Chapter 33
Camryn
Rest is fleeting, as I find myself standing on the edge of the cliff Caelum flew me to earlier in the day. The breeze swirls my hair and the air buzzes with electricity as I gaze out over the inky water.
The swell of the waves stretch toward the sky before crashing into the darkness below. Vibrations echo through my body. Something isn’t right.
My eyes squint to the horizon where the sea and sky collide. There’s a fleck in the distance. Just a smudge in a captivating vista. But its increasing size means it’s advancing—and quickly.
I inhale sharply as I recognize what it is.
A ship. But the vessel isn’t what holds my attention.
It’s the crew of creatures that I couldn’t have imagined in my worst nightmares.
Even from a distance, I can see their wild eyes flicker back and forth while jagged yellow teeth hang from their gaping mouths.
They snarl and claw at the rails as if they’re desperate for salvation.
The entire ship brims with the creatures, except for two figures that are notably different. My eyes fall on the occupants at the bow of the ship.
One appears female and has long black hair with waves that rival those of the ocean. Her eyes pierce the landscape with a violet glow. She’s beautiful, but the look of pure hatred on her face sends shivers racing down my spine.
The male beside her has shoulder-length hair that is so light that I can’t decide if it’s blonde or silver. An obsidian crown twisted with spikes sharp enough to draw blood rests atop his head. There’s only one being it can be—King Caledor. The resemblance to Arc is unmistakable.
He’s returned.
Panic floods my system as the ship trudges into the dark sandy shore below the cliff. The creatures leap over the rails and race toward the unsuspecting realm.
Thick, salty air stings my throat with a sharp inhale. I turn on my heels. I have to find the others. Tell them the king has returned.
But Caelum’s already there, staring wide eyed at the scene unfolding below us. I run, my arms outstretched toward him. But where my fingertips should have met his solid form, only air dances along my skin. Caelum’s mouth drops open as he dissipates into dust and is stolen by the breeze.
A scream tears from my throat, and I jolt, my heart racing. Warm, calloused hands grip my shoulders, and I blink to see Caelum’s face twisted with worry.
“Hey, hey, hey. Breathe, Camryn. Breathe.” The deep timbre of his voice pulls me back to reality.
I sit up and my palms press against the softness of a bed. My bed. Well, my bed in the Northern Shadows, at least.
A bead of sweat slides down my temple. Caelum’s hand drifts from my shoulder to sweep the damp hair from my neck. “You okay, Little Dreamer?” His amber eyes search mine.
I swallow and drop my gaze, realizing I’m still in my gown from last night. At least I’m not naked. I look back up at the winged male watching me intently on the edge of my bed. “Yeah. Just an awful nightmare is all.”
Caelum’s brow relaxes. “That must have been one hell of a nightmare.”
“Yeah, it was.” I shift, folding my legs like a pretzel to allow Caelum more room.
“I was at the cliff you took me to and I’m pretty sure King Caledor was sailing toward me in a ship filled with horrible creatures and a woman.
When it reached shore, I went to find you.
But you were already there, and …” I swallow, thinking about his tortured face dissolving in the breeze.
Caelum’s head dips to command my attention. “And what? What happened?”
I sheepishly lift my gaze. “You just vanished. Gone.” My throat bobs. “It was so real.”
Caelum’s brow furrows, and his lips press into a hard line. “That’s concerning. I should tell Arc.”
The last thing I want is to think about Arc right now. I glance up at the shackles dangling over the bed and shiver.
I lower my gaze to see Caelum watching me. “Why? It was just a dream.”
“Have you had a dream like this before?”
“Not like this. I had a dream when Rory was here, but it was different.” My face scrunches up and I shake my head. “I’ve always been prone to dreams and nightmares. I don’t think it means anything.”
“But you’re in a fae realm now, and dreams can mean powerful magic. I think it’s best to tell Arc and see what he thinks.”
I scowl. “Is he back?”
“No.”
“Then how are you going to tell him? Do you have one of those mirror-talky things?” Mirror-talky thing? Oh my god, Camryn.
Caelum smirks and taps his temple. “Don’t need one, remember?”
“I thought you could only hear thoughts. Can you speak into people’s minds, too?”
He shakes his head. “Arc also has the gift of The Listening. We can read each other’s thoughts and communicate that way. It’s especially useful across long distances.”
I roll my eyes. “Fine, whatever. I just don’t think we should make a big deal about a stupid nightmare.”
I throw back the covers and a familiar pulsing sound draws my attention to the bedside table. I step toward it but a flash of black and red streaks across the room as Caelum snatches up the small mirror.
