7

THE TRINE COUNCIL

Father appeared as a shadow looming over me.

"Camille…" he sighed, the painful truth in his stone, blue eyes. "I'm very disappointed in you."

I've never felt so tiny before. I shivered, as though his shadow dropped the temperature in that one spot over me, casting me away on a tiny dark island in the middle of our gleaming ballroom. I clasped my shaky hands, practically begging him for forgiveness.

"I'm sorry. I didn't, I mean, I didn't know I would cause trouble…" I gasped, afraid to look him in the eye.

Father turned away, giving me a view of his long, royal cape, acting as King instead of a parent when he decided to shun me.

"We shall see what the Trine Council has to say," he mumbled, and left it at that.

He began to disappear between tall, double doors.

I paled, reaching for him.

"Father, wait! Please, hear me out!"

The doors closed.

Light seemed to have followed him because the chandelier dimmed to nothing. The sun soon went along with them, vanishing. All the light faded, until I gasped in the dark void.

I was alone.

"Please," I breathed, my heart thumping hard. I began to rub at my chest when is vibrations were too much, and then I got dizzy. I bowed my head, eyes burning. At any moment, something was going to reach out and claw at me. Red eyes will appear, glaring and jaws opening with hisses, ready to take a chunk in my arm or leg, I just know it. I panicked, afraid to move but also afraid to stay in one spot, paralyzed with fear.

I could hear them, their long claws tapping against the marble, followed by hissing.

"Camille," she groaned.

Mother.

I ran towards her strained voice, seeing nothing nor feeling anything as I went. Marble turned into rough rock, my slippers falling into puddles.

"Mother, I'm here," I called, searching for her in the dark. Were those goblins taking her away, just like before? I quickened my step, rushing through while reaching, in case I were to bump into something, and shouted, "Mother, where are you?"

She was calling for me to help her, I could hear it in her voice.

Flames grew, until I recognized the familiar wall torches from that previous dream. Soft, yellow light gave way to that familiar giant door, making me stop just a few feet from it before looking up with a lift of my head almost all the way back, until I couldn't tilt it anymore.

The curved dragon symbol mocked me with its mystifying meaning, uncertain where it's from or what it meant. The mysterious door stood before me, a blockade to where I knew, Mother was captive. Her voice came from behind that door, as though it slipped under the tiniest of cracks it could possibly give. Her voice merged with the dampen air, or crawling along the walls as though she was all around me, a ghost of my memories.

"Camille, please, set me free," she begged, like a dying breeze. I gazed upon the door's locking mechanisms, spotting a keyhole in a thick padlock of iron. Even if I were to find this door while awake, how could I even open it? It seemed out of context with the rest of Slumberland, a foreign place along the edge of this realm.

I shook my head.

"I don't know how," I whined.

"The key," Mother desired. I imagined her weak hands clinging to the door just on the other side, her head against it, hair wild, eyes red, and with cheeks so white. Her long, bony fingers could be clawing over the wood, growing splinters under her nails.

"Please," she dragged in a long wail, having enough of her prison.

"Mother, where? Where is the key?" I asked, walking up to press my hands against the sturdy wood. Was she really only just a few feet from me? Were her hands aligned with mine? What was it like on the other side? Dark, horrid and cold?

I pressed my ear to it, whispering, "I miss you."

Her reply was loud banging. It was so distressing, I immediately pulled my ear away from it after my skull vibrated abruptly.

"Find the key! Find the key!" she boomed, suddenly not sounding like mother, but a hungry beast with a faint woman's voice. It was so unheard of, I curled into myself, shrinking away from such a change of character.

Slowly, I stepped backwards, wheezing as I did. All the while, mother, I think it was her, kept demanding, "Find the key! Find the key!" over and over like a broken record player.

The farther I drifted away from this stranger with mother's voice, the foggier my world became, until all that was left was a dark fog, sucking me in as I unintentionally stepped into it backwards. Slithers of dark wisps coiled, clouding the door until it was no longer in sight, but I could still hear the booming. That mighty boom echoed in my ears, following the pace of my heart with aggression.

