by Unknown
“Yes, I've had to learn quite a bit about Faerie lately. You know, when I first started hunting,” I turned to look at Thor, “you told me not to mention the fey. I was under the impression that the gods didn't like faeries but it seems like I've been hearing more and more gods sing their praises lately.”
“The fey were different back then, Vervain,” Thor sighed. “You were horrified by what the dark fey were doing in Gig Harbor but what you failed to realize is that it was perfectly normal behavior for fey. I wasn't the least bit surprised by it.”
“No, they're not like that at all,” I protested. “That's not normal behavior.”
“Minn Elska,” Trevor laid a hand on my arm. “Think back to when you first met them. You had a different perspective then.”
“Because I didn't know them.”
“Because you hadn't influenced them yet,” Trevor corrected and Thor nodded.
“You've changed them greatly, Vervain,” Thor leaned forward and looked at me earnestly. “You have no idea what kind of havoc they used to wreck upon mankind. I spent a great deal of time protecting humans from faeries. That's why I feared their return. The dark fey are new, you haven't had enough time with them yet. They're acting instinctively, doing what's in their natures to do.”
“I don't believe that fey natures are monstrous,” I kept protesting. “I'm a fey.”
“I didn't find them monstrous,” Nuada shrugged. “A little mischievous maybe.”
“Nuada,” Thor looked at him and shook his head. “You know as well as I that the fey were dangerous to humans.”
“They had their place,” Nuada shrugged. “Nature can be harsh and so can the fey. It's their way.”
“See?” Thor waved a hand toward Nuada while he stared at me.
I thought back to when I'd first met the fey. Thor and Trevor were right, it hadn't been so long ago that I'd had to kill a goblin to stop him from turning me into soup. I had been terrified of the fey back then. They were so alien, not just their looks and behavior but the way they thought and reasoned. I couldn't understand them. When had that changed?
“Okay,” I finally gave in. “But they're different now.”
“I'm glad they've changed,” Thor said but his eyes looked concerned.
“Do you know the High King of Faerie?” Nuada veered us off the touchy subject of fey nature.
“Yes. King Cian.” I had a tight feeling in my gut over what Thor had said but I tried to let it go.
“He's still alive, eh?” Nuada grinned. “He enchanted my dogs, gave them a touch of Spirit.”
“They're fey hounds?” I leaned closer and one of them focused his blue eyes on me. A shine passed over the iris. “How wonderful.”
“Yes,” Nuada looked thoughtful. “We've just had a litter and I'd like to send a pup over to King Cian as a present. Would you take it for me?”
“Of course but why don't you come along and see him yourself?” I offered.
“To Faerie?” Nuada sat up straighter. “Do you think he would allow me through?”
“Do you have a mirror handy?” I grinned. “And some eyebright? We can ask him.”
“Yes, of course,” he laughed. “I hadn't thought of that. I'll mirror him later. Thank you, Vervain. Now, as far as your dreamer goes, was his skin dark or pale?”
“Pale,” I said immediately.
“Then I can tell you the group of dream gods he's a part of,” Nuada nodded grimly, “though which one of the three I can't be certain of. They're brothers, sons of the god Hypnos.”
“The Oneiroi,” I finished.
“Yes,” Nuada nodded. “They're dark haired men with light skin, all three of them.”
Chapter Fifty
When we got back to Pride Palace, no one else had returned. So Trevor and I curled up in front of the TV and watched The Big Bang Theory before going to bed. I wasn't about to head into the Greek Underworld without back up, and especially not without Hades. When everyone reported back, we could make a plan and head in after the Oneiroi.
I dreamed I was in Rivendell, in an ethereal, airy bedroom with sweeping arches imitating natural elements. I stood on a balcony overlooking the rest of the elven city and smiled to myself, thinking how ironic it was that a Faerie Queen would dream of an elven city.
“This place suits you,” a voice came from behind me and I turned to see Legolas.
“Really?” I laughed. “Legolas. You choose Legolas?”
