I blink away from her to the darkness at the foot of the bed. The silver-eyed male I saw at the ball is there and then gone, flickering like a fading, precious memory.
“Who told you that story?” he asks. He’s more shadow than corporeal.
I sit up and smile at him, oddly comforted by his appearance and my sister’s words. I feel safe here, under the intense gaze of this faerie who is all but a stranger to me. I feel less alone. The prince will help you find me. I climb out of bed and tuck the blankets around Jas. “Our mother told us many stories.”
“Then why do you feel so powerless?”
Suddenly our bedroom becomes the cold, doorless, windowless cell in the evil king’s castle. And I remember. I’m a prisoner. This is a dream. “Because I am.”
Something like anger flashes in those silver eyes, and then I’m standing beneath a vast, starry sky, the moon a comforting beacon over my shoulder.
The silver-eyed faerie fully materializes, as if strengthened by the starlight. His dark curls are pulled back from his face and his brow is creased with worry. “You’re only powerless if you believe you are.” He sneers as he looks me over, and in his eyes I see a reflection of starlight. “We don’t have much time.”
“What?”
“He won’t let you go—he won’t release either of you—until you agree. I’ll help you get her back. Come find me.”
“You’re Unseelie. Why would I want your help? You’re probably working for him.”
His eyes flash. “Never. I swear it on my magic.” He blinks and turns his head. “They’re coming.”
He disappears, and the dark night around me is erased by too-bright light.
“Wake up, Fire Girl.” The command is followed by a dry cackle, and I open my eyes.
A goblin stands in the center of the cell. He grins down at me, his gnarled fingers extended toward my hair, his bulging eyes bright with excitement. But I’m still half in my dreamworld and can barely focus on the creature before me.
Why did I dream of that faerie? He had seemed so real. Why hadn’t I dreamed of Sebastian giving me advice—or Jasalyn? Or anyone I knew?
The goblin offers his hand, pulling me from my thoughts. “The king believes a night’s sleep may have made you change your mind. We go to him now.”
My instinct is to refuse, but what will that accomplish?
Nodding, I take his bony hand. I’m still crouched on the ground when we appear in the throne room again. Unlike last night, the room is empty except for Mordeus, who stands before his throne like he’s been pacing. Despite the bright morning sun pouring in through the windows and the domed glass ceiling, the space seems bigger and colder.
“Has the mortal reconsidered my offer?” King Mordeus asks his goblin, his eyes hard. A ruler who doesn’t tolerate being refused.
My stomach hurts, but I force myself to take one deep breath after another. I don’t trust faeries, and I specifically don’t trust this one, but I do trust my dreams. I swear it on my magic. Did my mother once tell me that a faerie can’t break a promise made on their power? I have to believe that my subconscious pulled this information from my memories for a reason.
I push myself off the floor only to be bound by those invisible chains again. I have to bite my lip to keep from snarling at him. “I have reconsidered.”
Pretend I want to marry the prince so I can infiltrate the castle, steal a few magical faerie artifacts, and free my sister. I can do this.
“If I retrieve these three artifacts and return them to . . .” I hesitate. I don’t want to give anything to this male who thinks human girls are objects to be purchased, and some instinct has me subtly reworking his terms. “If I return the artifacts to the Unseelie Court, you will return my sister safely to a location of my choice in the human realm.” It’s not a question. These are my terms.
His silver eyes glow. He knows he’s won. “You have my word, Fire Girl.”
“Swear it on your power.”
He flinches, and his features harden for a beat before he replaces his friendly mask. “Who told you about that?”
I shrug. “Everyone knows,” I lie. “Unfortunately, it’s the only way I can trust you.”
“Fine. With one caveat. If you tell anyone from the Seelie Court about this arrangement, our bargain is over and I’ll give your sister to my goblins as a solstice gift. Do you understand?”
Who would I tell? The only soul I trust in this realm is Jasalyn. “I understand.”