The banging followed.

I opened my eyes, startled to still hear it, and felt a little disoriented upon waking up. It has been a rough first day back home, my immediate meeting with Father carved into the nightmare that I just endured. I feared he was banging at my door, or perhaps mother's vicious voice followed, banging still to let her out.

My eyes fluttered, slowing waking up more, but the banging continued, until I processed it to be coming from the doors of my room.

"Camille, I'm coming in," muffled Bonbon's voice.

I rolled on my back, a perspired arm draped over my forehead, and squinted up to the familiar chandelier of stars above. They didn't twinkle, just frozen in place, which only heightened my anxiety when I noticed my heart never settled. Something felt off.

Doors creaked open as I pushed myself up, unaware of the time nor day. I must've been asleep for a long time, more than a day. My body ached, arms and legs feeling too heavy just to be a few hours, my neck feeling tense with lungs so stiff, I inhaled deeply three times to help expand them. But my fluttering heart made it too much to take deep breaths, making my anxiety worst.

I blinked constantly, light gently falling inside my room until I decided to roll away from it, and smashed my face into my pillow.

Bonbon's footsteps treaded lightly, as though she purposely didn't want to abruptly startle me when she opened more of the curtains. Her hands found my arm carefully, her fingers warm.

"Camille," she whispered, her voice soft.

I let her wipe the sweat that was stuck to my cheek, and she sighed gently.

"How are you feeling?"

I curled tighter into myself, hands gripping the blanket tightly.

Father's cold eyes flashed.

I swallowed, fearful of the consequences that would follow from that dreadful encounter.

Before I knew it, I teared up, sobbing quietly, and tugged on Bonbon's long arm to use as a tissue for my eyes.

"Oh, hun," Bonbon breathed, crawling into bed and fitting in a mold against my back, her arms draped over mine.

"It's okay. You're alive, that's all that matters," she sighed, her eyes possibly closed with long eyelashes swooped over her cheeks. Her lips touched the back of my neck, my bun a mess in her eyes.

My body rattled as I sobbed quietly, uncertain what to really say. Many dark feelings I haven't faced before, crept up, unwilling to leave, though this was only my second or third day back, I've lost track. Stuck in bed to sleep and cry, I grew frustrated when I wasn't feeling any better. Every time I closed my eyes, I was haunted by images of glowing red glares. No matter how deep I was in Slumberland, I've become contaminated by Nightmare Land. I didn't belong here, nor there. There was nowhere for me to go.

"How long have I been asleep?" I croaked. Bonbon's body sent me warmth, though I still felt a chill somewhere, a strange sensation stuck somewhere on me.

Bonbon sighed into my hair.

"Three days."

I rubbed at my eyes, getting rid of the crust along their corners.

Three days… I wonder what Father's been up to, working behind the scenes of my punishment.

I felt Bonbon take a deep breath, her chest pushing into my back, and then she sighed heavily in my hair, her breath warm as it draped my neck.

"Camille…"

Her tone gave warning of something unpleasant approaching.

I tensed.

"I wish I could tell you to take it easy, and spend all day with me, but…" I could hear her lick her lips before pressing them together. Her arms tightened, and her warm cheek rested along the back of my shoulder.

"I've come to help you get ready…"

Oh. My fingers gripped the comforter even tighter, nails trying to cut through the fabric.

"For Father?" I muttered, eyes burning.

Bonbon nodded her head, her cheek rubbing back and forth silently.

"I'm scared," I admitted. A large rock settled inside my chest, and my heart still hasn't relaxed. It was a butterfly slowly being crushed by that rock, its wings flapping wildly to wiggle itself free from under the weight.

"Don't be. He still loves you," she tried, her arms tightening. "I'm sure, whatever he has planned for you, it can't be…" she paused, biting her lip.

It can't be that bad.

I knew if Bonbon finished her sentence, it would sound shallow, a lie. Did she know something?

