Chapter 29
Over the last several days, Ivy has taken the time to teach me how to hold myself in the Veil now that my magic has been consistently growing.
I’m thankful no nausea plagues me anymore when it comes to the Veil, but the more days that pass, the more I feel the power beneath my skin itching to escape.
The magic frequently shifts between the warmth of the sun and the icy temperatures of the mountain, and I often find myself in a whirl of confusion when it surfaces. It’s most likely due to not having magic for the last twenty years, so I’ve just slowly learned to embrace it, even if it feels odd.
“Where’s Rydian?” I ask finally, pushing the thought to Ivy and hoping my tone doesn’t sound too desperate for information.
She quietly walks beside me in the Veil as we inspect one of the castle’s hidden tunnels. Two tight braids cascade down her shoulders, resting on the cloak that barely brushes her ankles.
“King Rydian and Orin are meeting with an informant up north. They’ll be back in a few days,” she says, feeling the stone wall beside us before throwing me a sideways glance. My brows shoot up at the information she willingly gives me. A grin tugs at my lips. I want to test how much she’ll give me.
“Who’s the informant?” I ask, keeping my face forward.
Ivy only chuckles, the sound light and amusing.
“I can’t tell you that. But King Rydian and Orin have been working with the same one for the last three years—the longest an informant has lived in Elderheim.
It’s best if it stays that way.” She wipes her hands, and I let out a defeated huff—it was worth a shot.
It’s dim, leaving us to navigate the dark corridor with nothing but our instinct as our hands graze the cold, dingy walls. So far, we’ve only inspected a few, but she offered to come with me while Rydian and Orin were away. I just assumed it was to keep an eye on me.
I was annoyed at first, only because I had plans to sneak back into the king’s archives while Rydian was gone. Was it risky? Yes, but I know I can do it without getting caught, as I need to put the original map back before Elion notices.
Not to mention, what I saw sitting on Elion’s desk is something my mind—and curiosity—refuses to let go of. I just need to get back in to look at it.
“He seems to be… fond of you,” she says warily.
My eyes narrow on her tone, as if being fond of me isn’t a good thing, but maybe she’s curious. Or perhaps I’m reading into it, as I still don’t completely trust her yet, especially after wanting me to pull army information for them. For whatever reason, it felt wrong at the time.
“I’m sure I’m no different than any other female in Aurelia,” I say, recalling what he said in the stables about someone in Aurelia he liked. As if I have no control over my emotions, an unexpected stab of jealousy shoots through me, leaving my teeth grinding.
After what happened in the cave, he practically spends his time avoiding me. I assumed it was because of his injuries at first. Then two more days went by, leaving me to believe that it’s definitely me that he’s distancing himself from.
Her chuckle infiltrates my mind. “Did he tell you there was someone in Aurelia?”
“Is there not?”
She chuckles again, the sound almost filled with disbelief. “No, definitely not. Not after he got his—”
Her words are suddenly interrupted by the guards echoing through the grates above us, leaving us to halt our walking. A musky dampness hangs in the air, reminding me of a wet cave as we stand in silence for a couple of minutes.
With a few slow breaths, I shoot her a glance when she nods toward the exit, and we quietly walk back to where we came, entering the castle from below. It’s getting late, meaning the guards that do shift changes in the archives are about to arrive at any moment.
Sneaking through the castle has been much easier with the ability to use the Veil, walking the darkened corridors, right past a few lingering guards posted on the corners of his private indoor garden.
We quietly inch ourselves toward the front of the castle—toward the kitchens—careful not to disturb the air as we stride by.
“I think I’m done for the night,” I finally get out, eager to be left alone. “I’m quite tired.”
Not a complete lie, but I’m hoping she doesn’t question it as I quickly shoot a glance toward the king’s archives where the two original guards remain posted. I may have a little time left…
We turn the corner toward my stairwell before she finally answers. “We can pick back up tomorrow.”
“Perfect.” I give her a small grin. “See you tomorrow.”
Within seconds, she disappears, leaving me alone near the door to my stairwell and the door to the commons. A sudden burst of adrenaline shoots through me, sending my pulse to climb to my temples.
Yet for a few seconds, I hesitate, struggling with another decision. I remain in the shadows with an impulsive thought, my instinct pulling me toward the archives. But also a tug urging me to my room—to leave it be.
