“Thank you for coming here with me today. I wanted my festival gift to you to be memories. This place is special to me, both because of my gift and because of the Light. And since you are also special to me, I wanted to share it with you.”

Selene’s throat grew tight as she gazed into his eyes. “Thank you.” If only she had something to share back.

He smiled, and it was like the sun breaking through the clouds. “Always. Now, we should get back to the castle before we freeze—and before Taegis realizes I’m gone.” He winked at her.

She nodded. He took her hand and started toward the path at the back of the cavern. Behind them, the waves resumed their natural ebb and flow.

Once again she felt like her heart would burst inside of her. It was the same exhilaration she felt the first time she changed into a raven and flew within the dreamscape. Never had she imagined she would end up with a partner like Damien. The best she had hoped for was a man whom she could at least respect. And she got so much more.

They exited the tunnel and walked toward Northwind Castle. Selene turned her mind back toward Damien’s words about the Light. When he was raising the water and speaking of the Light, it was almost as if his very soul had shone through his body, like a flame in a paper lantern. He was beautiful, inside and out.

It was something she longed for as well. She wanted the same thing he carried inside of him. And yet . . .

And yet it was terrifying. His description of the vastness and the glory of the Light had made her heart tremble. How could a person like her enter such a presence, especially when she had misused her gift in such a terrible way? She felt stuck between the darkness of her past and the light of her future.

She furrowed her brow. Was it possible her recurring dream was a manifestation of her vacillation? Was her dreamscape a threshold of sorts? A part of her wanted to find the light, and yet a part of her was afraid to take that next step. And so the light was always out of reach.

Was she stopping herself from finding the light in her dream? If so, what would happen if she actually let go and gave herself over to the Light?

28

As the evening of the Festival of Light approached, the excitement around Northwind Castle and Nor Esen grew. Lights were lit all over the castle and the smell of roasting meats, bread, and spices filled the hallways. Everyone had a smile on their face, even Karl, which caught Selene by surprise as the usually surly guard greeted her in the hallway with a bow. It changed his features, softening his face, and made him appear younger than usual.

“Good evening, Lady Selene.”

“Karl. Good evening.”