All out of arguments, I shuffled to my bedroll. Before going to sleep, I checked on the plague patients. A convulsion shook Private Jannes. He had reached stage three and only had two more days left to live. Two of the most hellish days in his life. I’d experienced what he now faced and knew dying would be a relief. I mixed a draught of pain and sleep powders for him, hoping to ease his final hours.

After Jannes gulped the medicine down, I eyed the sleep powder. If I drank a weak dose, would it keep Tohon away? Or would it prevent me from waking up and escaping Tohon?

And then an idea popped into my head. Noak had said I knew where to find Tohon in my heart. What if that worked for other information? Would Tohon know what Cellina’s been up to? Would he tell me? Only one way to find out. Ugh.

Unhappy with the prospect of encouraging Tohon in my dreams but unable to pass up the opportunity to learn more, I slid under my blanket. After that, I don’t remember even resting my head on the pillow.

“So now you believe me, my dear.” Tohon poured a cup of tea and handed it to me. “I’ve been telling you for months. But it appears the ice giant from the wildlands has more credibility than me.” He huffed as if affronted then settled across the table. Tohon peered at me over the rim of his steaming cup. His deep blue eyes held a predatory glint.

Glad for the table between us, I sipped my tea. The sunlight reflected off the squares of colored glass embedded in the table’s clear glass top. We sat in Tohon’s forever garden. Constructed on the roof of his castle in Sogra Realm, the rectangular glass room contained a variety of leafy trees, lush bushes, hanging vines, and even pools of water. The humid air held the thick scent of living green mixed with the sweet aroma of flowers. Minus Tohon, it was a perfect place.

I glanced at the beauty surrounding us. “Will all this die when it turns cold?” The first day of winter was four days away.

He raised an eyebrow. “Why would you think that?”

“Because you’re...”

“Trapped in a stasis?”

“Yes.”

“It’s different for me. I’m a life magician, so while my body is frozen, my mind and my magic remain active. Otherwise we wouldn’t be talking.” He gestured with his free hand. “These trees will continue to thrive as long as I live.”

I considered. “But don’t you need to be nearby?”

He smiled his killer smile, flashing white teeth. “I am, my dear. This is where Cellina has dumped me. I’m not complaining. It is my favorite spot.”

Yet he used the word dumped. Interesting. However, he gave me an excellent opening. “Do you talk to Cellina in her dreams, as well?”