Chapter 37
Uldamar nodded as Ro finished telling him about her dream. She’d let Posey and Violet go first, seeing as how they’d had their dreams before hers. She wasn’t sure chronological order mattered, but she didn’t think it could hurt.
She glanced at the door. She’d sent a footman for Gabriel, but he’d yet to appear.
“You all saw the same thing,” Uldamar said. “Long legs, long arms, wide mouth with narrow teeth, and no body?”
They all nodded. Ecclesia, whom he’d invited to sit in, looked aghast.
“This is most disturbing,” he said.
“You should try having the dream,” Posey said, clearly still shaken.
“Indeed,” Uldamar said. He glanced at Ecclesia. “It sounds very much like a sylphnoct.”
She nodded. “Nothing else fits. Unless it’s just a spell that makes them dream of such a thing.”
“Could be,” Uldamar said. “But it’s a powerful spell that gives three women the same vision in one night.”
“True.” Ecclesia frowned. “But how would the sylphnoct have managed it? Three of them? It’s just hard to imagine.”
Ro lifted her hand. “Could one of you explain to us what you’re talking about? And also, you know my gift. Do you think this is something that’s going to come true?”
“My apologies, your highness,” Uldamar said.
“No, it won’t come true. A sylphnoct or dream-walker can only manifest in dreams and that seems to be what the three of you experienced last night.
I’ve never seen one myself, but in books and grimoires they are always described as long-limbed, with wide, toothy mouths.
It is said they have no body because they have no soul. ”
Ro grimaced. “That’s charming. Is this another fae gift, like my prophetic dreams?”
“It’s a fae gift,” he confirmed. “But not in that way. A sylphnoct is a person.”
Ro took a stab at it. “Like an unsynct.”
He nodded. “Yes, exactly like that.”
She leaned forward. “Are we talking strictly Grym? Or can Radiant do this, too?”
“Just Grym, to the best of my knowledge,” he said, looking at Ecclesia as if for verification.
She nodded. “As far as I know, too. The odd bit is that in order for the sylphnoct to access a person’s dreams, they have to have something that belonged to that person.
Something that had at least been in that person’s possession for a brief period.
They put the item under their pillow and sleep with it. ”
Posey uttered a soft curse that got them all to look at her. Ro nodded. She’d had the same thought. Or at least she assumed that’s what had riled Posey up. “The letter.”
Posey nodded. “It’s the only thing the three of us touched. And it was delivered directly to Malveaux.”
“To Queen Beatryce.” Violet looked as if a bitter taste had just filled her mouth. “Now we know she’s as evil as her mother.”
“The apple doesn’t fall far,” Ro said.
“Unless Anyka’s behind this,” Posey said. “It feels much more like something she would do. What if she’s not in as terrible shape as Beatryce let on? What if that’s all just a ruse?”
“Could be,” Violet said. “And if she brought in a new Minister of Magic to replace Nazyr, that person might have this dream-walking skill.”
Ro considered that. “Maybe it is Anyka. Maybe she’s letting Beatryce be the face of things because it allows her to keep to the shadows. For all we know, Beatryce might not have even gotten that letter I sent. We haven’t received a response yet about the invitation to come to Summerton.”
“Your highness,” Uldamar said. “Regardless of who’s behind this, I would venture a guess that last night’s occurrence will not be a solitary event.”
Ro frowned. “You think the three of us will get another visit from Daddy Long-Legs tonight?”
“Highly unlikely,” Ecclesia answered. “I believe you’ll get another visit, but not your aunt or Posey. They probably only had the dream because they touched the paper. I’m sure you were the intended target.”
Uldamar nodded. “I agree with that.”
“What if you’re wrong?” Violet said immediately. “I don’t want to have that dream again. I doubt any of us do.”
The outer door opened and Gabriel rushed into the sitting room. “I’m sorry I was delayed, my lady. I was going over the new guard rotation for the extended royal family. What’s happened?”
