Page 27

“Are you hurt? Did something happen?” His deep voice sent a tremble down to her gut. He sounded real, felt real. As if the hazy worry lifted away, every sense she possessed sharpened.

She was once again in the land of the living.

This was the realm of Adalon, home of the elves, and she stood before the god of war also known as Thane, the High King of the elves.

She lifted her hand off his chest and turned it over to find the self-inflicted wound on her palm had stopped bleeding, but it was sore and still bright red. Before she could tuck away the wound, he took hold of her wrist and opened her fingers. “How did this happen?”

“I–I did it.”

“Why would you hurt yourself?”

She glanced down, recalling she was wearing a short, thin nightgown. Too embarrassed to admit why she stabbed her own hand and was racing through the halls questioning reality. “I am looking for Valeen.”

“She’s here but do you need to sit down?” His brows furrowed as he inspected her further, seeing deeper. “Can I get you some water?”

Her mouth was dry, and her throat ached from what she suspected was dehydration. “No, I will be fine. I–I had a nightmare and now it seems silly.”

She pulled out of his grasp and started back down the corridor to her guest chambers, heat working its way up her neck. Someone had left a pitcher of water on the bedside table and a tray of snacks, and she’d rather eat that than burden Thane. Surely, he had better things to do.

“Katana, wait.” She hadn’t had much interaction with him, or anyone since they’d arrived here a few days ago. “Tell me about it.”

“It is nothing.”

“You asked me if I was real… I don’t think it’s nothing.”

She took in a sharp breath and came to a slow stop. Shame worked its way up her throat. Would he think she was losing her mind? She couldn’t meet his eyes when she confessed, “I keep having the same dream of Synick killing me, and then I thought maybe all this was also a dream, and I had to see someone else. I had to…”

“You’re here in Palenor. It’s real.”

“I know that now.”

“I should have checked on you sooner. I assumed since you didn’t come out of your room except to check on Valeen you wanted space.” He lifted a hand toward her but then curled his fingers and dropped his arm to his side.

Space away from everyone was likely the reason she felt this way in the first place. “You do not need to apologize.”

“Is it because he’s here? We can move him somewhere else, but I give you my word he is well guarded. He won’t hurt you.”

Atlanta would have told her to quit whining about nothing, and yet Thane offered to move Synick somewhere else entirely simply because she was having nightmares.

“I trust you know what you are doing.”

His face softened. “Would it help if I moved you into the room next to Valeen? It’s my old room. You can be close to her.”

Katana’s legs seemed to weaken as the rush of panic wore off. She had never felt like this before and reached for the wall to hold herself steady. “I cannot ask you to give up your room.”

“I already gave it up. No one sleeps there now.”

“Why did you give it up?”

He tilted his head slightly to one side. “Because Valeen and Hel are right next to it.”

She had yet to learn the details of what his relationship to Valeen was. A past lover was all she knew. Most of the last two days she’d sat in her room waiting for Valeen to wake up. “Thank you. I will think about it.” She was in an entirely different wing than her sister and this castle was vast, easy to get lost in.

“You look a little pale. Have you eaten?”

“Oh, umm, I ate an apple a couple of days ago. I think.” The corridor around her started to spin and she closed her eyes, pressing her head back against the cold wall. Warm fingers closed around her wrist.

“I’m a terrible host. Let’s get you something to eat.”