Not So Obvious (Dani’s POV)

I rolled my shoulders back and repeated my mantra: “I’m not sneaking, I’m just obtaining information.” Since the moment I met Vallen we had had a weird connection. It was like I had known him all my life. Now I’m not saying that it’s a Soul Mate connection like Kat’s, but I firmly believe that if there is such a thing as past lives, he and I have known each other before. He doesn’t make me nervous. Quite the opposite, really. I feel off-kilter, like a I’m a little too comfortable and shouldn’t be. No matter how I look at it though, he knows me. More impressively, he reads me like one of the thousands of books he keeps proudly displayed in his chamber.

With one more deep breath I climbed down the stairs and entered the Dragon’s nest. It had been months since I was last here. You never know how much the loss of one person can shake your world until you lose them. Though Hue and I were not deeply connected I mourned his loss, but I think I mourned the loss of Kat more. With each passing day she became stronger, and there were more glimpses of who she was before, but I was also not foolish enough to think she would ever be the old Kat again.

I greeted familiar faces, stopping in the kitchen to enjoy some freshly baked cookies before building up the courage to face the beast. I raised my hand and knocked on the door to his chamber. There was a faint stirring within, but nothing really discernible. I knocked again with a bit more force.

“Enter,” came the simple command from a groggy voice. Oh no! I woke him, I thought to myself before pushing the door open. I entered the black chamber, feeling as if I was being swallowed by the darkness, and pushed the door shut.

“Vallen?” I asked softly. There was more shuffling before a hum and lanterns around the chamber illuminated the walls softly. Vallen sat at the center of his sunken bed with his hair tangled and deep black circles under his eyes. I tried not to let my shock show, but based on his glare I knew I hadn’t succeeded.

“Yes, Danielle? How can I help you?” He seemed to almost purr my name, which made me swallow hard.

“Are you all right?” I asked, not letting my concern ring too heavily in my voice.

He waved it away. “You know, as OK as one can be, having failed to protect his master.”

“You and Hue were equals and we all failed him, but he didn’t fail Kat. I think if we could ask him he would passionately believe he made the correct choice.” I resisted the urge to run to him and throw my arms around him to give comfort.

“How long has it been?” he asked gruffly.

A bit confused, I met his gaze. “Going on two months now.”

He sighed. “Thank you. What can I help you with? Why have you come?”

“I know that you oversee Maht and I have some questions?” I moved to the large wingback chair near his bed, taking a seat.

“I do.”

“Is Maht a portal city?” I asked straight out.

He smirked at me. “It has a Fairy Circle a few hours south near the beach.”

I shook my head. “That’s not what I am asking about.”

He studied me carefully. “What are you asking about?”

I could read between the lines. He wasn’t going to spell it out but he would answer me honestly if I asked. “Is there a portal to the Forgotten Realm within the city’s boarders?”

His smirk slid away and he fell back on the bed. “Why are you asking?”

I carefully thought about how to answer, not wanting to alarm him, but knowing my question had already done so. “Kat is going after Romijeer.” It was all I could come up with.

He shot up in bed and looked at me. “What? Why?”

“Because he holds her father as a Wraith.” I explained. His eyes flared, but he didn’t look mad. He seemed to understand.

“Of course, the caters…” he mumbled. I immediatly wanted to ask him to explain, but I knew now wasn’t the time for. “I cannot confirm if there is or isn’t a portal within the city walls, but I can promise both my brother and I are sworn to protect the gateway to that realm – so it would be fitting to be in a place we could easily access.”

I nodded understanding. “Thank you,” I told him, and started to leave.

“Dani?” he called.

I turned to give him one last look. I already knew what he would say, but I nodded yes anyway. “Be careful.”

“Of course,” I reassured him before I left the chamber.