Holding in a laugh, I bite my lip. Thanks to Damon’s occasional dream walking in the human world, he’s picked up some phrases. It’s entertaining when he gets them wrong.
“I have my power couple right here.” Kirian gestures back and forth between us.
“Fine,” Damon sighs. “I’ve just had so much fun on our recent adventures.”
Kirian makes an exasperated sound. “Are you insane?”
“I’m serious. In the grand scheme of things, the other night was a blip on the radar.”
“And the damage to your hair earlier in the week?” Oh, Kirian’s hitting below the belt now.
I smile behind a pastry when Damon sniffs. “It’ll grow back. And, hey, we learned something new from Doctor Whittle. Distilled Day water is a thing.” He shakes his head. “Once word spreads, we might have a new crisis to deal with.”
“You’re not wrong about that. Speaking of learning something new, how did dream walking go last night?” Kirian asks, changing the subject.
“Uneventful. Torius dreams of battle. Kai, well, let’s just say in his dreams he was a lover, not a fighter.”
Pressing his lips together, Kirian hums. “Well, I trust your witch will be able to shed some light on things today. After that, Quinn and I plan to go home to Delavaria.”
For some reason, the mention of home causes a pang in my chest. My mom and dad’s faces flash through my mind, and I feel a deep sadness. I miss them.
Of course, always attuned to me, Kirian notices.
“Quinn? What’s wrong?”
When I think about returning to the palace, I’m not as excited as I should be.
Aside from the mishaps along the way—okay, it’s an understatement to refer to nearly dying as that. But if I’m not thinking about the unfortunate events, this road trip has been the best time of my life. The countryside is beyond beautiful. Kirian always points out the sights. Lakes, landmarks, and plants. I like being outside during dusk when the glow lights up the horizon.
That’s what Kirian and I are used to—nature. The great outdoors.
“Do we have to go back right away?” I ask.
Kirian’s eyebrows knit together. “I thought you’d want to go home.”
“It just doesn’t feel like home to me,” I admit, taking a small nibble of the pastry. It’s filled with a fruity jam, and I’m relieved when my stomach doesn’t protest.
At least Kirian’s not having any trouble with his appetite. He’s shoveling the food into his face like it’s his last meal.
The creases on his forehead deepen as he swallows a mouthful. “It will in time, especially after we get married. It’ll be ours.”
“I’ve enjoyed traveling,” I go on, fussing with my napkin. I’m not sure how to explain my feelings without coming across as an ungrateful snot. “The people of Valora are so great. Everyone’s welcoming. Most of the villagers have been happy to see me. When I show up, I’m celebrated. No one says anything about my freckles. Plus, I mean, gnome hugs. How can you beat that?”
“You don’t like the palace?” Kirian presses, sounding concerned but not insulted.
“It’s not the palace that’s the issue. The nobles don’t like me. I’m not even sure your family likes me.” It hurts to say it, but it’s true. “And everyone thinks I’m ugly.” Kirian opens his mouth to argue, but I hold a hand up. “Don’t deny it. Don’t lie to me.”
His jaw snaps shut.
That’s what I thought.
“What if we spent some time away from Delaveria? We could visit the villages. Build maypoles and parks. Give them lights.” Getting excited, I wave my hands. “It’d be a tour of happiness.”
“It’s a nice gesture, Quinn, but I’m the king. If the villagers need something, I have people who take care of it. I’m expected in Delaveria. We both are.”
Swallowing hard, I look down at my plate. I don’t know why I’m rebelling at the idea of going back. All along, I’ve known that’s where we’re headed.
“Lovers’ quarrel, amiright?” Damon reaches across the table and casually plucks the last sausage off Kirian’s plate. “Maybe I don’t want a mate after all.”
Kirian snatches it back. “That’s mine.”
“Mine, mine, everything is mine,” Damon mimics with a huff. He gestures to the spread. “You know what I got for breakfast this morning? Porridge. The Dream Realm king doesn’t get the same respect here that you do. They didn’t give me any sausages. I’m just a poor blind man trying to find something to eat.”
“As if playing that card could work with me.” Kirian lets out a chuckle at Damon’s antics, and I’m glad to see my man smiling again. “But fine.”
He tosses the meat at Damon’s head.
Damon catches it, but instead of eating it, he places it in front of me. “For you, future queen. You’ll need your strength today.”
I grimace. “That’s the second time I’ve heard that warning this morning. Is this Shadowlands place really that bad?”
The guys are suddenly serious and silent, and that’s all the confirmation I need.
Quinn
Mountains loom ahead. I could see them when we left town, but they looked small in the distance. Now they’re huge.
And it’s freaking freezing.
Good thing the innkeeper’s wife went shopping for me. Apparently, while I was recovering yesterday, she took it upon herself to go to one of the clothing boutiques. She got me pants with a thicker khaki-like fabric, a fur coat, and a matching hat. They’re super heavy and warm, and I’m grateful to have them.
Snowflakes have been falling for the last ten minutes, and they’re coming down harder with every passing second. The wind gusts, and my face is pelted with icy crystals.
As I huddle under the shelter of Kirian’s arm, my footsteps crunch over the dark terrain. I don’t like how the clouds hide the moons and the stars. Not only did they give us light, but I’ve gotten used to seeing them.
We’re not even in the Shadowlands yet, and it’s all kinds of gloomy around
