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The dreams felt too real, too vivid to dismiss as mere nightmares. The Empress's words echoed in my head, each syllable dripping with malice and certainty. And the worst part was the seed of doubt they planted, what if I wasn't strong enough to stop her? What if the Moon Mark and the Diadem weren't enough to save those I loved from the darkness that hungered for us all?

ChapterEighteen

Senara

I pressed my palms against the cool earth beneath me, grounding myself in the reality of the Twilight Gardens. Thorn's steady breathing next to me helped chase away the remnants of that terrible vision. But doubt still gnawed at my insides, an insidious whisper reminding me of the Empress's words.

"Eclipse Child," I muttered under my breath, trying to shake off her haunting voice. It felt like a curse more than a blessing. The weight of expectations bore down on me heavier than any sword.

Wyn stirred beside me, her eyes fluttering open. She blinked sleepily, but when she caught sight of me, concern flooded her expression. "Senara? What's wrong?"

"Nothing," I lied too quickly. My heart raced as I forced a smile, but I could see the doubt in her gaze.

"You don't look alright," she said softly, pushing herself up on one elbow. "Did you dream?"

I nodded slowly, my throat tight as I tried to articulate the swirling dread that clung to my thoughts like fog.

"The Empress?" Wyn ventured gently.

"Yeah." My voice cracked. "She showed me... things." I hesitated, not wanting to burden her with visions that twisted and corrupted everything we fought for.

Wyn reached out and took my hand, her touch warm and reassuring. "You're stronger than she thinks. We all are."

Her faith stoked a flicker of warmth within me, but it felt fragile against the chilling memories of my dream. Thorn shifted beside us and blinked awake, his gaze sharpening as he took in our worried expressions.

"What happened?" he asked hoarsely, sitting up straighter. His protective instinct kicked in immediately.

"I just," I started, but then stopped myself again; it didn't feel right to drag him into my fears when he had already fought so fiercely for us.

"Just bad dreams," Wyn interjected quickly. "Nothing we can't handle."

Thorn narrowed his eyes slightly, unconvinced, but choosing not to press further. Instead, he turned his attention outward into the garden's beauty, the surreal colors and floating islands bathed in an ethereal light that contrasted sharply with our earlier chaos.

"Whatever happens next," he said finally, his tone steady and unwavering, "we face it together."

That declaration washed over me like a balm, a reminder that no matter how daunting our path ahead seemed, I didn't have to bear it alone. The weight on my shoulders lightened ever so slightly as hope crept back into my heart; perhaps together we could resist whatever darkness loomed over us.

I sat up straighter, taking a moment to shake off the remnants of the Empress's haunting words. Thorn's unwavering gaze steadied me as he studied my face, concern etched in his features.

"Are you sure you're alright?" he asked, his voice a low rumble that sent warmth through me despite my lingering fears.

"I will be," I replied, trying to inject confidence into my tone. "We have the Diadem, and it's strong."

Wyn squeezed my hand tighter. "And we have each other. Remember what we've accomplished so far. You are not alone in this fight."

I nodded, though doubt still gnawed at my insides like a feral creature. The darkness I had faced in my dream felt closer than ever, whispering lies that clawed at my resolve. Yet, the support from Thorn and Wyn anchored me.

"What's our next move?" Thorn shifted slightly, his posture becoming more assertive as he rose to his feet. The sunlight filtering through the trees highlighted the determination in his eyes.

"We need to prepare for whatever is coming," I said, glancing at Van and Volker, who were waking up nearby.

I pushed myself up, brushing the cool grass off my legs as I surveyed our surroundings. The gardens, with their breathtaking beauty, felt like a dream, too serene to be real. But I couldn't let that fool me. Danger lurked just beyond the trees.

"Van," I called, my voice stronger than I felt. He looked up from where he had been stretching, a hint of mischief in his eyes that faded as he caught my serious tone.

"We need to plan," I continued, glancing at Thorn and Wyn. "The feral fae are still hunting us."

Van nodded, stepping closer. "The Crescent Diadem has awakened ancient powers within you, Senara. But we need to understand its limits."