Tethys felt her skin growing hot as he took the chance to whisper close into her ear. A surge of tense excitement waved through her stomach, and her throat felt dry. The sensations eased as he moved away, but they were still there, in lesser intensity.

He sat upon a throne of intertwined roots that rose up to receive him comfortably, and finally introduced himself as Vale, a Faerie of the Summer Court. Tethys was too distracted to pay much attention to the way he pronounced his name.

Vale leaned upon his hand and closed the doorway, waving for her to go, as though he himself had grown weary. He assured her that he would still be able to advise her when they were separate from this world.

Tethys felt the dreamworld slowly begin to dissolve around her, and she awoke in her own bed, heart beating quickly. She saw the first rays of sunlight beginning to stream through the windows. Had all of that really just happened?

She touched the amulet she was still wearing, just to be sure. It glowed faintly, and Vale’s words echoed through her head. [i] I will still be with you during your awakening...[/i]