Page 120 of Crown of Briars
“Sybelle?”asked a voice.
I almost yelped in surprise, then quickly let go of my necklace. If the amber stones were somehow working on Varius, I couldn’t risk him intercepting any communication with my dragon.
I had no idea if anything Azure said to me would be overheard by Varius withhisstone.
Varius cocked his head at me, his eyes sweeping over my form. “Your heart is racing.”
“Can you blame me? You shook me awake like the castle was on fire. Was this all just because the stone was glowing?”
“No,” Varius said in a tight voice. “You also summoned shadows.”
I blinked. “I… summoned shadows?”
“Yes. Theywere not mine.”
“How can you be sure?”
He gave me a flat look. “Iknowmy magic, Sybelle. These shadows were thinner and bluer than mine. I had no control over them.”
I snorted. “You already have no control over your own shadows, Varius.”
“I havesomecontrol,” he said defensively.
I shook my head. “I don’t understand. How didIsummon shadows? Are you sure it was me? There are lots of other fae in this castle who might have access to that kind of magic.”
Varius stroked his chin, considering this. “You could be right.”
But none of this explained how Varius could hear my voice calling him through a stone in another room.
“When you heard my voice,” I said slowly, “what was I saying? Are you absolutely sure it was me?”
“Yes,” he answered quickly.Tooquickly.
I looked at him, but his gaze was fixed on the sheets as he fisted them in his hand.
“Varius,” I said.
Slowly, he met my gaze, his eyes guarded.
“What was I saying?” I repeated.
He swallowed, and his throat bobbed. “You—You were dreaming. I think.”
My stomach hollowed.Oh, shit.
“You said my name,” he said.
My eyes closed.No, no, no.
“I—” Varius coughed, then shifted his weight on the bed. “I’m fairly certain… you were dreaming about me… and…”
“Stop.” My voice came out strained. “Don’t—Don’t say any more.” My face was on fire. Stones, I wanted to disappear. I wanted to sink into the covers and bury my face until I died of shame.
“Sybelle.” His voice was gentle.
I winced. “Please don’t.” I couldn’t bear to look at him.
His warm hand pressed against mine, and I drew in a sharp breath.
