Page 91 of Realm of Dreams & Shadows

He flips more pages. “The Realm of Others came next. They craved structure after centuries of chaotic amalgamation. The Unseen welcomed me because I could see them and acknowledged their existence. Even those in the Realm of Retribution recognized the need for a unified rule.”

The images are seductive, showing not conquest but adoption. Realms choosing to join him, to be part of something bigger.

“Four realms,” I breathe, understanding dawning. “You rule four of the five realms.”

“I’ve unified four-fifths of existence,” he confirms with genuine pride in his voice. “I’ve brought prosperity and purpose to billions of beings. Look.”

I glance down at another page, showing thriving cities, the population moving through gates from one realm to the other, magic flowing freely.

I look up, confused.

“My brother sees what he wants and believes what he wants. I see clearly, Cora.” He takes a step toward me, then brushes the pad of his thumb over my lower lip, and I have to force myself not to whimper. “I see very clearly, indeed.”

His voice is soft. A promise, perhaps. Or a challenge. I don’t know. Right then, all I know is his touch. And a terrible, soul-wrenching flood of confusion.

He uses his fingertip to gently lift my chin. “Do not dismiss me, my Queen. Not until you understand me.”

I glance toward the book. “And my realm?”

“Ah, yes. My white whale.”

I shake my head, not understanding.

“Do you think I wish harm to befall the homeland of my beloved? I do not. I will not. And yet my brother and his band of Merry Men…” He trails off, clearly frustrated. “It is my brother who withholds unity from your realm, and all because of his stubborn refusal to even consider that the realms can co-exist.”

The words twist something inside me. What if he’s right?

He closes the book and moves closer to me, so close that I expect him to draw his arms around me and pull my body to his. He doesn’t, and I’m not sure if I’m relieved or disappointed.

Since I don’t have to think about that disturbing conundrum, I go back to the truly important question of the barriers. “Chase says the barriers are needed to protect humanity.”

“From what?” His laugh is soft but bitter. “From prosperity? From magic? From the chance to be part of something greater than one small, dying realm?” He’s close enough now that I have to tilt my head to meet his eyes. As I do, the room seems to spin, my head going suddenly light.

“You’ve seen what I’ve accomplished,” he continues. “The peace my people live under. The beauty that can be found in the joining of the realms.” He takes my hand. “In our joining,” he murmurs, his voice laced with a heat that I can’t help but find alluring.

“But it will be chaos if the barriers fall,” I say.

He shakes his head, smiling indulgently as one might to a confused child. “I’ve already shown you that it will not. Don’t parrot the Hunter’s words now that you’ve seen the truth. He has not. He knows only the lies he’s been told.”

“Then you should show him.”

Adric shakes his head. “He may be of my blood, but that does not mean he trusts me.” He takes my hand. “You, he might believe.”

I glance down at the book, wanting to believe. But could Chase and Whistler and Griffin all be so very, very wrong?

“Cora, my love. You’ve seen the peace I’ve wrought. Ask yourself why I would want to destroy the very realm I’ve spent centuries trying to include? I don’t. I want to build a unified world. Please, my love,” he whispers, moving closer and cupping my chin. “Please tell me that peace and unity is a dream you share.”

“Of course, that’s what I want, but I still don’t know that what you’re doing is the right way.”

“But it is,” he says. “Don’t you see? We can create a unity that hasn’t been seen since the time of the Emperor. Can’t you see how perfect that is? You, his heir, ensuring peace among the realms.”

He pulls me close enough that I can feel his heat. “I need you, Cora. And not just because together we can finally unify the realms.”

“Oh,” I say, as pure need races through my body. Chemistry? Oh, yeah. We’ve got chemistry in spades.

I draw a breath and lift my chin, trying to focus. “And if I refuse?”

“Then the barriers will continue to weaken on their own, chaotically, dangerously. Nightmare creatures bleeding through in starvation and madness because they can’t access their natural homes. The Realm of the Real inundated by a magical load that will crash over it like a tidal wave.”