“Run!” he bellowed.
I sprinted for the archway as cracks spider-webbed through the floor. The ground pitched and blocks tore from the walls, collapsing into the abyss opening under our boots.
Kairos lunged for me as the stone gave way.
Wind howled in my ears as the maze dropped, the void swallowing me whole, then I crashed into earth, grass cushioning my palms.
I gasped, staring up at a blue sky with drifting clouds. Breath sawing in and out, I sat up.
Soft pink light illuminated marble arches covered in ivy and white blooms, and fae walked through them in long shimmering gowns, sitting at tables that sparkled with crystal goblets. Delicate fiddle music drifted through the sweet air.
It was Ashvar Keep, cleaned up and perfect, a memory filtered through honey. Everyone was smiling. Laughing. I touched my chest and looked down.
Oh my gods.
A beautiful gown wrapped my body. The pale ivory silk shimmered like moonlight on water, so light that it floated and the bodice hugged my ribs, embroidered with tiny crystals. Gossamer sleeves draped my arms in lace and the skirt pooled around my feet in soft waves.
“What is this place?”
“Somewhere you don’t have to run.”
I spun around.
Kairos stood behind me, his hair tied back. He wore formal robes—black with a gorgeous silver brocade—and he beamed at me. His arms wrapped around me and I stiffened, my breath catching. He felt real. Solid muscle under silk, his breath ghosting across my hair.
The music swelled. Laughter rippled through the courtyard. Lanterns floated overhead like amber stars. His hand found mine, fingers lacing together. Every nerve in my body screamed to move, but I couldn’t. The weight of his arms around me was an intoxicating anchor.
This was all fake. The marble under my heels, the scent of ivy and roses in the air, but part of me wanted to sink into the safety of his arms without worrying about the next disaster.
I swallowed hard and pulled my hand from his.
His smile dimmed. “Aelie?”
“I can’t stay here,” I said, taking a step back.
I turned my back on him, the faceless guests blurring into a wash of light and laughter.
“Having fun?” said an angry voice.
I whirled around, and my sister stood there in a sleek purple dress, her hair twisted in a lazy braid. Alive. Whole.Here.
“Rheya?”
My throat closed so fast it hurt.
Rheya shifted. “You’re stepping on my gown.”
A sob cracked out of my lungs, and I threw my arms around her. She stiffened, patting my back the way she’d console a crying drunk girl outside a tavern.
“Get a grip,” she muttered.
I hugged her harder. She even smelled the same, like that soap we stole from market stalls.
“I’ve missed you so much.”
Rheya snorted. “For how long, an hour?”
I pulled away. “What?”
