“It’s all thanks to you,” is all I say.
And it’s true. He told me enough to convince me our dreams have been real. Shared. That I’ve pulled him into my dreams or entered his, leaving his body paralyzed all the while, just like my mother does to her subjects. Even though Mother insisted that she’s never met a daydream succubus, I know that’s what I am. Or…more that my magic works whether I’m asleep or awake, and that I have far more control during daydreams. Before this moment, there was a chance I was wrong, but I was willing to bet I was right. My plan hinged upon it. And I executed it exactly as planned.
Step one: create a daydream. Step two: maintain eye contact long enough to distract him while I cast my dreamscape. Step three: draw him in as my subject. That gave me some anxiety, as he normally enters my dreams without my permission. But all it took was my intent, my slightest wish, and there he was, trapped in my dreamscape. I assume that’s how my magic has always worked. My wish for a partner lured him into my dancing daydreams. My arousal pulled him intothat one dream.
I force the latter from my mind.
The most important part of my plan was choosing a location I knew I could lure Thorne to and framing it every hour of every day, so that I could create a convincing scene when my opportunity came. That was yesterday’s task. A tedious one, but it paid off.
He releases an irritated sigh and tucks his hands in his trouser pockets. “You said you wanted to talk. Then you threatened me with a knife I can’t see and a bargain without terms. Why are you here?”
“Oh, our bargain has terms. And just because you can’t see the knife doesn’t mean it isn’t there. I assure you, my new friend Mr. Boris is holding a nice sharp blade to your throat as we speak. While you can’t move, I can. This is a daydream for me, which means Mr. Boris can hear everything I’m saying now. See everything I’m doing. With a single gesture from me, he will cut your throat.”
His eyes widen the slightest bit. He knows I can’t lie.
“Now, let’s get to the important bit. Our bargain. We’re going to break the sleeping spell on both our families.”
I’m rewarded with another look of shock.
I bat my lashes and tilt my head to the side. “Oh, did you not know there’s a way? Perhaps if you weren’t so busy ruining my life, you’d have figured it out for yourself.”
He opens his mouth, but it takes several long beats before he utters a word. “How do you know there’s a way?”
“Nyxia told me. The former queen and I had a rather informative chat. She told me exactly what it will take to break the sleeping spell. You and I must join forces to complete a single task that neither of us wants to do yet benefits the opposite family. If we do, the curse ends, and both of our families awaken.”
His jaw shifts side to side. I can practically see the struggle in his eyes, his desire to appear unflustered despite his burning curiosity. “Why would I agree to do anything with you?”
“Don’t you want your family to wake up before their hundred-year term ends? Or is hurting me your only goal in life?”
“I might be willing to entertain the idea,” he says through his teeth, “but what task would we—”
“That’s already been decided. You’re going to help me secure my marriage to Monty Phillips.” The words sear my tongue, making me bristle at my own proposal. But this is what I have to do.
“Why the hell do you need my help?”
“I need you to lie for me. You’re going to take me to Monty Phillips, exactly as you were supposed to, and tell him everything is fine. That my parents are well but indisposed and that our wedding should proceed as scheduled, regardless of their absence.”
“This is the task you chose? Couldn’t something simpler suffice?”
“It must be something that benefits the opposite family,” I say.
“Breaking the curse benefits both families. We could do anything together that we dislike for the sake of breaking the curse for the opposite family.”
I shake my head. “Nyxia already addressed that. She said the breaking of the curse cannot be the sole benefit. The task itself must uniquely benefit the rival family.”
“Any activity could be paired with enough logic to make it a benefit.” His lips curl into a sly grin, and his voice deepens. “I know of one activity we could do together that neither of us would enjoy.”
Heat floods my cheeks as I realize what he’s suggesting. “Absolutely not.”
“Why?” He takes a step closer. “Ah, it wouldn’t work, would it? Because you wouldn’t truly find that act between us unsavory at all, would you?”
My fingers curl into fists and I narrow my eyes. “I’m not here to jest, Mr. Blackwood. Our task has already been decided. I chose it because it fulfills every purpose. I don’t want to marry Monty Phillips. I’m guessing you don’t want me to marry your friend. But if you aid me in this task, you benefit my family by improving our reputation, financial situation, and position in society.”
“And how does your role in this benefit my family?”
My pulse quickens as I prepare to confess the next part. It feels like a betrayal to my family to share it, but it’s the best bait I have. “My parents made a bargain. Once I’m married to Mr. Phillips, Mother will cease using her magic on Father’s rivals. Doesn’t your family want a fair shot at challenging my father to the throne?”
I remember what my mother said when she briefly brought up Morgana, Thorne’s mother. How she married a moon dragon and backed his claim to the throne when he challenged my father. How he lost due to my mother’s magic. I can only assume this moon dragon isn’t Thorne’s father, considering Thorne is part human. Regardless, I’m willing to bet he’d rather see this moon dragon on the throne than my father.
