I slept fitfully last night. I had my first True Dream in what felt like ages. I was in the throne room, dressed in white, a bride. But it didn’t look like the throne room does these days. This was the throne room of my childhood, the dark and frightening place of mocking laughter and cold eyes.

“Such a beauty,” a cold female voice echoed, “yes, yes, he chose well.” I swallowed and looked at the throne, Annalise didn’t sit there, but instead a woman, skin whiter than any I’d ever seen, with eyes blazing in fire. I was frozen. “And to take you from my darling sister at that, will be satisfying.”

“I serve Rana,” I whispered, “not you. She will protect me.” She laughed then.

“Your faith in my sister is charming,” she stood up and walked over to me. “But I am Amina, queen of darkness and hell, and you will bear my sword. Rana knows this, deep down, it’s why she gifted you with such power.” I swallowed as she lifted my chin, her hands cold. “And you will only grow more powerful, Marina, daughter of Anne. He will show you so much more.”

“You’ve forsaken Brayton,” I whispered. She laughed again.

“Yes,” she said, “I have forsaken Brayton as my champion, but I still require him for you. For the child.” I woke up in a cold sweat. I ran didn’t walk across the apartment and into Annalise’s room. She already standing at the door. I saw Tristan sitting in her bed.

“You saw?” I whispered. She nodded and hugged me. “You were there?”

“Yes,” her voice trembled, “Marina, when I was hoping to Dream of your wedding that wasn’t quite what I meant.” I blinked. “Your wedding to Brayton, I Saw it.”

“No,” I whispered, “no, I,” I started shaking. We walked back into the sitting room. “I was before Amina.” Annalise swallowed, “she touched me, I,” Tristan sat down next to me and took my hands. “I was dressed for a wedding though.”

“She hasn’t foresaken him then?” Annalise asked.

“He’s no longer blessed,” I said and swallowed, “but she still wants him as the father.”

“Father?” Tristan said. I nodded. “I don’t understand, Lisette?”

“Brayton had a theory,” Annalise said harshly, “I had hoped it was only a theory, but now. Amina needs a vessel, like I am for Rana.”

“And Marina’s to be the mother,” he said, “and Brayton the father.” She nodded. “And you two kept this secret and kept him alive?”

“You would have had us debate it in council?” Annalise said. “We couldn’t kill Brayton while he had the blessing.”

“Besides which,” I said, “it’s not your concern.”

“Not my,” he stuttered, and put his hand to my face, “Rina, you are my concern, your safety, your,” he stopped.

“No,” I said quietly, “no, Tristan, for everything that we are to each other, could have been or whatever it is. That part of me isn’t yours, none of it.” I looked at Annalise. “He has to die and we have to figure out freeing Rana and Cornan. There’s no hope without that.”

“All that studying you do,” Tristan looked at me, “you still haven’t found anything.” I shook my head.

“It isn’t the only thing I’m studying,” I whispered. “I wish my father hadn’t gone.”

“I’ll write to them in the morning,” Annalise said softly. “I need Anselm, he can’t stay away any longer.”

“He won’t like that,” Tristan said. She laughed darkly.

“He never likes anything,” she said, “but what good is being queen if I can’t get my revenge for years of horrible magic training.” I laughed at that, and was suddenly sad, missing Sister Mara, my first teacher. “I have to talk about it with what’s left of the council in the morning. Without Olivia, Martin, Aaron or Uncle Les, that leaves you two, and Athena and Wyatt and Artia.”

“You know what Athena will say,” Tristan sighed, “she’ll want to swing the axe herself.” Annalise nodded. There was something satisfying in the image, of Athena Dugarry, striking down the enemy.

“I’m going for a walk,” I said softly. Annalise nodded. I found myself wandering the market and then to the harbor. The Prince’s Glory was docked there, and I noticed that Lefty was standing on the deck. I walked up to it.

“Well hello,” he smiled and walked to greet me.

“You’re up early,” I said.

“We take turns, checking on the ship,” he explained. “Would you like to see her?” I nodded and took his hand as I boarded. I found myself in his arms. I felt safe and steady for the first time in days. “Are you alright?”

“No,” I whispered, “but I want to see your home, you’ve seen mine.” He raised an eyebrow.

“Alright,” he smiled and we walked across the ship. “We first got her three years ago. Eric was made a captain immediately, and the ship was a gift from Queen Elana.” I smiled. “Do you know anything about ships?”

“Not a thing,” I whispered. “She’s very beautiful though.” He laughed and we walked down a small staircase, and into a tiny room. “Yours?” He nodded. “Am I the first girl you’ve had here?”

“Here, certainly,” he leaned against the door frame as I walked into the room. “You seem preoccupied.” I stretched my hand out and he came to me.

“Distract me then,” I whispered. He smiled and kissed me. I lay down underneath him.

“Goddess,” he whispered, “I’m in deeper trouble with you than I’ve ever been in my life.” I smiled.

“I’ve known this sort of trouble before,” I said, “but not the other thing, so I guess we can help each other.” He grinned and kissed me again. I was lost in him, and I knew in that moment, I would always be.