The branches of trees spread across the moonless night sky. The leaves hanging from their limbs are sparce and rattle against the gentle breeze. I lower my gaze, soaking in the tombstones around me. Strange that I find myself here again in the dead of night. I swore that I would only return here for one reason—the chase.

Every time I picture Elias, playing my game...making my darkest fantasy reality, this is where I picture us.

"I thought you were dead."

"Did things not go to plan, brother?"

I spin around and find Elias facing off with...Elias? There is nothing to tell them apart. Everything from their long sleeve shirts to the way they've styled their hair is the same. Two sets of brown eyes flick to me, studying me like I'm something undiscovered.

"Does she know?"

"Know what?" the other says with a growl.

"Who we are? What we have to do? Why we have to do it?"

"She knows what we are."

My gaze bounces between them, no less confused than I was when I first laid eyes on them.

"You shouldn't be here."

I open my mouth to protest. They are the ones invading my dream. But the other brother responds before me.

"Shouldn't I? We are connected in every other way. Why not this?"

"You're saying—"

"Oh, I feel it too."

He feels what?

"No. That is impossible."

"Is it? We shared a womb, shared a sire, shared a destiny, You truly believe we don't share her as well?"

A growl comes from the brother to my left, and when he closes the distance between him and his mirror image, his voice is low and menacing. "Share her? I think not, brother. She is mine."

The one to the right crosses his arms and ankles while leaning against a tree trunk. "She is just as much mine as she is yours. It is a complicated web we find ourselves tangled in. Isn't it, sweet Cordelia?"

"I don't—"

"Keep her name out of your mouth."

I bite down on my lip, frustrated that I can't get a word in edgewise with them. I'm suddenly grateful to be an only child.

"Dark secrets have a way of finding the light."

"And dark deeds are always paid back in kind."

"Choose wisely, pretty dreamwalker."

The brothers disappear and everything around me fades to black.

The black morphs into shades of gray, and when my eyelids finally flutter open, I sit up, immediately looking down at Elias's side of the bed. I need answers, comfort, confirmation I'm not losing it. Something...

But he isn't there. His blankets are still messed up, like he got up from bed in a hurry, but then I notice there's a note in his handwriting on his pillow.

Cordelia,

The hobgoblins moved my tux fitting, so I had to get out of bed and head downstairs early. I'm sorry to leave you; I don't like knowing you're waking up alone. But I've locked the door and Lorelai knows to keep an ear out for anything weird. Be back soon.

Love,

Elias

Oh. Well, that makes sense. Shit. I guess I'll have to wait until later for my answers because my dress fitting is in just a few minutes. Yawning, I get to my feet and dress in a simple sundress and sandals before heading downstairs to the fitting room.

When I walk in, it nearly takes my breath away. It is like something out of a fairytale. Gilded mirrors run from the floor to the ceiling with a round platform in the center. Dressmakers' mannequins with golden tops display elaborate gowns in every shade imaginable. Beads, chiffon, lace, and tulle—every dress is gorgeous. My breath hitches at the sight of the dress hanging from a silk hanger at the front of the room.

The bodice is an intricate design of swirling pale pink and green upon cream satin. The soft colors pool together in a V before flowing out into the skirt. Shimmering ribbon that looks like starlight borders delicate flowers woven into the fabric that reminds me of the foggy outer corners of my dreams. Even the drapes that would cuff the biceps are otherworldly.

"Wow," I say, unable to take my eyes off the dress.

"Thank you, miss."

I glance down at the small creature with knobby knees and big pointed ears. The hobgoblin straightens the piece of twine around her waist and fluffs the burlap skirt of her dress. Two months ago, I would have been shocked to know that an intelligent being with greenish skin existed. Now, I'm used to the hairless creatures that take on the more skilled tasks in the house.

"Would you like to try it on?" the hobgoblin asks in a nasally voice.

My eyes grow wide. "That—that's my dress?"

A wide gap-toothed grin pulls at her thin mouth as she nods.

"Aphrodite and Ares, that is gorgeous," I whisper, reaching out and running my fingers over the silk ribbon. "It's like a dream."

The hobgoblin's smile just grows wider. "Is it? It's funny you say that. I was inspired to make it by a dream I had once...just a week or so ago actually. It was a lovely dream."

My heart squeezes in my chest. Wow. Talk about a "dream come true" moment. "Well, I'd say you nailed it."

