Chapter 35
Camryn
Ifollow my intuition to the library, never once getting lost. I flutter from shelf to shelf, unsure of what exactly I’m looking for.
It isn’t until I reach the back corner of the room that something catches my eye.
It has an unassuming black leather cover that is cracked with the passage of time. But it pulses with a faint gold glow.
I draw it from the shelf, folding myself into a nearby nook.
Flipping it open, the first thing I notice is that it’s in a language I can’t even pretend to understand.
A lot of good this will do me. Thin lines with high arches and looping swirls dance over the pages.
It makes the English language look dull.
I sigh, tempted to close the book and retreat to a hot bath. But I focus back on the page, and I gape as the delicate calligraphy shifts into English. I suck in a breath.
As I stare down at the book, pages begin to flutter furiously, stopping midway on a section titled ‘Dream Weaving.’ My brow furrows and I start to read.
Familiarity rings through my mind as I read about how certain fae were granted powers to foretell the future through dreams. It sounds a lot like what Mei can do. I read on.
My hands tremble and my heart slams to a halt as I read about the highest power of dream weaving—a master sorcerer able to use magic within the dream itself, and not only within one’s own mind.
A dream weaver can enter others’ minds through the subconscious, as well as pull others into their dream and cause physical harm that transcends to the conscious realm.
Those who are masters of dream weaving are called Dreamers.
Why does that sound familiar?
My eyes widen as I recall Caelum’s nickname for me: Little Dreamer.
What the fuck? I yell into my mind. I focus on the winged male who I’m sure can hear my thoughts. What does this mean?! Silence.
I slam the book shut and storm from the library. I don’t need magic to know where he is.
The door to his room is closed but not locked. I barge in, finding the bedroom dim and empty. I’m huffing thanks to the stairs and my lack of regular exercise. When I sense a presence behind me, I twirl to find a large form standing in the doorway of the bathing room.
A winged one.
I catch my breath as my eyes drink in the glistening smooth skin of his chest. I can’t help my gaze from trailing down his abdomen to the ‘V’ that dives beneath a towel wrapped around his waist. My eyes sweep back up his body to meet his waiting grin.
“See something intriguing?” he asks.
I chuck the book at him. Much to my dismay, he catches it before it crashes into his chest. The commotion does little to loosen his towel, unfortunately.
“I’m a fucking dream demon?!” I snarl at him. “And you knew!”
He tucks the book under his arm without glancing at it. “You’re not a demon.”
I scoff. “Oh, I’m sorry. I’m not familiar with fae vernacular. I’m a ‘dream weaver,’ otherwise known as a Dreamer. Is that more accurate?”
He quirks his lips. “More or less.”
“What the hell does that mean?”
He gestures to the bed. I grunt and stomp over to it, slumping onto the mattress that sends his fresh, musky scent into the air. I hold back a moan as I breathe it in.
I watch him lumber to a dresser, secretly wishing the towel drops. I catch myself staring and Caelum chuckles, deep and warm. “If you want to see it, all you gotta do is ask.”
My eyes flash to his as warmth spreads across my cheeks. “What? No. That’s not …”
He turns away from me as he slides open the top drawer. Without warning, the towel drops from his waist and I’m left staring at the most gloriously sculpted ass I’ve ever seen. It’s full and firm and has two mouth-watering dimples … oh my god.
Do you want me to turn around? Caelum’s question tumbles into my mind.
“No!” I exclaim out loud. “Just put some pants on.”
“You barged into my room. I like being naked.”
“Ugh! Please, can you not do this now? I’m frustrated and angry and need to talk about this without being distracted by your nakedness.” I run a hand down my face.
Without another word, he slides his muscular legs through a pair of dark, loose cotton pants. When he turns around, he’s still bare chested, and he raises his arms in mock defeat. “I’m not putting on a shirt, though.”
“Fine.”
He slinks to the bed and climbs over the covers, resting on his side. He props his head up and looks at me. “What do you want to know?” he asks.
I shift my body so I’m facing him, folding my legs like a pretzel. “Everything. First of all, when did you know what I was?”
Caelum’s face turns serious. “I started suspecting it when Mei told me about her dream about you. Your nightmare only confirmed my suspicions. I watched Mei come into her powers and your experience is similar. But your magic is stronger. I can feel it now.”
I narrow my eyes on him. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Do you really want a man telling you what you are? I thought you’d rather learn on your own. You just needed a little nudge.”
I am surprised by his answer. And he’s right. I narrow my eyes on him. “You're not exactly a man.”
He waves his hand in front of his face. “Semantics.”
I roll my eyes before they widen at my understanding. “Wait, so the little glowing book was you?”
He chews his lip to hide his grin. “Guilty. I just wanted to steer you in the right direction.”
I sigh. “So what am I? What is this magic?”
