Page 36 of Into the Dawn
Every second he spent with her felt like a precious gift, and he wanted to make each moment last forever. The sparkle in her eyes when she looked at him and the warmth of her touch made him feel cherished and truly valued. He marveled at how someone could evoke such profound feelings in him. She made his heart swell with an intensity he had never known before. She was his mate, but he hadn’t been prepared to love her so deeply this quickly.
And with that came a hint of fear.
Because he knew he would never survive if something happened to her.
Chapter Twelve
The next timeKylie opened her eyes, she knew she was dreaming.
A misty white haze clouded her vision, but it soon cleared, leaving her with a view of a massive cavern that looked like it was straight out of one of the fantasy novels she loved to read. The cavern was large enough to have its own ecosystem, complete with clouds, trees with glowing leaves, vibrant flowers, and a large, glowing purple lagoon.
There was a soft, soothing breeze drifting through the massive space, and the air was perfumed with an exotic scent that smelled like spiced vanilla mixed with night-blooming flowers. The walls of the cavern had crystals imbedded into it that helped fill the dark and mysterious space with light. At first, she thought the crystals were simply reflecting the light coming from the trees, flowers, and lagoon, but she saw more light crystals casting a kaleidoscope of colors across the dark stone floor.
The sound of gently flowing water reached her, and she turned to see a small waterfall cascading into the lagoon. The surface of the lagoon rippled with the flowing water, changing the hue of the glow as it moved. It was as if she had stepped into a hidden world, untouched by time and filled with magic and wonder.
The otherworldly atmosphere of the cavern should have unnerved her, but she strangely felt comfortable in the extraordinary setting. She even had the urge to pick a piece of glowing fruit from one of of the trees and enjoy its flavor as she sprawled out on the bank of the lagoon.
“Feel free to try anything you like.”
Kylie spun around, and she gasped in shock when she saw the most radiantly beautiful female standing several feet away.The woman looked like a goddess, with ethereal features and a mass of silver curls that fell to her waist. Her glowing eyes were pools of swirling lavender that matched the color of the gorgeous gossamer gown draped over her stunning body and her skin glittered as if it was made up of moonlight and tiny diamonds.
As she slowly stepped closer, a shimmering halo appeared around her that seemed to grow brighter with every step. The air around her shimmered and hummed with a soft, melodic energy, adding to her powerful aura. She moved with impossible grace, every step fluid and lithe as if her feet were barely touching the ground.
Kylie’s eyes widened when she realized the female’s feet weren’t touching the stone floor. She actually was floating a few inches above the cavern floor.
“Welcome to the Isle of Dreams. I am Lunaria, Goddess of the Moons.”
Her enchanting voice was enthralling and soothing, like the gentle tinkling of crystal chimes. What she’d said finally registered in Kylie’s mind, and her mouth fell open in shock.
The magnificent being standing before her really was a goddess.
Looking at her, that was easy enough to believe. She had learned all about the Goddess of the Moons and the God of the Sun while she had been drifting in and out of Ronan and Dominic’s heads, but their description of the goddess didn’t do her justice. Then again, they had never met her in person so that made sense.
This really was a vivid dream.
Lunaria’s perfect lips curved into a beatific smile. “This may be a dream, but your spirit is actually here with me in the Isle of Dreams. It is a real place that exists between time and space, and our connection allowed me to bring you here to speak to me.”
“Our connection?”
“I will explain that to you in a moment. Come, let us dip our feet in the pool while we enjoy some of the wine I poured for us.”
As Kylie followed the goddess over to the edge of the pool, she realized that she was wearing a dress similar to the goddess, in a brilliant shade of green that matched her eyes. She sat down on one of the cushions that had been placed on the smooth rocks at the edge of the lagoon and was surprised when it felt as soft as a cloud.
The goddess settled gracefully beside her in one fluid motion, making her feel like an awkward, clumsy fool in comparison.
Lunaria chuckled softly. “Surely not.”
Kylie gulped. Obviously the goddess could read her mind, so she had to be careful not to unintentionally offend her somehow. Now that she had survived her illness, she really didn’t want to die in a dream. How in the world would she explain that to Ronan and Dominic?
“Have no fear, Kylie. You are free to think and say whatever you like here. Dip your feet in the water. It will refresh you.”
After a brief moment of hesitation, Kylie did as she suggested. The water was more like a gel than what she was used to. As soon as she slid her feet into it, she instantly felt more relaxed.
There was a jeweled decanter and two goblets of wine on a silver tray next to a tower of sliced fruit, delicate pastries, and tiny sandwiches set out between her and the goddess. While the glowing pieces of fruit looked a little radioactive, the tantalizing scents drifting from the food made Kylie’s mouth water.
Could she actually eat if she was just a spirit?
Willing to give it a try, she selected a small piece of blue fruit and popped it into her mouth. The flavor of the sweet fruit exploded on her tongue like sparkling juice. She had never tasted anything like it, and she immediately wanted another piece. Instead, she decided to try the wine.
