Maxine’s mother and stepfather do not seem to be particularly concerned with Finn, who has taken up indefinite residence in one of their many guest rooms. This is something I’m learning about the wealthy: when you don’t do your own housework, houseguests mean very little.

Finn breaks Maxine’s fourth rule and delights Nina by pulling a quarter from behind her ear. Maxine levitates her steak knife just slightly off the table. It hovers there as a threat. Finn just laughs as if it’s all one massive joke. It makes me lose what little appetite I had left.

We spend the day at the carousel with Nina. She laughs as it spins and spins, her skirts whipping around her.

Finn doesn’t show up for dinner and I know I should be nervous about where he is, but I’m just glad not to have to look at him.

Later that night, I drift off to sleep with a book on my chest and the lights still on, waiting to hear his footsteps in the hall.

I fall into the dream like a bucket of cold water is being dumped on my head.

It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust to the darkness in this dream space. Slowly it comes into focus, lush tree branches reaching across a navy-blue sky, low bushes scratching at my legs. And all at once, I know I’m in the woods of Forest Park.

I hear him before I see him. I remember this part so well, the heavy footfall of his boots crunching through the underbrush, the way it used to set my heart fluttering.

“You could have just knocked on my door,” I say. “You’re only three rooms away.”

He’s holding a lantern, wearing hand-knit gloves. “The door was locked.”

“So you did try?” The thought of him creeping through the dark hall and pulling at my door makes me want to scream.

He tilts his head as he considers me, like he’s debating something internally. “I did try to visit you,” he confesses. He must see the question in my face; why now? It’s been over a year since I last saw him in my dreams, why wait until we’re sleeping on the same hall to return? “But even after I got my power back, I couldn’t seem to manage it. Maybe it was the distance or the magic itself, but… you must know I never stopped trying.”

“Why?” I breathe. I don’t know if I’m asking why he’s speaking to me now or why he never stopped trying.

“I need to speak with you,” he answers simply.

“Then speak,” I snap. I don’t have time for his moony stares.

“I’m not sure how much time we have, the magic…” He doesn’t need to explain to me of all people just how difficult it’s been.