“Hey! What the hell?!”
He gives me a sheepish grin as he flips open the device.
I lunge at him as he stands and holds the mirror out of reach. I gaze up to see Aurora’s bright and shining face coming into view. “Hello?” she asks.
“Hey there, Fire Fingers!” Caelum says.
“Caelum? What’s going on? Where’s Camryn?”
I stretch onto my tiptoes, leaning against Caelum’s firm form as I reach for the mirror. “Rory, I’m here! This jerk took the mirror from me,” I yell.
Caelum chuckles. “Correction, I took it from the table. You were just too slow.”
“Ugh!” I groan.
Caelum grins at Aurora, who looks utterly dumbstruck at the situation. “Is everything going okay there?” she asks.
“Just peachy,” Caelum replies. “How are the traveling rebels?”
Aurora bites her bottom lip and looks down at me as I claw at the big guy’s arm.
She answers, but keeps her gaze on me. “Everything is good here. We made it to Eldersmoor. We got in late last night. Everyone is pretty tired, but in good spirits, all things considered. There’s been a few travelers who’ve arrived through the portals while we were away.
Clara and Thorn arrived a few days ago and have been working with them to get them acclimated and up to speed on what’s going on.
The rebels have made quite the progress on the camp.
It’s looking like a real army base.” She chuckles nervously.
I guess we’ve reached a point where we either laugh or cry.
Caelum nods. “Looks like you all have it handled.”
Having worn myself out, I stand with my hands on my hips, glaring at him. “Don’t you have something better to do?”
His amused expression slides from his face, and he glances at the ceiling above my bed. “I guess I do.” He turns his attention back to Rory. “Fire Fingers, always a pleasure.”
“Uh huh,” Rory replies.
Caelum turns to me, one corner of his mouth curving up. “Here ya go. I’ll see you at breakfast before training.”
I take the mirror from his hand and scowl at him. “Can’t wait.”
He grins as he retreats from my room, shutting the door behind him.
I gaze down at the mirror in my hand to see Rory smirking at me. “Good morning,” she cheers.
I grumble in response.
“Rough night?” she asks.
“Just a bad dream, that’s all.” I rub my face, trying to rid myself of annoyance. “How are you?”
“As fine as I can be, considering I moved into a rebellion training camp.”
I huff. “Yeah, I can imagine.” My eyes perk up. “About that, don’t we have like fifty years or something until the king returns?”
Aurora scans my blank expression. “That’s the theory. But time moves differently here. Why? Does Arc know something?”
It wouldn’t surprise me if he does, but he sure as hell won’t tell me shit. “No, I don’t think so. He’s not even here. I was just curious. Everything is happening so fast.”
Rory’s brow lifts. “He’s not with you? Where is he?”
I shrug. “Cursed lord business I’m not privy to. Last I heard, he was traveling the Shadows, telling residents about the rebellion. Caelum said not to expect him back for a few days.”
Rory’s lips curl into a devious grin. “How is the jolly big guy? You guys have a sleepover?” She bites her bottom lip.
I roll my eyes but feel my cheeks heat. “Ew, no. He just came in this morning when I was having a bad dream. I guess I was screaming.”
Her amused expression drops. “Okay, now I’m worried. What was the dream about? You haven’t had a bad one in a while, right?”
I sigh. “It’s been a long time. But I think I’m just stressed, you know, what with falling into a fantasy world and being imprisoned for months before finding out I’m part fae and some evil king is bound to return.”
She narrows her eyes at me. “That’s fair. Now I want to hear about the nightmare. Out with it.”
I tell her about the nightmare that roused me from sleep and called the winged male to my room to ensure I wasn’t being murdered. Rory remains silent as I speak. When I’m finished, she can’t hide the troubled look on her face.
“What if this is your fae power?” she whispers.
I arch an eyebrow at her. “It was just a dream, Rory. Like I said, we’ve all been under a lot of stress.”
She chews on her lip. “Mei has prophecies in her dreams.”
I scowl. “I’d be a little disappointed if I got sucked into this magical world, only to have my nightmares become reality.”
“I think it’s worth telling Thorn and the others, just in case it means something.”
“Great.” I slump onto the bed.
“What’s with the attitude? I’m only trying to help.”
I exhale. “I know, and I’m sorry. It’s like my every move and thought is being judged, like I’m some kind of freak.” My fingers skim along the edge of the bedcovers.
Rory’s expression softens. “Cam, I’m sorry. I miss you, and I worry about you being so far away. I want to make sure you’re okay.”
