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“How does it work?” he asked, partly horrified, partly fascinated. “Is it truly everything he touches?”

“It’s everything hisbloodtouches,” she clarified.

“So, we’re hoping his secret is connected to his powers?” Tristan asked, pondering the implications of their mission.

“If we can’t uncover the source of his power, we might find a way to neutralize it.”

“And free you,” Tristan added.

Aurora’s eyes saddened. “I’m afraid it’s too late for me.”

“Nuh-uh. No negativity, remember?” Tristan chided gently as he cut through the final layer of thorns barring their way. As much as he relished the Dreamworld, the idea of Aurora leaving that realm warmed his heart. He clung to the belief that she was merely sleeping in a hidden corner of his world, waiting to be awakened.

“Can I ask you a question?” Aurora asked.

“Sure,” he replied, handing her sword back to her.

“Your nightmare was a wedding. Why?”

Tristan hadn’t thought about it since. “I’m being pressured to find a wife, and marrying without love isn’t something I ever thought I would do.”

“Who’s pressuring you?” she asked.

“I made a deal with Rumpelstiltskin,” he confessed. “It was a trap, and I fell right into his snare.”

“What kind of deal?” she asked, genuinely curious.

Tristan frowned. “If I die without an heir to the throne, my kingdom will become his. If my father were still alive, I would already be married.”

“What are you waiting for?” Aurora asked, her voice almost hesitant.

Tristan glanced at her, wondering the answer himself. But he knew the answer. He’d always known the answer. “True love,” he said simply. Then he continued on his way.

They resumed their way in silence, the rhythmic huffing of their breaths and the occasional snap of twigs under their boots the only sounds around them. The forest’s secrets hung heavy in the air as they ascended the mountain.

Finally, as they reached the mountain’s summit, they came face to face with a petite fairy. Her narrow hips and dainty hands made her appear almost fragile. A cascade of purple hair framed her face, and her beady eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint. She was adorned in garb fashioned from green leaves and yellow petals, and behind her, a humble wooden hut nestled between two towering oak trees. A wreath of pinecones and roses hung on the front door.

“Welcome to my humble abode,” Millie greeted them, her voice a curious blend of warmth and hostility. Tristan tilted his head, studying her carefully. Despite her apparent capriciousness, there was an undeniable childlike aura about her.

Tristan leaned closer to Aurora and whispered, “She doesn’t look so scary.”

“Don’t let her fool you,” Aurora whispered back. As she took a cautious step forward, a sudden snap pierced the air. In an instant, a net sprang up from the ground, ensnaring her and leaving her suspended from a nearby tree.

Millie skipped forward, her demeanor switching between amusement and annoyance. She settled beside Tristan, her gaze shifting between him and the dangling Aurora.

“Why, hello, old friend,” she chirped, her attention now solely on Aurora. “Long time no see.”

AURORA

Dangling from the net, Aurora glared at Millie as she grinned from below, her vibrant purple locks shining with the reflection of the solar eclipse, which hadn’t yet reached its apex.

“You must be starving,” she said, placing a gentle hand on Tristan’s shoulder. “Please, come inside. Have something to eat.”

She guided Tristan toward her hut. Aurora’s gaze darted toward the open door, catching a whiff of savory pot roast wafting through the open windows. The tantalizing aroma teased her senses and fueled a growl deep within her stomach.

A moment later, Tristan returned with a knife in hand. With a swift stroke of the blade, he sliced through the net’s entangled threads, setting Aurora free.

She tumbled toward the ground, bracing for impact. But before her body could collide with the hard earth, strong arms wrapped around her, enveloping her in a protective embrace. Tristan’s grip tightened, his touch grounding her.