“I thought I'd try to fit in with these surroundings,” Vex shrugged with a smile. “Don't you like Legolas?” He sauntered forward and leaned against the railing beside me.
“Look, I'm sorry about the other night,” I brushed aside his teasing. “It shouldn't have happened. You caught me in a very vulnerable moment.”
“That kiss was spectacular and you know it,” he whispered.
“You know, you don't have to try to seduce me to get my friendship,” I put a hand gently on his shoulder. “I know you're lonely, just stop killing humans and I'll help you. We can be friends. I'll introduce you to the God Squad, maybe you'll even decide to join us.”
For the briefest second, his face softened into a wistful look but then he blinked and seemed to snap out of it. He took a deep breath and looked out over the amazing scenery. Towering trees rivaled the height of the buildings and a pristine river flowed through it all. He looked back at me sideways, a strange glimmer in his eyes.
“Why don't you believe that I'm interested in you?”
“Because you've implied it,” I shrugged. “No biggie, I know what I look like and I 'm happy with my appearance. It's just difficult to be around goddesses so often. Even with the enhancement I get from my magic, I can't compete with their kind of perfection. I get it and I'm not offended.”
“You're appearance is actually quite lovely but there's more to you than that,” he frowned. “I've seen more in you and I like it.”
“Well I haven't seen any of the real you at all,” I huffed. “And my plate is a little full right now. I can't add another man.”
“Love looks not with the eyes but with the mind. You know me, as I have come to know you,” he insisted. “The real me, beyond my face or name. Those things are unnecessary for attraction.”
“I agree but I think you're only attracted to me because I'm the first woman who you've stopped to really talk to. You'll meet more, I promise.”
“I could give you the greatest pleasure you've ever known,” he slid a hand down my delicate elven dress and a tingle coursed up my arm, making me suck in a startled breath. “Here, I can be whatever you wish, you can be whomever you wish. We can explore every fantasy within your heart. No judgments, no restrictions. I could make love to you under the sea without drowning, in the air without falling, or in your river of lava without burning.”
“Um,” I made an embarrassed grimace. “I've actually done two out of three of those already.”
“What?” He blinked in shock.
“Yeah, never mind,” I waved it away. “I can't be with you like that but we can be friends.”
“I don't want to be your friend,” he huffed. “I want more.”
“How can you stand here and ask me for a relationship when I don't even know your name? I'm tired of calling you Vex, it's beginning to vex me.”
“Fine,” he slashed his hand through the air. “You want to know me? Know my face and name? Come with me beyond the Gates of Horn and I will drop my illusions. I'll be as I am, as you want to see me.”
“The Gates of Horn?” I frowned, a shiver coursing through me.
“There are two paths for me into the Realm of Dreams,” he continued to dish out the information. I was shocked. “The Gates of Horn are used to bring good dreams, prophetic dreams and such. The Gates of Ivory are for false images and nightmares.”
“Isn't ivory a type of horn?”
“What?” He blinked at me. “No, it's tusks and teeth, horn is more like fingernails.”
“Oh,” I took a deep brea
th. Here was a chance to end his haunting of my dreams and show him that we really could be friends. How could I get him to trust me if I didn't trust him first? “Okay, show me this fingernail gate.”
“Really?” He looked surprised.
“Sure, why not?”
Before we could go anywhere, the dream shifted. I was standing on a dais, a throne of twisted branches and flowering vines rising up behind me. A meadow stretched before me, filled with elves. They were tall, elegant, and so very beautiful. Then they bowed in unison and knelt.
“Did you do this?” I looked over at Vex.
“No,” he whispered. “This is all you.”
“Why would I dream about a bunch of elves bowing to me?” I wondered aloud and then shook my head. “I've obviously spent too much time dreaming. I'm getting illusions of grandeur. Let's get out of here.”
“Then take my hand,” he held out his palm and I took it.
