ya's

d gently, turning to me. "I'l

a nod. "

t? I wondered. I turned toward the adjoining door, curiosity

ged black stone embedded in the wall, like a waterfall, cascading into a small, glowing pool. How it worked, I didn't kn

ith crimson and onyx tiles. Small vines curled around the edges of the spa

pain of the road and stepped into the water. It was wa

on the bed. I chose a long robe gown, dark crimson silk with blac

ed meat, strange fruits that shimmered, and wine that sm

en made my way to the balcony

flickered against the darkness. I saw the captives, huddled in groups, ch

he shouldn't be taken somewhere far to work. That I woul

rs and then the main entrance to the room. My head hit the

ood at the foot of the bed, shirtless, watching me. A slow

onscious, my voice slurred with fatigue. Sleep dragge

way. He stepped closer,

ered. "Go to sle

rness, then bent low and pressed a kiss to my temple. His tou

was like my limbs no longer belonged to

, I was gone. Sleep pulled me into a nightm

ing things, their branches grabbing at me like claws. Blood poo

liar ones. Zevarion's

. I fought, I clawed, I screamed, but the hands gripped ti

appeared, and

ry, through madness. And somewhere in that void, a

long to

scream lodged

ke it was trying to escape. Cold sweat soaked my hairline and neck, and yet outsi

that ni

uctant to leave with the morning light. My limbs ached

s warm. It surprised me, nothing in this place felt warm, yet the water soothed my

me last night, the halls were already alive with

me in near unison, their voices like

ed sil

nervous eyes, gestured ahead. "

ched a vast dining hall. A long blackwood table gleamed beneath a chandeli

immaculately in a deep maroon coat, his hai

" he said warml

trailing behind. The nightmare clung to me. I

a piece of fruit like we were simply in

d. Then me

n my room l

missed it. His brows furrowed. "No," he said, voice ca

d, heart

You... you told me to sleep." The memory felt disto

t chuckle, un

m without permission. Even in the car

ce. He had helped me onto the horse, held my hand for bala

t have been. But his eyes held no guilt. Only

h? Or was this castle p

ed?" Xareth asked, lifting his cup to his li

ing the heavy bronze key in place, hearing the latch click. I had even left the key

ed, brows furrowing. "Ma

as your first night here. This castle plays tricks

m sorry for

d time to adjust. The energy of Crimso

window. Snow fell in soft spiral

ll night?" I a

e the snow. Crimson Dusk has long, bitter wi

f the captives, Zevarion, sleeping outside, shivering under open skies, stripp

ted like a dagg

sleep outside like animals? but I bit the

imself. "Feel free to explore. I'll return

ng him disappear

y vision, bright fruits, golden pastries, charred meat

crept up to the second floor. From a narrow stone balcony

they

he night. My heart clenched at the sight of Zevarion among them. His posture was firm, but

entourage of guards. He walked slowly through the courty

lear even from where I watched, his

serve inside the castle. And those c

s tokens of reward for loyalty. They were young, frail-looking, and terri

ew strong, able-bodied men to serve within th

came

him by the collar, dragging him away without a w

Zeva

landed on him. I watched with bate