"Thank you. Now, go ahead and take it into the fitting room and come out and show me. Then we can see what alterations need to be made."

"All right," I say, gingerly taking the hanger from the hook and ducking behind a curtain. I slip off my sundress and kick off my shoes before stepping into the ballgown, contorting my arms in that way that only a woman can when she's zipping up her own dress.

There's no mirror in here, so I can't see, but I can tell it fits my waist and chest perfectly. Even the dresses I've had specially made for me almost always need alterations due to my constantly fluctuating size. But this is exactly right. My height might be an issue, but I'll only know once I leave this room.

Taking a deep breath, I open the curtain and step out into the main fitting area, where the hobgoblin waits near the round platform.

She claps her hands and jumps up and down, her grin wide and happy. "Oh my, it's perfect! You look so beautiful, Miss Ashling!"

I step onto the platform and finally glance up in the mirror in front of me, and I inhale sharply. "Oh..."

She's right. I really do look beautiful. I'm not a woman that likes to just go around saying that about myself, but wow...there's being humble, and then there's being ridiculous. And it would be ridiculous not to admit how perfect this dress is for me. I swish the material around my feet and I know that even with my shoes, it will be the perfect length.

"Is there anything you wish me to fix?"

I glance down at the talented being beside me. "No. Nothing."

"I spoke to the hairstylist assigned to you and suggested they use pink flowers in your hair. It will look lovely with the silver."

I fight back the tears. It is overwhelming that the hobgoblin has taken such care to ensure I look amazing for the ball. "I agree," I say through the emotion building in my throat.

"I have one last alteration to make before tomorrow night, and I believe it will be perfect," she says, clapping her hands. "Go change so I can get to work."

I can't imagine what she thinks needs to be altered, but I don't put up a fight. She is obviously a clothing design genius.

With a look over my shoulder, I wave to the designer and step out into the hallway. I don't make it far beyond my exit when I slam into another body. Jolene's violet eyes meet mine. I make a move to step back but am trapped between her and the door.

"Sorry, Jolene," I say, trying to sidestep and move out of the way, but she doesn't budge.

"You took something of mine," she says, the lines of her pretty round face hardening.

"What?" I ask, rearing my head back. "What are you talking about? I haven't taken anything of yours."

"You have, and I want it back. I'll get it no matter what I have to do."

It feels like the walls are closing in on me, my chest rising and falling faster with the effort to breathe. Fuck, not now.

Sometimes anxiety, being in stressful, fight-or-flight situations like this can trigger my symptoms. I reach in my bag for my inhaler, pulling it out and holding it to my lips, taking a puff.

"Please, Jolene, leave me alone, all right? I just want to go back to my room."

She bares her teeth and for the first time, I realize that each of them is shaped in a sharp point. I can't help but shudder when I think how easily they would sink into my skin and rip it from my bones. "He promised it to me, and it is mine until he makes good on his side of the bargain. Give it back!"

I grip my inhaler and squeeze my eyes shut as I wait for her bite.

"Always getting yourself into trouble," says a calm deep voice. Elias. His cool hand wraps around my arm, sliding me through the small space and into his embrace.

"Tell her to give it back!" Jolene yells as we hurry away.

"Yeah, I don't think so."

I hold onto Elias until he pulls me into a quiet alcove with a bay window and padded seat. "Are you all right?" he asks, letting me go so he can look me over.

Taking one more puff of my inhaler, I nod and slide it back into my purse. "Yeah, she just scared me. What the fuck was that about? What does she think I took from her? I've only ever talked to her a handful of times!"

"Fairies have outlandish imaginations. They are known to be possessive of trinkets or flowers. I once heard of a fairy who was obsessed with a fall leaf because she loved the red tone of it. It is hard to tell what they feel attached to."

"Wow. Well, I didn't take her red leaf," I say, sitting back against the window and shaking my head. "How bizarre. Maybe she had me confused with someone else."

"I doubt it. You are not the type of woman that's mistaken for someone else." He crosses his arms and leans back on the edge of the window to my left.

"Funny you should say that. I had a dream last night in which I had a very difficult time figuring out who was you."

He lifts a brow and opens and closes his mouth. "Did you?"

"I did. Do you want to shed some light on it?"

"I thought it was obvious. I was the devastatingly handsome one."

