Page 416 of Primal Bonds

But instead, Rosana opened her mouth to gulp down the river’s fresh, clear water. It didn’t help—she was drier than ever.

Her heart sank. “This is just a dream,” she said sadly. “Because I need to shift and I can’t.”

Her dad faded away and now she only sensed Ula.

“It is a dream,” she agreed. “But I’m really here. Now open your eyes, alanna.”

“Mama?” In the dream-river, Rosana’s eyes popped open. To her surprise, it was nighttime. The water flowed silver around her. On the nearby bank, bare trees scratched at the rising moon.

But her parents were nowhere to be seen.

Don’t leave me. Please, don’t leave me.

Hot tears clogged her throat. She squeezed her eyes shut, willing them not to spill out.

Gentle fingers brushed her face. “Not those eyes, alanna. The eyes you use to See.”

“Go away.” Rosana shook off her mother’s hand. “You’re not really here. This is just some night-fae trick.”

“Oh, Rosie. You still haven’t learned the most necessary lesson.”

“Oh, yeah? And what’s that?”

“Trust,” Ula whispered.

“I do trust him. He loves me.” Her mouth curved. “He told me.”

“Ah, sweetheart. That’s wonderful. Trust between mates is a beautiful, necessary thing. But you also must trust yourself, trust your Gift.”

Rosana’s brows snapped together. “You sound like Colm. ‘Believe in yourself. If you don’t believe you can do it, then you can’t.’ But what good can my Gift do? It isn’t a weapon.”

“Oh, but it is. Touch him.”

She turned her head away. “Touch him? But I can’t See anything when I touch him. And how would it help anyway when we’re locked in this freaking cell?”

Hopelessness settled over her like a dark veil.

Ula moved uneasily. “I have to go now—I shouldn’t even be talking to you. But remember, Rosie. When you wake up, remember these words: Touch him.”

Then she was gone, and when Rosana forced her eyes open, she was in the cell with Adric pleading for her to drink.

To please him, she took a couple of sips. But she was so tired.

She closed her eyes, telling herself she’d only rest a minute…and slipped back into the dream-river.

Chapter 39

Dion spent another almost sleepless night. Tossing and turning. Staring at the ceiling. Listening to his brother do the same.

By morning, he’d decided to trade himself for Rosana, to hell with the consequences.

The instant the sun peeped above the horizon, he was out of bed. He pulled on his clothes, sliding Olivia’s bespelled dagger into his pocket.

Tiago raised his head to peer dully at him.

“Go back to sleep,” he said and his brother dropped his head back on the pillow.

Overnight, the wind had dropped and heavy clouds had moved in. A storm was coming, rain this time. A daylong downpour from the air’s scent and feel.

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