Vale of Dreams (Fey Academy for Spies, #2)

by C.N. Crawford

“I can see your mind running. Wondering how you should handle this. So, let me clarify. There’s only one way. My way. If you think you can disappear, I’ll remind you who I am. I’m Prince Talan de Morgan, the Dream Stalker, the man who tortures people for fun. I can find any soul in Brocéliande when they close their eyes. And unless you intend to remain eternally awake, I will always find you. Don’t make me chase you, Nia. You won’t enjoy what I’ll do when I find you.”

“And is our fake relationship one of those bad decisions?” He flashes me a disarming smile. “Oh, I’m sure it will be a complete disaster, but I don’t know how yet, and that’s always interesting.”

“Do you fall asleep easily, or does sleep elude you?” For a moment, it strikes me as such a strange question. But I suppose to the dream stalker, sleep is his domain. Taking Meriadec’s advice, I answer honestly. “Lately, I’m awake all the time. I drink herbal teas to help me sleep, but they hardly work. Most of the time, I fall asleep after the sun rises, but it’s a light, dreamless sleep.” “Well, that won’t do at all. I think you have too many responsibilities here. At least when you’re pretending to be my mistress, you’ll be free of them. And free of all your work.” “And you? How do you sleep?” I ask. I actually know a lot of these random details about Talan. I’ve been hearing his thoughts for years. The battles, the sex, the women moaning his name with their fingers threaded into his hair…and the intense loneliness when it’s time to sleep. “I seek company to sleep because I cannot stand to be alone,” he says in a honeyed murmur.

YOUR HONOR I LOVE HIM

if I fucked you for real, Nia, I can assure you that you would not need to fake it.”

I suspect that while we’re together, Talan and I will be playing a deadly game of hide and seek with each other.

All eyes are on me—including Talan’s. At the center of the tables, on the far side of the hall, he’s lounging in a chair. His rings and lopsided crown gleam in the candlelight. He wears a black jacket with silver buttons that sleekly fits his muscular body.

to whom I pledge my eternal devotion.”

“Careful, darling.”

“I would be a masochist to dwell on what other people thought of me. I’ve been despised since I took my first breath. So, I don’t really give a fuck what they think.

“Anyway, not to worry. You might loathe me, but you are mine now, and if anyone tried to burn you at the stake, I’d make them wish they were never born.”

“I’ll see you later, Talan.” When I glance back, I find his eyes locked on me. “How strange. I like the way it sounds when you say my name.”

My pulse races as he drags his gaze from me and stands, removing his belt in one smooth movement.

HOT

“There’s only one woman for me, and she is a figment of my imagination, a voice in my thoughts.”

“Why is your heart beating so fast?” he murmurs. I curl my fingers around the blankets. “Don’t you know everyone is scared of you?” Silence falls in the darkened room. Outside, lightning cracks and thunder rolls over the horizon. “Yes,” he says quietly, “but I didn’t think you were.”

“I’m sorry, who are you?” “It’s Aisling.” He nods. “Right. Shut the fuck up, Aisling.”

I like my beautiful things to have a bit of darkness in them.”

“I’ve spent a lot of time pretending to be something I’m not,” I say. “Not just here. At home, too. I pretend like I have everything together, that I’m in control, that everything is fine. I’m very skilled at hiding what I’m feeling.” “Because your father isn’t in control, so you pretend to be.”

“Nia,” he says softly. “If you want to keep your secrets, you can.” “Why?” “Because I trust you.” I blink. Strangely, my eyes are misting. “Why would you trust me?” “I don’t know. For some reason, I feel like I know you.”

“I need to know what the assassin looked like.” “He was dressed as a soldier.” “Shall I have them all killed, then? Every soldier working last night? Their entrails drawn out of them until someone confesses?”

“He’ll be designing your wedding dress. I can’t marry Arwenna if I’m already married.” He’s searching my face, but I’m not sure what he’s looking for. “I’m afraid we only have a few hours until we wed. Nia, this is the only way.”