With Uldamar’s help, Ro gave him the short version and brought him up to speed.
He remained standing. “This is unacceptable.”
“I agree,” Violet said. “There has to be something we can do.” She looked at Uldamar and Ecclesia. “Or something you two can do.”
“There is,” Uldamar said. “We can’t stop the sylphnoct from entering your dreams again, but we can give you some help if and when it happens.”
Posey shook her head. “I’m just not going to go to sleep.”
“Hang on,” Ro said. “What kind of help?”
“Grym help.” Uldamar looked at Gabriel.
He nodded right away. “Whatever you need.”
Ecclesia touched Uldamar’s sleeve. “It would be better if we had more than one. Assuming you’re talking about a reinforcement ward.”
“I am. We could certainly do two.” Uldamar nodded. “Yes, I like that very much. If they’re willing.” He brought his attention back to Gabriel. “Would Raphaela be able to help?”
“I’m sure of it. Should I send for her?”
“If you’re sending for her,” Ro said. “You might as well bring JT in, too.”
“Oh,” Ecclesia started. “He’s got Grym blood. We could have a third.” Then she shook her head. “No, never mind. He’s too valuable.”
Violet sighed. “What are you talking about? Someone explain.”
“Just a moment,” Uldamar said. “Please, Gabriel, have Raphaela and Prince James join us.”
That took nearly fifteen minutes, but finally, they were all gathered, crammed into Uldamar’s sitting room.
“Okay,” Ro said. “Explain what you want to do.”
“It’s simple, really,” Uldamar said. “Ecclesia and I will create a ward for each of you. That ward will make it possible for Gabriel and Raphaela, if she’s willing—”
“I am,” Raphaela said. “Whatever it is.”
“Very good,” Uldamar said. “That ward will make it possible for her and Gabriel to join you in your dreams, should the sylphnoct appear.”
Raphaela glanced at her father. “This is about a dream-walker?”
He nodded. “Sparrow, Violet, and Posey were all visited by one last night.”
JT frowned. “I take it this wasn’t a good thing.”
Ro gave him and Raphaela a quick update.
JT’s lip curled in disgust. “Those people never give up, do they? Honestly, we should just conquer Malveaux and be done with them.”
Ro understood her son’s anger. She reached up to place her hand over his. “I know. I’m as frustrated as you are.”
“I’m not going to visit Ghylla until this is resolved.”
She appreciated his willingness to stay, but for both their sakes, she hoped the resolution came soon. She spoke to Uldamar next. “What do you need to create these wards?”
“We’ll need a few strands of hair from each of you, your highness. You, Violet, Posey, Gabriel, and Raphaela. Ecclesia and I will braid those strands together so that each of you is connected with Gabriel and Raphaela.”
He gestured with his hands as if braiding. “Then you will each sleep with those braids under your pillows, after we’ve spoken the proper words of reinforcement over them. Should the sylphnoct appear in any of your dreams, you have only to call for Gabriel and Raphaela and they will appear as well.”
“Sounds interesting,” Raphaela said, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. “I’ve never sparred with a dream-walker before. This should be fun.”
Gabriel chuckled, shaking his head. “Fun or otherwise, you may all rest assured that my daughter and I will protect you from this creature.”
“Much appreciated,” Ro said. “Thank you for your willingness. Just one more question, Uldamar. I honestly don’t remember what I had on in the dream last night, but what if Gabriel and Raphaela show up without their swords or daggers?”
“We will take care of that,” Uldamar said.
Ecclesia nodded. “We won’t send them in unarmed. You have my word.”
“Even better,” Raphaela said.
Gabriel nodded. “Is there anything we should know about fighting a creature like this?”
Uldamar clasped his hands in his lap. “It’s a dream, where anything is possible. Even when there is fear to overcome. Imagine yourself being victorious, and you will be.”
Ro sighed. “I wish I’d thought of that last night.”