Caelum sits up, stretching his massive legs to each of my sides.
“Dream weaving used to be incredibly powerful magic. Only a few fae held such powers. Arc’s father included.
These fae can not only dream in prophecies, they can wield power within the subconscious realm.
A creature is no more vulnerable than when they are asleep.
King Caledor tried to contain these fae, hoarding them within his court.
But over time, some slipped through his grasp and bred with other, less powerful fae, and some humans.
The power of dream weaving became reduced to just prophetic dreams, and nothing of great importance. ”
My brow furrows in thought. “Is that Maeve girl like me?”
Caelum shakes his head. “Her powers are the opposite of yours. She doesn’t need to be asleep to foretell the future. She’s a seer. And she can’t influence or interact with others in her visions.”
I’m a freak.
Caelum’s expression darkens. “There’s nothing wrong with you. You’re fucking powerful and perfect and exactly how you’re supposed to be.”
My heart tumbles in my chest. His face is so earnest that it softens my mood. “Is there anyone else like me in Silverveil?”
He shakes his head. “Not anymore. The king is the last who holds such power. When the revolt came, several fled to the rebellion, and most didn’t make it out alive.”
“What does this mean? Why is my power materializing now? Arc told me something needed to trigger it.”
Caelum’s face tightened with concern. “I fear it has to do with the king returning. Since he holds powers like yours, it’s possible he dreamed of you, learned you’ve awakened.
Everything that happens in our realm works in balance, at least that’s how it used to be.
Just like when a portal opens to bring a traveler, another appears elsewhere.
Something sparked your power, and I suspect it was the king. ”
My stomach churns. Shit just got real.
He leans toward me, gripping my worried face in his hands.
I close my eyes and relish his warmth as a tear slips down my cheek.
His thumb slicks it away and I open my eyes to see his gold-flecked eyes on mine.
“I don’t know what all this means, or the role you play in the king’s return.
But I promise you, I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise.”
A surge of anger courses through my veins, igniting a fire in my chest. My heart pounds against my ribcage like a trapped bird desperately seeking its freedom.
The room suddenly feels suffocating. The walls are closing in on me, mirroring the constricting grip of my emotions.
But beneath the anger and frustration, a tinge of heartbreak seeps in.
It weighs heavily on my chest, as if a stone has settled there, creating an ache that radiates through my entire body.
In that moment, the impact of Caelum’s spoken words reverberates not only in my mind but through the very fibers of my being.
I wrap my fingers around his, tugging his hand from my face. “You shouldn’t make promises you can’t keep.” We’ve been down this road before, and I’m confronted with the fact that he brought me here in the first place.
His brows pull together and he slips his hand around mine, refusing to let me go. “I know you have no reason to trust or believe me, but I will die before I allow any harm to come to you.”
I glare at him. “And why is that?”
He takes a sharp inhale. “Because … you’re important to me. We are irrevocably bound together, and it is my duty to keep you safe and stand behind you as you come into your full power.”
Something tugs deep in my chest. No one has ever expressed such fidelity to me. Certainly never a man. And as much as I want to guard my heart, my mind and body believes him. He’s woven himself around my heart, and while I don’t quite understand my feelings, I know he’s sincere.
But something tickles the back of my mind. Like there’s something he’s not telling me.
His eye twitches, and I wonder if he read my thoughts. My doubt. I stare at him.
He breathes in deep. “There’s more to our story, Camryn. And it will be told in time. Right now, if you’ll let me, I’d just like to hold you.”
I jolt slightly at his request. Surely I thought he’d try to get in my pants since I arrived at his room.
One side of his mouth curves into a grin and I know for a fact he read my mind just now.
“That will come in time, too. But only when you’re ready. And right now, I think you just need comfort.” He leans back against a massive pile of pillows, the cool silk shimmering beneath the dimming light of the late afternoon.
My head dizzies from my tumult of emotions. I trust Caelum, but I know I should tread carefully. There’s so much he’s not telling me. But I remind myself that I’m not Rory. I’m not the cautious one. I’m the woman who dives in headfirst and hopes I don’t hit rock.
Will Caelum be the one that ends me? Or will he embrace me into his depths?
My heart leaps.
He stretches his arms toward me and meets my gaze. A faint smile spreads across my lips and I slowly crawl to him. When I reach the crook of his arm, I place my palm on his warm chest and his heart pounds beneath his skin.
I grin up at him. “Are you nervous, Commander?”
He chuckles, warm and low. “You make me nervous, Little Dreamer. In the best way.”
My hand slides across his chest until it wraps around his ribs. I lower myself until my head rests on his firm muscles. His heart beats a hypnotizing rhythm into my ear, and I close my eyes as it fills my heart with its song.
His arms wrap around me. This feels … fucking amazing.
“I couldn’t agree more,” he whispers into my hair.