Everything faded away and the misty room with the veils formed around us. It looked the same except now there was a soaring gate made out of the horns of animals. The horns flowed together gracefully, weaving a delicate design of cream and golden brown. The hinges were gold and when we got closer, I saw that they were set into stone, a deep blue stone that faded back into mist. Vex pushed the gate open and we walked through.
Where I promptly fell to my knees, gasping.
It felt as if I couldn't breathe but I slowly realized that wasn't it. I didn't actually need to breathe, my body was doing that for me, but then that was the problem. I was cut off from my body. I couldn't feel my magic, my beasts, nothing. I was powerless. I looked up in dawning horror, seeing the image of Legolas fall away as I did so.
In his place stood a man as different from Legolas as you could get. He had a trim build but it was muscular, not a man you would ever mistake for a couch potato. Strong legs set in a wide stance, arms crossed over his chest, he stared down at me with eyes of blue mist, the same mist I'd seen in the Realm of Dreams. His mouth was a harsh line above his lifted chin, his nose was like a blade set into his face, a sharp edge bisecting him. He had that dangerous look again. A tightness around his eyes and mouth that spoke of hard decisions made over and over until they became easy.
Behind him, rose a pair of black wings. They spread out as I watched, stretching and shivering like they'd been restrained too long. Scattered across the inky feathers were sparkling spots, they glowed and brightened, twinkling. Stars. I recalled how he'd floated down in that first dream, like he was falling from the sky, but it wasn't the sky, it was his wings.
“You look familiar,” I narrowed my eyes on him. “Have you tortured me before?”
“Wha-,” he sputtered. “No.”
“Okay then.”
“Welcome to the Land of Dreams,” he recovered his poise and helped me up. “I'm Morpheus and I'm lord here.”
“Morpheus?” I was still gasping a little but each moment gave me a little more ease. “Like in The Matrix?”
“What?”
“The movie, you know, where all the humans are hooked up to a machine? They're basically batteries.”
“Yes, I know the movie,” he huffed a laugh. “The character was named after me, obviously. The matrix was like a dream, thus Morpheus. I'm very famous, you know.”
“Oh, I'm sure you are,” I nodded. “Laurence Fishburne played you.”
“No, I was famous before Fishburne!” He growled.
“Famous before Fishburne,” I grinned. “I like it, sounds like a good name for a band.”
“Vervain,” he rolled his eyes.
“How can we be in the Land of Dreams when we just came out of the Realm of Dreams?”
“The Realm of Dreams is where people dream,” he explained. “The Land of Dreams is my territory.”
“Ah,” I looked around. “The Land of Dreams is in a cave?”
“No,” he shook his head in obvious irritation. “This is my home.”
“You live in a cave?” I asked, even more appalled.
“Oh, come along, Vervain,” he wrapped my hand around his arm and led me through the cave tunnel and out into a beautiful living room. There were Persian rugs on the black marble floor, heavy couches of wood with thick velvet cushions, soaring shelves of books, crystal chandeliers, and an enormous television. I gaped.
“Now this is more like it,” I nodded in approval.
“It's nice, isn't it?” He smiled warmly, rubbing my hand with his fingers. “I share it with my brothers, Phobetor and Phantasus. You'll meet them later.”
“Oh, okay,” I looked around as he led me through a door at the far end of the living room. “I don't know how long I can stay though.”
“Don't worry about that,” he waved his hand. “This is the dining room, and there is the kitchen. We have several bedrooms but this is mine,” he opened the door and led me into a spacious room done in a Gothic style. The carpeting was red, the bed wrought iron with black curtains, the furniture heavy and imposing, and there were no windows.
“Are you sure this isn't Dracula's bedroom?” A haunting cry of some forlorn animal cut through the silence right on cue. “Listen to them. Children of the Night,” I teased with a thick Dracula accent. “What music they make!” Then he shut the door behind us with an ominous click which echoed the serious expression on his face. My stomach clenched. “Morpheus?”
