hesitate to close the door and turn the lock. Hopefully I won’t be disturbed again tonight.
Returning to Whitley’s side, I wrap my arm around her middle and close my eyes. I don’t need anything of hers to enter her mind, because she’s my possession now.
As I drift off, light sparks behind my eyelids, and the first thing I search for is Whitley. She’s on her knees, picking some purple flowers. I’m about to go to her, but shock overtakes my system when I recognize where we are.
The Realm of Dawn and Dusk.
This clearing is aptly named Rainbow Field because of the multicolored wildflowers that grow here. The entire area is bright with petals of all hues.
But how are we here? I’m familiar with this place, but Whitley isn’t.
We’re not far from the ridge where the wedding ceremonies are held. The forest is all around us, and the trees are bursting with white blooms. The warm light from the sky casts a pinkish glow over everything.
“Damon.” Whitley’s happy voice is music to my ears as she stands with a full bouquet in hand. Her eyebrows furrow as she studies my tight face. “What’s wrong?”
“I—don’t know.” I’m confused and a little concerned. “You’ve never been to Valora before today.”
“So?”
“There’s no way you could know about this location, but every single detail is here.”
Even the sky is just right. The half near the Night Realm is dark with some stars showing through, while the opposite side by the Day Realm is bright blue. A clash of light and colors meet in the middle, splitting the sky in two.
“That doesn’t matter. Nothing does.” Whitley lets out a happy giggle as she throws her arms around me. “Because I love you. I love you so much, Damon. I can feel it in my heart. It’s so overwhelming, but I don’t want it to ever stop. I want to be with you forever.”
Forgetting to be worried, I smile down at my mate. Her emotions are infectious. I feel the love she speaks of. I’m complete. As our chests press together, our hearts beat in unison.
I’ve never been happier.
A sound to my left makes me stiffen. We’re not alone. The unmistakable rustle of dried leaves and snapping twigs draws my gaze to the tree line. Shadows make it difficult to see anything beyond the bushes and leaves.
Then there’s movement.
One by one, cloaked figures emerge from the forest.
The coven.
They’re marching our way, their faces hidden by their hoods.
“Damon?” Whitley’s voice shakes with fear as she drops her flowers and grasps my shirt. “It’s the witches, isn’t it?”
“Get behind me.” Stepping in front of her, I reach for my machete.
But it isn’t there. I’m only wearing what I fell asleep in, which only reinforces what I already know—this isn’t real.
I shouldn’t feel threatened by a dream, but something is wrong with this entire situation.
A time skip happens, and suddenly the witches have formed a circle around us.
Damn it. Missing gaps are common in dreams—where things fast-forward, and you don’t know how to you got from point A to point B. It leaves me disoriented and unprepared.
As Whitley clings to my side, I shield her with both arms.
“Baby,” I coo quietly, patting her butt. “Now would be a good time to wake up.”