My butterfly weakened, the rock almost too much to fight it.

Flashes of red eyes brightening and bones being crushed haunted me, I shivered.

"Why am I getting nightmares, Bonbon? Shouldn't they go away? Doesn't Slumberland not allow such horrible things?" I whimpered.

Bonbon was quiet. I could feel the wetness rub across my shoulder, telling me her eyes were wet.

"I don't know," she cracked. "Why am I sad? Shouldn't I be happy here? I shouldn't be sad."

Behind the nightmarish images, a small pillar of light cut through, reminding me that it wasn't all that terrible.

If something terrible were to happen to you…

I imagined Vince with his cold stare, his sword hand hidden under his cape.

It's something I don't want to live with.

His eyes softened, that pained look in them.

My butterfly grew strength, flapping hard again, and the rock rolled slightly.

"How's Vince holding up?" I dared ask. He hasn't come to visit, or at least, I haven't noticed, though not surprised. He rarely enters the palace unless to speak to my father directly on rare occasions. Vince always preferred the castle's courtyard, or his fortress.

Camille sucked in a shallow breath. Her silence worsened my nervousness.

"He's…" she exhaled, and slowly, her arms pulled back.

"He tried to visit, but…" I sat up and turned, finding her back to me when she sat on the bed's edge, slippers tapping the floor.

Bonbon told me how Vince got as close as the door before he turned around with a hiss, his cape flapped from how sharp he twirled.

"Why won't you go in and see her? Do you not care?!" Bonbon shrieked at his back.

Vince stopped, unwilling to turn and look at her. He sighed, dropping his gaze.

"I care."

That's all he said, and left Bonbon fuming. Her fists were out, cheeks puffed, and she stomped her high heel hard.

"You stupid jerk!" Her voice traveled down the corridor.

He had to have heard her, but she was ignored, and Vince left.

"I just don't get him," Bonbon was saying, shaking her head at me. Her mint, green hair swayed from side to side, long and loose today.

"He's not Slumberland material. Maybe he should live in Nightmare Land instead, always acting like a goblin."

I tried to smile at her suggestive humor, but I frowned instead, and curled my knees into my chest, my white gown chilled from the night sweats.

"He tried. That's all I care about," I muttered.

Bonbon scoffed as she rose, tall as a tower, and peered at me with hands on her hips.

"I wish I could find you a handsome prince, Camille. Then maybe you wouldn't be so hung up on this Middle Land dude."

"I'm not hung up on him."

"Uh huh." She didn't believe me, and waltz to my wardrobe to pull out an outfit.

"Come on. You gotta get down there. There's no time for breakfast, now."

Her hands threw a dress and accessories on the bed aimlessly. I just sat there, thinking about numerous things. About father, Vince, my mother. The nightmares.

I shouldn't be having nightmares.

Was something wrong with me?

—

I stood nervously behind the tall doors and looked at them as though I was about to be swallowed whole.

Bonbon gripped the back of my shoulders and whispered in my ear, "It's all right. Whatever happens, I'll be waiting for you, okay?"

I nodded along with a swallow. That stone was still there. My poor butterfly grew weak again, its wings barely taking effort. It was having difficulty breathing, the rock crushing it.

"Okay," I whimpered.

The guards opened the doors, gold handles glint under a small chandelier. I caught a flash of my sad reflection before it passed, and ungracefully, I stepped inside the antechamber.

Bonbon picked out a dress that she hoped made me look "innocent".

Honestly, the dropped soft sleeves were a nuisance, my bare shoulders cold. The corset didn't help with my anxiety, already too difficult to breathe, forcing my spine to straighten out and tense my stomach. With a heart shaped bodice and long cream skirt, I felt like a doll when I approached father, dressed as what he expected from me.

I wasn't a knight, nor a goblin hunter.

No, he saw me as an innocent princess, one with a perfect soul. No nightmares, no anxieties. Just needing a tune up, proper discipline and teachers.