"Of course." I roll my eyes but can't hold back my smile. "Do you want to tell me what that was all about?"

"My brother obviously has secrets that aren't mine to tell."

"That much is clear. But you seemed to have some secrets of your own. Or at the very least, some things you haven't fully shared with me. Or did I read that wrong?"

"I'm an open book, Cordelia. What do you want to know?"

"Who was the she you spoke about?"

"You."

"You're saying that both of you have a connection with me?"

He lifts a shoulder. "It would appear so if we are both present in your dreams. Not just anyone can break that barrier without your giving them access in some way."

The way he's speaking about this with such...nonchalance is a little strange. Like it isn't a big fucking deal that his brother is walking in my dreams.

"Elias, doesn't this...doesn't this bother you? Shouldn't it? I mean, that seems a little bit...dangerous? Or am I reading too much into this? Please set me straight if I am, obviously I don't know everything about my powers yet."

He slides down beside me and clasps his hands between his knees. "I spent the better part of my morning dissecting that same question."

"And your conclusion?"

"It is a shame that you don't comprehend just how powerful you are, Cordelia. Your dreams are yours to control. You can invite and disinvite anyone you please. You are a phenomenal creature who is tied down by your lack of knowledge about yourself. With your gift, you can control our realm and yours."

Control? I have that much power inside me, and no one ever told me? How did I live for twenty-two years not knowing what I am? A part of me feels like such a child when I should be settling into adulthood.

"Is that what had you hurrying to leave our bed this morning?"

One corner of his lips lifts into a sexy smirk. "I'd have no problem getting right back into it with you, just say the word."

I get to my feet and move in front of him. "Yeah?"

"Yeah," he says, his eyes roaming up and down my body, snagging on where my dress grazes my upper thighs.

I climb onto his lap, straddling him with one leg on either side of his waist, and I feel his desire beneath me. "You're already hard for me," I whisper, pressing my center against him.

"Cordelia," he groans, clenching his fists at his side. "I don't..."

"You had no problem letting someone watch us last night." I lick the sensitive skin below his ear, knowing how much it drives him wild.

"I couldn't keep my eyes off you. You were all I saw. Nothing else mattered."

Smiling against his skin, I kiss down his neck and up to his jawbone. "That's sweet. I'm the only one here now," I whisper, pulling back from him and looking down into his face. "No one's around...please...put your hands on me."

His hands slide to my waist and I press my lips to his. The fire that burns as our mouths meet rages through me. Hot with passion that lights me up until I'm a scalding flame. His tongue seeks mine like it is desperate for my cool touch, like I'm the only thing that can quench his thirst in our blistering heat. I grip his hair and my hips roll over his, needing to stoke the fire until we set this entire manor up in flames.

The sharp point of his fangs nicks my bottom lip. He presses his hard cock into the apex of my legs as a drop of my blood hits his tongue. Gods and goddesses strike me down. If this is just a taste of what it would be like to let him drink from me, I would let him drain every drop.

My lips move to his jaw and down his shoulder, stretching my neck in offering. I want to tantalize him until he can't resist, until he simply has to pierce my flesh and draw my blood into his mouth.

He sweeps his mouth over my pulse and gently kisses it. "We have to stop, Cordelia."

I groan and rest my forehead against his shoulder. "Why? Why do we have to stop?"

He chuckles and pats my ass, helping me to my feet. "You know why. And right at this moment, the biggest reason is because we're in the middle of the hallway. You really think I'd feed from you for the first time in the middle of the hallway in a window seat?"

I raise an eyebrow. "'For the first time?' So what you're saying is that there will be a first time?"

He tilts his head to the side and brings his palm to my cheek. The way his eyes roam over me is as if he is seeing me for the first time. Goosebumps rise along my arms and legs, and I lean into the gentle caress.

"The attraction we feel toward each other longs to be fed, and it will not be satisfied until your blood courses through me."

Well, then. "Well, let's make sure we satisfy that craving soon," I say, turning my head and kissing his palm.

He closes his eyes and inhales before saying, "That I can guarantee."

"Good." I glance at my watch and look up at the ceiling. "Ah, I have to meet Lorelai for coffee. Want to come?"

"Nah, I'm going to go back and take a quick shower before lunch. Tell her I said hello," he says. "Hurry back, though."

I nod and kiss him on the cheek. "I won't be long. Promise."