I look at Kieran, really look at him, and that—that is when I feel so goddamn foolish.
My worlds are colliding. The Fae prince I’m bonded to, sitting in the bar where I had my first kiss, being sized up by the dragon I’ve known since middle school.
This is either the best thing that’s ever happened to me or the start of a catastrophe.
Knowing my luck, probably both.
“I’m not dreaming, am I?”
“Oh no.” Vanessa shakes her head. She’s wearing a full white knit dress. “This is no dream.”
Kieran sits beside Vanessa, a wrinkle on his forehead as he stares at her.
I never told him about my friends. About my family.
I never talked much to them about my life.
Only the mission. Always the fucking mission.
And now Kieran is staring at Vanessa with a look of horror as she turns those slitted eyes on him.
“Ash, introduce us.” She holds her back straight as she studies Kieran.
And for the first time in my entire life the oddest thought occurs to me.
If Vanessa eats Kieran in a dream, does he die in real life?
“Kieran, I’d like to introduce you to Vanessa.” I swallow. “Her mate was Greyson.”
“Is,” Vanessa corrects without looking back at me. “He’s just a little more reaper-y now.”
Kieran chokes.
Right. He saw that memory projected during the Trial. The shot. The sand. Greyson crumpling. And what he became after.
“What are you?” Kieran manages.
Vanessa tsks. “Did you not learn to avoid rude questions?” She leans close to him. He attempts to lean back farther. “I will eat you.”
Kieran looks at me, panicked, as everything clicks together.
I’m just not sure he knows she’s a dragon.
“Can we talk about how this is possible, Vanessa?” I grab her arm for her attention. “I dreamt about Sab.”
“We know.” She turns back to me, threading her fingers through mine and scooting closer so she can look at Kieran from my perspective.
It’s just a Vanessa thing.
“What do you mean?”
“She called us. Also, no one had heard from you in a year.” She drops that casually. “We weren’t too worried because your mom said you went undercover or whatever.” She flutters her hands. “But then your mom went missing.”
“She’s with me.” I look at Kieran, whose eyes widen. Understanding flashes as horror across his features.
“Anyway.” She smacks my hand. “But why is he here?”
“Kieran?” I open and close my mouth, look at my wrist, then back to Vanessa. “We have a lot to catch up on.”