Disappointment filled father's eyes when he saw me, still bitter about my reckless behavior, no doubt. I tried to tell myself it was because he only cared. Right?

From his grand throne, he rose, and stomped the scepter on the floor next to him with a clank. It echoed across the room, causing the large chandelier's crystals to tremble like tiny bells over my head.

I stopped before the red tapestry among the steps, and curtsied.

"Father," I greeted, my loose hair falling over one shoulder.

King Morpheus took a good look at me, his thick eyebrows up. He wasn't the same man who saved me, the one who cracked the heavens with the mighty magic of his scepter.

But now I knew if he wanted to, he could.

Before he spoke, I ran my fingers through my long hair as I muttered, "I'm sorry for calling you a coward. I was wong."

Very wrong.

Father's eye softened just enough.

"I'm just glad to have you back safely," he uttered, and he lifted his distressing eyes to the glass ceiling, watching soft white clouds passing us. A couple of air balloons drifted.

I shook, fighting the urge to crumble when I knew I should keep myself upright and collected. But the child in me begged, not feeling close to eighteen when I broke and ran up to father, eyes with tears.

To my surprise, he opened up his strong arms and swallowed me with them. I pressed my tears into his chest and suddenly sobbed.

"I'm so sorry, Father! I should've listened to you! You're not a coward, you're-"

"Shhhh, it's all right, Camille. We've got it all sorted out," he whispered. A large hand stroke down my hair, his warmth like basking in the sun.

I pulled away to look into his light blue eyes.

There was hope in them, a strange glimmer of possibilities, a way out for me. Has he already forgiven me? What was he planning? It was odd to see a smile of relief on his tired face, a plan already in brewing.

"What's happened?"

That was the best question I could possibly ask him. Father straightened, his arms pulling back, and he took a large hand on my back to shove me towards the doors to the conference hall.

"That's what we are about to discuss. I know you've just recovered, but time is sensitive now in Slumberland. This way," he requested. He patted me into a room I've never been into before. I've watched father enter this room countless times, a place of secrecy among the political side of Slumberland. Many decisions among our land and heavy disciplinary actions were decided here in this room. The guards opened the doors wide, letting us through. I thought it would be more spectacular, but I was greatly disappointed. It was just a large room with a high ceiling, sculptures of baby angels standing atop pillars with their hands holding the ceiling. Their lifeless, white marbled eyes judged me. Tall windows along the walls were completely covered by dark blue drapes made of silk. The main light source spilled from a chandelier with crystal stars and crescent moons dangling.

There was only one table in the room, large enough for only the council to sit comfortably with extensive arm space.

The Trine Council.

Father was one of them, and he took his seat at the crescent moon shaped table made of clear quartz. I noticed professor Genius sitting next to him, his tall lavender top hot hard to miss, and spectacles hiding the wrinkles under his eyes.

When the professor saw me, he turned his head away, wearing a thick mask of guilt.

Two other men sat there at the table, silently frowning. One was some gentleman with a white wig and a cravat tucked into his fine blue velvet petticoat.

And the other one...

I tried not to stare too long, the other guest's appearance very contrasting to Slumberland. He was tall and slim, a muscular young man with long wavy black locks of hair and skin just as milky as mine, hiding under a delicate half cape and silver chain. His ears dangled a few rubies that glimmered under a chandelier. There was something strange about him. It could be his piercing, golden eyes. When he turned them to me, he grinned, and flashed his fangs in a charismatic manner.

But there was something else too, something familiar. Under the split of his black cape, black ink laid on his perfect skin, the curling of a wingless dragon sitting on his chest. Its tail curved up his long neck and ended at his cheek, its sharp spine almost touching the edge of his lips.

A flash of the dragon symbol on the door stomped in my head.

It's the same symbol.

I gasped, eyes glued to that tattoo until the doors closed, reminding me of where I was.

Quickly, I straighten and stood before the three heads.

