Frozen Tides (Falling Kingdoms 4)

It took a small eternity before the darkness of sleep finally claimed her.

But soon that darkness brightened, transforming itself into a familiar meadow. Standing there before her was a handsome young man in shimmering white robes.

No, not tonight, she thought. She couldn’t bear to face him tonight.

Lucia turned in a quick circle, frantically searching for an escape but already knowing she was trapped.

“It’s been some time, Lucia,” Timotheus said. “How have you been?”

“Go away. Let me wake up.”

“Has the fire Kindred been behaving himself?”

She wondered what he knew, what he’d seen. What he might be able to read in her sleeping mind. His confident posturing here, in this place over which he had complete control, intimidated her.

Lucia forced a smile, but didn’t try to make it look friendly. “Kyan’s just wonderful, thank you for asking.”

His lips stretched out to a thin smile. “I’m sure he is.”

She let out a sigh of frustration. “This is the second dream you’ve pulled me into. What’s your reason tonight? Other than wanting to annoy me.”

“Have you forgiven Alexius for deceiving you?”

Once again, the sound of his name was a blow. “I’ll never forgive him.”

“He deserves better than for you to hate him for Melenia’s choices.”

Her eyes began to sting with tears, which only infuriated her further. “That’s a matter of opinion.”

“One day you’ll forgive him for leaving you to make stupid, selfish decisions all by yourself.”

“Oh, Timotheus, this verbal abuse only makes me hate you more.”

“You have no reason to hate me.”

“Kyan does.”

“Perhaps. But you are not Kyan.” Timotheus leaned against the apple tree and studied her with his ancient golden eyes. “So. Why have I brought you into another dream, you wonder? Especially after the poor impression you left me with the first time?”

“I’m not the only one who left a poor impression.”

Timotheus ignored her jab and went on. “I brought you here again because I believe Alexius truly loved you—even before he knew you were the prophesied sorceress. I knew Alexius, better than anyone else, and he wouldn’t have given his love to someone who didn’t possess true worth. He died to save your life.”

Timotheus’s unexpected words were like a hand thrusting through her chest and tearing out her beating heart.

She opened her mouth to retort, but found herself unable to find the words. Instead, the burning sensation in her eyes intensified.

“Tell me, Lucia. Are you finding much joy in the death and destruction you leave in your wake? Do the screams of the innocents Kyan kills lighten your heart, give you strength? Make you feel powerful?”

His harsh words—words that resounded so strongly with the doubts within her heart—made her breath catch in her chest. But she wouldn’t let him get to her. If she didn’t stay strong, she knew she’d lose all remaining control over herself.

“Tell me, Timotheus,” she said. “Do I frighten you?”

He raised a brow. “You? Frighten me?”

“Does the thought of what I did to Melenia keep you up at night, knowing I might be out in the darkness, waiting to bring about an end to your offensively long existence?”

“Not nearly as much as you might wish to believe.” Timotheus watched her for a very long time, his gaze steady on hers. “You should know that even when Eva was at her weakest, she never lost faith in our mission to protect the world. She’s the only one of our kind I ever trusted completely. Even after she fell in love with a mortal.”