Dreams Lie Beneath

by Rebecca Ross

The dress Phelan had tailored for me looked to have been spun from gold. It rushed off my shoulders and softly held my curves, tiny jewels sewn along the hem and the neckline. I had never worn something so beautiful. It felt like sunlight on my skin, warm and soft. Alluring.

Phelan leaned close to me, to whisper into my ear as one does to a lover.

My body tensed until I felt Phelan’s hand on my knee, beneath the table.

“Ambrose’s twin brother, Emrys, has withstood the curse for a hundred years on the mountain.

“It is time for us to return to the mountain. It is time for us to end the curse.”

This has taken a turn i wasnt quite exoecting

And I had not pointed out that the countess herself had borne twin boys, and that life sometimes had a twisted sense of humor.

He looks immensely jealous of me, as if he longs to be the one who made you laugh.”

“You have certainly gotten under his skin. Whatever did you do, my friend?”

I lifted my gaze to meet Phelan’s. This time, he did not look away.

“Phelan cares for you, Anna,” she said, and I couldn’t help it: my mouth fell open, drawing a snicker from her. “Do not act so surprised. Any fool could see it.”

Anna Neven might have given her vow to the Vespers. But Clem Madigan’s allegiance remained to be seen.

That is SO jude of her

The lift jerked to a halt and I stumbled backward into Phelan.

I didn’t sense danger, only sorrow and cobwebs of memories.

Lady Raven may have first spoken the idea aloud, but it lived in the other six hearts.”

I wanted to throw more kindling on my hate and yet you gave me nothing to burn, because you are simply too good. Even now, you are too good.”

I shoved his chest for emphasis. He didn’t budge, but his hands rose to capture mine.

JUST KISS ALREADY

“I dreamt of you yesterday, Clem.”

“I wanted it to be you,” he said, his voice deep, rough-hewn. “When I returned to the museum for that final interview . . . gods, how I wanted it to be you.”

His hands grasped my waist, drawing me to him. I took hold of his collar, my mouth hungry to taste his. Our lips met, cautiously at first as we explored each other. My fingers drifted into his hair as I drank his sighs, his breaths. His hands moved to the curve of my neck; his fingertips traced the dip of my collarbones. I arched into him as he pressed me against the wall.

FINALLYYYYYYYY

“We have both held our secrets long enough. Tell me what is troubling you. Tell me how I can help you.”

As soon as I did, he leaned so close that our lips almost touched. “You were indeed vicious,” he breathed, but pulled away before I could kiss him.

“When you said my name . . . the stone within me suffered a crack. And I don’t regret that it did, because I had forgotten how vital it is to be known for who you are, and not for who you pretend to be. I had forgotten how good it is to be seen, even with flaws and scars. I wanted you to see me.

“Then I will guard you until the end, even if that means I must do it from a distance,” he said. His fingers traced down my arm to twine with my own, lifting my hand to his lips. To kiss the hollow of my palm, as if sealing me with a vow. “Rest now, Clem.”

Phelan had become my greatest alliance while also becoming my greatest threat. And a few strands of auburn now shone among the golden brown of my hair.

“The countess, of course,” I said, and departed without another word.

Baller

His dark hair was loose, just as I preferred.

I saw a flash of red hair, long and loose and wild, as a girl walked across the ballroom through the blood. I felt a stitch in my side when I saw her face. It was me.

DAMN this disguise has been a good idea if not for avoidingthe countess

“No, let me take her. She’s mine.”

EATING TJIS UP

He slid off the bed and sank to his knees. “You told me to get on my knees before you and apologize,”

A man on his knees swon

I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but this one thing I seek, so that I may remain near you.”

Particularly Phelan, who needed intensive schooling to amount to anything.”

Ew

“Oh, and Anna?” she added, just before she departed. “Last night, you hesitated, and the nightmare got the best of you. See that you don’t let it happen again.”

Fuck you lady

“You have surprised and delighted me, mortal girl.”

“I’ve guarded it well,” I carefully replied, but I could still taste Phelan’s lips on mine. I still saw him on his knees before me, captivated. I still heard the way he said my name.

Her words roused emotion in me. How ironic, I thought, if I crack and crumble right here and now, at her feet. The one who had disguised me.

My uncle sliced Isidore’s neck.

Are wepositive emrys did it? What if ambrose did and emrys pretended to be him to take his punishment

He drove his dagger into the baby’s chest, swift and deep, and the baby let out a wail as the dream broke at last.

Damn cold but efficient

. I realized he was not my father. It was Emrys, wearing my father’s clothes and aging spell, pretending to be him.

I was close!

“Let me hold you one last time, my quiet boy,” Imonie said with a smile, stroking the hair from his brow. “My scholar of dreams.”

Who had let my father wear his robes to deceive and kill the duke.

I was correct! What a rollercoaster

The arrow had not broken the stone within me. A wound had not ushered my breaking. It had been my decision to take an arrow for Phelan. For I couldn’t imagine a world with him gone.