I suddenly felt trapped, six pairs of eyes inspecting me. My hands clasped tight across my waist, taking small breaths with little room my corset allowed. It grew quiet. Professor cleared his throat. The white wig one tapped his feathered pen on the table.

Finally, father pushed his golden chair back, and rose high in the center.

"Princess Camille," father began, his arms out widely.

"I'd like you to meet the men of our Trine Council. These are representatives of the other two lands."

He smacked his massive hand over the shoulder of the one in a white wig. The man gasped, almost fallen back by father's strength, and his wig flopped.

"This is Theodore W. Franklin, from Middle Land," father introduced. Theodore fixed his wig with a fuss and cleared his throat. He had on clean white gloves, and clasped his fingers under his pointed chin.

"How do you do, sweet Princess, Camille?" His voice was smooth and confident as he lightly bowed his head to me, his pointy nose touching the table.

Father then gestured to the strange man at the other end of the table.

"And representing Nightmare Land, is the Nightmare King's son, Prince Galof!"

I stared at him as he closed his eyes and bowed his head to me. On top of his dark head, there were two bald spots, a place where horns should be.

"Very nice to finally meet you, Princess Camille. I've heard so many things about you," he greeted, his voice low but also cheery for such a creature. He looked too human to be a goblin, but also, strangely not human either.

Father sat back down and the three men all looked at each other.

"Let's get this underway," Theodore began, and he fished our his spectacles to put over his nose, beady eyes scanning at open scrolls.

"We gather Camille today to present to her our decision after negative circumstances that occurred three days ago," he stated.

I began to feel hot in my dress and I wished to have a chair to sit in, but they wanted me to stand and be uncomfortable, one of the disadvantages of being challenged by the council.

Father lifted his droopy eyes to me.

"You disobeyed me, Camille. You not only neglected your duties to prepare your coronation, you also put yourself in danger, and risked Slumberland of another war."

"Father, I-"

"Be still!" Father demanded, a hand up. "You may have your turn after we all three speak."

He softened up a bit after he exchanged a look at Professor Genius, the elder's eyes begging him to go gentler.

Father looked away, and cleared his throat.

"You've been asleep for three days, and in those three days, there has been turmoil between Slumberland and Nightmare Land. I've lost my best captain to the royal fleet, a hundred and twenty men, and almost my own daughter. In defense, I had to act, and with enemy on my land, I didn't hesitate to destroy them."

He stared at Prince Galof as he said that last bit, and the demonic hybrid cleared his throat.

"Father and I certainly agreed to your actions, Morpheus. They were on your land," he chimed in, and he displayed a gentle smile that barely showed his bottom canines.

"And so..." father cleared this throat again, and gave me a worried look. It came and went quickly, trying to put up a brave face, a face a proper king should make, not a father. There was a trace of guilt, and he rose once more, fingers tapping the quarts lightly.

"Camille…"

He tried to look at me.

A cold sweat trickled down my back, feeling choked by my corset. My butterfly struggled, its wings stopped, but its legs still tried to pull free, squirming under the rock. Father's eyes darted at Theodore, and then on Galof before falling back to me. The room intensified with a heavy feel, making me suddenly want to run.

"It has been our decision to cancel your coronation, and find you a prince to lead Slumberland."

My butterfly's legs stilled, and the rock took away its last breath.

Instantly, my eyes watered, a hand to my chest, and another on my twisting stomach.

I tried not to gawk when I eyed at Galof in his corner.

"What?! You mean I'm supposed to marry him!" I pointed at the dark Prince while father told me to hold my tongue. I clenched my teeth tightly, hot white rage up to my cheeks as I made a fist at my side.

Prince Galof chuckled and touched his muscular chest with his long fingers.

"I'm flattered, but you...aren't my type," his husky voice perked. His eyes looked me up and down, crossed his arms, and leaned back in his chair with a smirk. Theodore cleared his throat and shook the image from his mind.

"We were actually thinking someone from Middle Land," he cleared.

From Middle Land?

I bit my lips together, my turn not coming soon enough with all the questions boiling in my head. Half the battle was not speaking out as they all discussed my future without me.

