As Gwynith helped her get free of the covers, Selena wondered if it really was “just a dream.” There were Fae whose gift controlled sleep and dreams. Had one of them sent this nightmare to exhaust her, weaken her? Or had this dream come from the Sleep Sister herself as a warning? Right now, it didn’t matter. Right now, she needed earth and air and water.

“I’m going riding,” Selena said, surprised at how unsteady her legs felt as she got up and walked to the basin and pitcher of water. “I want to see a bit of Tir Alainn before I leave.”

“Leave?” Gwynith said, sounding alarmed. “Where are you going?”

Anywhere, as long as it wasn’t Tir Alainn.

She poured water into the basin, then sent a glimmer of fire through her fingers as she put them in the cold water, which warmed quickly. After stripping off her nightgown, she pulled the basin that served as a catchall from the shelf beneath the wash table and stepped into it. It would take a real bath to completely clean the smell of sour sweat off her skin, but she didn’t want to take the time for it. The sponge bath would have to do.

“Would you like company on your ride?” Gwynith asked hesitantly.

“Are you asking because you’d like to go riding or because you’re afraid some of the Fae here might try to throw me into the mist at the edge of the world?” She’d meant it as a biting tease—until Gwynith’s silence filled the room. The sponge dribbled water down her belly as she turned to face the other woman. “You think that’s possible, don’t you?”

Gwynith linked her fingers and twisted them. “Many of the Fae are upset that Dianna lost the challenge. Especially to someone who isn’t pure Fae.”

“Like Dianna,” Selena said, knowing by the puzzled look in Gwynith’s eyes that the woman didn’t understand why that was so amusing. “I’d be pleased to have your company on the ride.”

Gwynith hurried to the door and opened it just enough to stick her head out.

As Selena finished her quick wash, she heard a quiet rumble of a male voice responding to Gwynith’s murmurs.

“They’ll bring the horses,” Gwynith said, closing the door. “What do you want to wear?”

“The white outfit,” Selena replied as she dried herself. The Ladies of the Hearth had done a good job of cleaning the white trousers and overdress yesterday while she’d spent the day trying to get to know the other Ladies of the Moon as well as learn the ways of the Fae.

Cold, cold eyes.

Selena shivered.

Just a dream. She was no longer a child. Neither was Rhyann.