Then a flicker of light catches my attention, forcing me to shift my gaze to the door that leads to the commons. Someone in the brotherhood must be awake.
I find myself quickly stepping out of the Veil and pulling the sleeping hall door open, the commons brightly lit from the mantel near the back. My feet quietly thud against the stone, but just as I reach the end of the hall, Ezra steps around the corner.
“Ezra.” I exhale, quickly glancing around. “What are you doing awake?”
He’s fully dressed, clad with his fur cloak and thick boots. Clasping the cloak at his collarbone, he gives me a quick scan before throwing me a grin. “I just got back from a mission and couldn’t sleep.”
“I couldn’t sleep either. I was coming in for something to eat. Was there anything left from earlier?” I quickly lie, knowing he’s probably realized I’m fully dressed too, wondering why I’m lurking the halls this late.
“I was actually planning on going to Alvonia for a drink. Want to come? We could get something to eat while we’re there.” He throws out the offer.
I hesitate for a moment as the memory of Elion’s desk flashes across my mind, but Ezra’s warm grin and the way he’s looking down at me makes my resolve waver a fraction. And before I know it, I find myself throwing him a grin.
“Yes,” I say, following him out the door, through my stairwell toward the side of the castle near the rise. “Where was your mission this time?”
“Went to Arcan again. Apparently there’s been more Shadovar sneaking in,” he says, and I stiffen at the word.
I feel my heart race, knowing that I’m one of those Shadovar.
He just doesn’t know. No one here knows, but what would he think of me if he did?
I’m suddenly unsure if it would be something I could tell him at all, and the thought of not being able to causes my chest to ache.
Our boots crunch against the gravel as we exit the rise of the castle, leaving us to raise our hoods to ward off the chill. He flicks his wrist, summoning an orb.
But even as we catch up on missions and walk toward Alvonia beneath the orb that glows above us, I can’t help the way my stomach sinks, knowing I just ruined my plans for sneaking back into the king’s archives.
I’m dreaming.
I know this just by the way I’m looking down at myself, tossing and turning in bed as a cold sweat beads across my forehead. No fire roars in the mantel as the full moon casts pale streaks of light across my face. My brows pinch.
I’m pulled deeper and deeper into the depths of sleep as I watch myself, and it’s odd. I know I’m asleep, yet I can’t seem to wake up.
My body hums, the sensation building and consuming me as tingles slowly spread across my skin like static in the air. The warmth radiates behind my eyes, causing my breath to quicken.
I’m suddenly thrust from my room in a chaotic whirl of movement, my surroundings shifting so fast I can hardly comprehend it. Then I’m standing in a dark, unfamiliar chamber.
The distant sound of wind whirling against the windows sends a shiver down my spine, and within seconds, I know exactly where I’ve ended up. Because I’ve been here before—in my dreams.
My heart pounds against my ribs as a chilling realization washes over me. It’s always the same dream.
Only this time, I’m in the dark castle, as I would recognize it from anywhere, although I’ve never actually been inside. I’ve only ever seen it from a distance—rolling, lush hills, damp air, and a dark ocean nearby.
I’m standing in what looks like a grand bedchamber—a king or queen’s room, perhaps.
“How do you always seem to find me?” Rydian asks.
Why is he here? I groan, rolling my eyes as I face the king of Aurelia.
I haven’t seen or talked to him since Milena’s cottage five days ago.
Not since we were stranded in that cave.
Ivy claimed he needed to meet with an informant, but I feel like it was an excuse to put distance between us after what happened. Our kiss.
Yet finding him in my dreams isn’t all that surprising with how I’ve come to miss his incessant pestering. My head has become unnervingly quiet over the last few days, and for some reason, I find that odd.
His auburn hair grazes his forehead, missing the cloak he typically wears.
He’s in a loose dark green tunic, the long sleeves rolled up to his forearms with a pair of dark pants.
He strides forward, and I realize I really like this view.
Looking down at myself, I’m in the same slip I put on before bed—light in color and loose but still hugging my curves as it sits right below the crease of my thighs.
I scoff. “I didn’t find you. You’re invading my dreams. You just show up at the most inconvenient times.”