Her expression dissolves my iciness. “I miss you, too. I’m just not used to feeling so helpless.”
Her mouth quirks to the side. “You’re not helpless. You’re as strong and as badass as ever.”
A chuckle escapes my throat at her attempts to stroke my ego. “Yeah, so badass I have to be rescued from my dreams.”
She leans closer to the mirror in her hand. “I wouldn’t think you’d mind that so much. I mean, have you seen Caelum?” Her eyes emphasize everything she poured into her words.
I swallow, heat rising to my cheeks at the thoughts of his large hands on my shoulders. “Yeah, yeah. But it’s not like that.”
She leans away from the mirror. “Uh huh. Have you thought that maybe you need something to de-stress? Something physical and gratifying with a certain winged male? Maybe it will make you feel better.”
My mouth gapes. “Oh my god, Rory! Shhh. He can probably hear you, and that’s only going to fuel his ego! The guy is insufferable.”
She giggles, but raises her brow at me. “I’m just saying.”
I shake my head and pretend like heat isn’t burning through my veins at the thought of him. I squeeze my eyes shut, hoping to dispel the idea before Caelum gets a glimpse in my mind and he bursts through the door at the invitation.
But I can’t shake the image from my mind. Rory’s right, the guy is fucking hot and obviously has experience charming the pants off people. It’s unfair for someone to be that good looking and be so fucking cheery. He’d be less desirable if he was a fucking asshole. I think.
I jolt as a loud thud rumbles through the wall next door. My teeth sink into my lip as it’s followed up with a stream of curses from a familiar deep voice. “I better go,” I tell Rory, as I keep my eye on the door.
She grins. “Okay. I love you, and think about what I said.”
I roll my eyes. “Ugh. I love you, too.”
My gaze stays locked on the bedroom door as I strain my ears for any hint of sound.
After a minute, I expel the air burning my lungs and slither to the wardrobe.
I should really make sure the door is locked to keep out a certain intruder, but I drop my gown from my shoulders and stand bare in front of the armoire mirror.
My hands roam over my thinned flesh. I really need to eat more. I feel sickly and weak as I stare at my reflection. No one would want me like this.
Another crash next door makes me jump.
You’re fucking beautiful, Cam.
I twirl on my heels, scanning the room for the booming voice. My heart races, but there’s no one here. Am I losing my mind?
No, you’re not.
“Caelum?” I whisper, though I’m not sure why.
I’m going to need you to kill those insulting thoughts about yourself unless you want me to come in there and show you just how beautiful I think you are.
Heat blossoms from my core, reminding me I am very much naked right now. What’s going on? Am I reading your mind right now? My heart pounds so loud I can barely hear my own thoughts.
I can’t explain it, but I swear I can feel him grin. Something like that.
My mouth gapes. Oh my god! Get me out of your head. And get out of mine!
His chuckle vibrates through my mind, sending goosebumps across my flesh. You’re the one who came barging into my head, Little Dreamer.
Ugh! I wasn’t thinking about you. I swallow the lie, hoping he won’t catch it.
Right. You weren’t thinking about my hands roaming over that glorious body of yours.
I want to hide in the wardrobe from shame and pure embarrassment, because that is definitely what I was imagining. You’re the only guy around, so of course it was you I imagined. If Arc had been here, it probably would have been him. I scowl.
A deep growl reverberates through my mind. He didn’t like that.
A girl has needs, you know!
Did I shame you for your thoughts? I’d never. And anytime you’d like me to scratch that itch, you know how to reach me. Now get dressed and go eat breakfast. I’ll meet you in the training room when you’re done.
Who knew you could be so commanding? Wait—you’re not having breakfast with me?
Another hint of satisfaction echoes through my mind. Oh, Little Dreamer, you have no idea. And no. I’m tearing down that monstrosity above your bed.
My mouth falls open and heat burns from my core at the thought of him removing the shackled contraption from my room for me. An embarrassing wetness drips down my thigh.
Maybe a cold shower before breakfast.
Another growl vibrates my body. No, leave it.
Heat flushes my cheeks at his acknowledgment of my body’s reaction. GOODBYE, CAELUM! I scream in my head.
When he doesn’t respond, I hesitate, considering the shower.
Instead, I rifle through the wardrobe and pull on thick leather leggings.
I tug on a thin chemise, cover it with a snug tunic and toss a thick sweater over the top.
I braid my hair into a single plait that falls down my back and stuff my stockinged feet into boots.
I unlatch my door and throw it open, stomping down the hall with my chin up.