“I hope that means you like the room,” he strolled over to the large fireplace and stoked the banked fire with a poker from a nearby stand. It flared to life, casting dramatic shadows over his face. His eyes brightened within the shadows, the mist of his irises swirling hypnotically. I felt myself sway, then fall, but he was there to catch me. “You'll be staying for a very long time, Vervain. Forever, in fact.”
He laid me on the bed, silk blankets sliding against my flesh as I felt my clothing fall away. I panicked, trying to move but I realized that without my powers or my body, he was in control. Then I was clothed again, more silk against my skin, and I looked up to see him above me.
“Now I can really get to know you,” he placed his hands against my temples and I felt him invade my soul.
I screamed but there was no sound.
Chapter Fifty-One
Years or maybe hours later, I panted heavily, still draped across the bed in my new gown of black silk. Morpheus lay beside me, stroking a hand over my belly in lazy circles. He'd taken every memory I had and examined it, every nuance, every feeling. I've never felt so violated, so exposed. This was nothing like bonding with Trevor or sharing blood with Arach, there was no gentle sharing involved. This was pure theft. He'd stolen all that was me and drank it down like fine wine.
The worst was, I'd had to experience it all with him, my life flashing by at an insane speed as he gulped it down. Every hurt and heartache felt again, from torture to death, as well as every blissful moment of happiness and pleasure. He experienced them all with me, like a parasite in my head and heart.
“I've never felt so close to someone,” he laid his head down on the pillow beside mine and pulled my limp body against his. “I feel like I'm a part of you now.”
“How can you even touch me when I have no real body here?” I whispered, trying to keep myself from crying. If I had a real stomach, I'd be throwing up all over his Dracula bed.
“I'm the God of Dreams,” he laughed, placing a kiss on my paralyzed neck. “In my land, I can make you as substantial as I want.”
“Dreams aren't real,” I growled.
“Reality is not real,” he countered. “Not here. Here, reality is an illusion.”
“Albeit a persistent one,” I finished the quote.
“What?” He looked down at me with interest.
“That's an Albert Einstein quote,” I rolled my eyes. “Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a persistent one.”
“Oh yes,” he thought about it and I realized he was looking through my thoughts.
“Stop that,” I tried to break free. “Release me from thi
s, this... whatever you've done to me.”
“Will you promise not to panic?”
“I think I'm beyond panicking at the moment,” I was just barely controlling the urge to scream actually.
“Alright,” he stroked a hand down my body and I was suddenly able to move.
I jerked away from him and jumped off the bed.
“Vervain, you promised,” he was so calm it was terrifying.
“Why have you done this?” I thought maybe I could reason with him. “I've done nothing to you but offer you help and friendship.”
“I want you,” he said simply.
“Well that's just fantastic, Mr. Selfish,” I snapped. “You've been in my head, so you know of all the people who depend on me. Keeping me here will hurt them. Don't you care?”
“Yes actually,” he frowned. “I've felt what you feel for them. I think I do care.”
“Good,” I heaved a sigh of relief. “Just let me go and we can put this behind us.”
“We'll work something out,” he shrugged.
“What?” My heart fell.
“I'm sure we can find a way to share you,” he grinned, his dangerous face looking almost psychopathic with that smile. “Just like you worked out an arrangement with the Faerie King and your angel. It will be perfect.”
“You've lost your damn mind,” I accused. “This is what comes from invading another person's thoughts. You're freaking crazy.”
“Vervain,” he sighed and stood up. “I'm as sane as any god. I think maybe you need some time to calm down,” He touched me and I lost control again. I fell into his waiting arms, his swirling eyes above me, blocking out everything else.
When I awoke, I was sitting in a thickly padded armchair in front of a roaring fire. I blinked away the cobwebs, frowning at the white stone of the mantle and the vase of red poppies on it. There were no photographs, only a silver chalice and a silver knife displayed on one of those wood holders that held the knife upright. Had I fallen asleep in someone's home? I felt so strange, like my head was muffled, I couldn't hear or see right.