Page 93

Even in her dreams, Kallie could not think of a lie, so she shut her eyes and shut him out, refusing to say anything. Because, real or not, she didn’t want to lie to him. Not again.

Graeson clicked his tongue. “See, now that just won’t do, little mouse.” His thumb brushed across her cheek. A cold wetness spread in its path from the tear she hadn’t known had fallen. “Tell me, what will make you happy?”

Graeson’s voice was so . . . earnest, gentle. She wanted to fall into it. And maybe right now, she could.

She forced herself to look at him.

The places where he touched her heated. A burning, insatiable fire. The same fire she had felt whenever he had touched her in the past. Yet Kallie knew that his touch could not be real. As he said, this moment was only a figment of her imagination. But maybe . . . maybe that wasn’t a bad thing.

Her gaze dipped down to his lips.

Graeson stared down at her as if he could sense the change in her emotions. He chuckled, a noise too short-lived. “Come on now. That won’t fix things.”

Kallie lifted her gaze from his lips, a task harder in this dream state than it usually would have been. Maybe it was because she knew this moment wasn’t real or because she wanted to wipe away the other kiss from her lips. Or perhaps it was something else entirely. Either way, Kallie lifted her head, inching closer to him—as much as she could, anyway, with her hands still locked beneath his palm.

“Kalisandre,” Graeson warned.

“See, Graeson. That is how I know this isn’t real,” Kallie said.

“And why is that?” Graeson asked, brow arching.

“Because,” Kallie leaned closer, her cheek brushing against the scruff on his jaw, her lips near his ear. “If this were real, you would already know full well the effect that my name on your tongue has on me.”

“Is that so?” Graeson asked, his eyes darkening, his voice growing huskier, deeper. “Then why don’t you explain exactly what effect it has on you, Kalisandre?”

Kallie chuckled. “Explain? Oh no.” Kallie’s hand slid down his arm, cold prickles following in its wake. “I think you will understand better if I showed you.”

A sinful smile slipped over Graeson’s face, and the bottom of her core heated. Her gift hummed within her veins. And Kallie allowed herself to fall into the dream, head first.

* * *

Thunder stirred Kallie awake.Lightning flashed, and shadows scattered along the walls.

Her nails dug into the sheets as she sat up. Her skin was sticky with sweat, and her heart pounded against her chest.

She had been dreaming. She knew it in the way her heart beat against her ribcage. For once, however, it wasn’t from fear. For once, her throat didn’t ache from screams.

But something else ached low in her gut.

And it was at that moment, as she sat in a cold, stone room, she realized that the dream with Graeson was far worse than any nightmare she had ever had. This dream was a reminder of what could have been and what almost was. What she could have had in another life if things had gone differently.

But it was only a dream. A dream and nothing more.

Yet, when Kallie laid back down, she could have sworn the faint scent of cedar lingered on her skin.

Chapter31

GRAESON

“Weapons?”one of the guards checking their luggage asked, holding out a hand.

They had made it to the castle with one day to spare and without any other issues. Although, Ophelia’s absence was apparent. Medenia had grown quieter, more withdrawn. She had tried to play it off, but Graeson saw through her fake smiles. All that was left was to pass through the guard’s check at the gate.

Dani cleared her throat, and Graeson pulled out his scimitars and handed them to the guard. As the guard inspected the scimitars, Graeson forced his features to remain neutral and unbothered. He was not worried about the man or anything of note on the blades. Any distinguishable marks on the hilts had been covered with fresh leather.

However, the beast inside of Graeson growled as the Frenzian surveyed the blades, running a finger along the metal.

Mine, the beast shouted.