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“It’s tomorrow.” He traced a swirl in the grass, still seeming unable to meet my gaze. “I’ve been meaning to ask for a while…would you be willing to meet me there so we can attend together?”

I could barely speak, so I merely nodded. His nervousness vanished in an instant, replaced with a wide smile. His joy only escalated my own, making it easier to ignore the whispers of warning in the back of my mind. Surely it was just as frowned upon for Nightmares and Dreamers to attend the festival together as it was for them to attend tea shops together…but I suddenly didn’t care. For the truth of the matter was I wanted to go with Darius, just as I wanted this moment between us to continue.

Darius reluctantly tore his gaze away to glance up at the sky, which had only grown darker as night had further settled. “I suppose we’ve delayed our Weaving long enough. We should go so you don’t feel rushed.”

His tone was so kind, without a hint of resentment about how long I took to construct my dreams. He stood first and offered his hand to help me to my feet, and as before, even after I’d stood, he didn’t release me, instead pulling me closer so that his caramel-apple-scented warmth enveloped me, leaving me lightheaded.

“Are you feeling better?” He looked so concerned, which only lifted my heart further.

“I am.” Even though my circumstances hadn’t changed and Darius had offered nothing more than a listening ear, kindness, and a promise to try and help, somehow it was enough.

Darius gave my hand a reassuring squeeze before leaning down to pick up his bag, but in his fluster he lifted it upside down, causing its contents to tumble to the ground. He swore and stooped down to gather his things. I crouched down to help.

“You don’t have to do that,” he protested.

I offered him a mischievous look. “You helped me, so might I help you in return?”

He smiled and we gathered his things. I paused when I noticed a black notebook embedded in a silver design of spiderwebs. “What’s this?”

Darius hastily snatched it away. “Nothing.”

“So I’m not the only one with secrets?” My smile was teasing.

“Not exactly secrets…” He avoided my eyes, which only escalated my curiosity.

“Won’t you show me what’s inside?” My tone came out more flirtatious than pleading, undoubtedly a result of this beautiful outing we’d experienced together.

His growing blush deepened. “I don’t want any secrets between us. I’m just afraid…you’ll get the wrong idea. I don’t want to hurt you.”

My flirtatious smile vanished in an instant. “Is it about me, then?”

He hesitated before taking a steadying breath and handing me the notebook. I eased it open. My brow furrowed. It was blank. But before I could question him, he summoned his magic, curling the green glitter around his finger, which he ran across the page.

I watched in amazement as words began to appear at his touch, rising onto the page, my name at the very top. What followed was a careful list of all the information he’d gathered about me, filling not just this page but all the subsequent ones. I rapidly flipped through them, my heartbeat escalating with each turn, before I snapped it shut.

“What is this?”

Darius wrung his hands. “Please, don’t get the wrong idea.”

“How can I not?” I demanded, my voice escalating. “Let me guess: the newest entry will be about the nightmare flower I inadvertently created.” I’d been such a fool to hand him that secret so readily.

He shook his head. “I won’t write that down if you don’t want me to, and no one but me will ever see this notebook. You have my word.”

I wanted nothing more than to believe him, but my mind had different ideas. “I don’t understand…if you’re not going to give it to anyone, why do you have this notebook at all?”

“I…just want to know more about you. You’re quite the puzzle.” Despite his nerves, he sounded almost awed by the prospect.

My eyes narrowed. “And what is the purpose of solving mypuzzle? Is this for the Council, or worse, your Head Nightmare mother?”

“No, Eden. Of course not.” He leaned forward, his eyes wide and earnest. “I’d never do that to you.”

Sense tried to convince me he was lying, but after our moment together, I found myself cautiously trusting him once more; I had no real reason not to other than fear, for I already knew it was only curiosity that led him to try to unravel the mysteries surrounding me. I managed a small, hesitant nod.

His shoulders sank in relief. “Thank you.”

He rested his hand over mine and my heart stirred once more. His touch, his kindness, his comfort…all deepened the connection that had existed between us from the very beginning. But although the feeling was warm and beautiful, it suddenly filled me with terror.

I yanked my hand away, but I couldn’t shake off the shadow of his gentle touch. “Please stop.”