"What year is it there, Theodore?" Father asked his neighbor.

"I believe it's 1921 now," he answered, and unrolled some parchment I couldn't get a view of because they had it propped up against a tilted board.

Father studied it while he scratched at his beard.

"I found someone in North America, a young lad perfect for you," Theodore stated, and he scribbled notes down.

"Professor, please take these coordinates to Captain Stephen when you go pick up the boy," he grumbled, and handed Professor Genius a slip of paper.

"Wait!" I gasped.

"Not yet!" Father growled.

I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Clearly, you have already decided! Why do I say anything at all? Why for me to even be here?!"

Father boiled under his robes, but Prince Galof raised a hand, his cheek leaned onto a curled fist with an elbow to the table with boredom.

"Yes, Morphy, let her speak," he sang.

"I told you not to call me that!" Father grumbled, and then he sat back in his chair with a loud slam.

He sighed, "Does everyone agree to let Camille speak?"

They all raised their hands, and father gestured me to go right ahead. I thought I was ready, but no words came out at that moment. I thought hard of what I should begin with.

"You would pick some stranger from Middle Land over me?" I challenged.

"After what you did recently, yes!" Father bellowed.

"You clearly aren't responsible enough to run Slumberland on your own, and therefore, we had to find you someone suitable to take charge when I'm gone!"

"But my coronation-"

Father rose out of his chair and shouted over my tiny voice, "You won't be having a coronation!" Then his voice dropped to a sharp whisper, "not anymore."

"No scepter! No authority! You are to be a good queen and do exactly as your future king and husband will order you!"

My future husband. I let those words sink in until I thought I was in another nightmare. I looked around, half expecting shadows to sneak in and cover the walls and turn everyone into dark demons. Breathing quickly while my eyes steamed, blurring the room.

"So, I've made a mistake, and now you are taking away my coronation?!" I cried. A few tears hit the marble.

"Morphy- I mean, Morpheus, may I?" Prince Galof chimed in. When he was allowed to speak, the prince clasped his hands together and eyed me gently.

"If my scouts were correct, your mistake created the catastrophe that one of my generals took advantage of. You were present on that raid, and out of his own accord against my wishes, he tried to take you for himself. Which unfortunately, meant your father had to come in and put a stop to all of that mess."

He looked at father with the corner of his eye and smirked.

"Good thing your daddy came in to save you in time."

"And there's been so much argument about who stepped where in terms of boundaries among the two lands. Who started it and what happened. It was terrible," but he smiled at me sweetly like it was anything but. He continued and used hand gestures smoothly as he spoke.

"We now know for sure, that if you were ever put in charge as Queen, it would be an all out war between your land and mine. You would be such a gruesome threat to our already tiny land that we have left, and we don't want that, you see? So, that's why we decided, to make it an unbiased rule, someone from Middle Land who is neutral to both Nightmare Land and Slumberland. My father agreed, if we were to find someone else as king of Slumberland, someone from Middle Land, he will not attack."

With Father's powerful voice like an opera singer, Galof's tone was that of a soft violin. He explained with patience, which may put some relief on father's shoulders when it was presented better than what he may have done.

I looked up at father with desperation and asked, "Is there no other way?"

Father dropped his eyes, shoulders slouched beneath his white hair.

"I'm sorry, my daughter. But this is what we both want", and he eyed Prince Galof until they exchanged a look of understanding.

"Nightmare Land will not attack, and we may keep the peace as long as I find a new King from Middle Land."

"No!" I screamed, unable to contain myself.

"Isn't this what YOU wanted?!" Father challenged, a finger at me. I flinched away at the sharpness of his words and the jab of his finger, an invisible sword jabbed in my chest.

He had a point, but…

"But not like this," I wheezed, my lungs stiffening again.

"What does it matter?" Father boomed.

I clammed shut.

Prince Galof kept smiling, obviously entertained by the drama before him, which may have been a nice change to their past meetings. I could only imagine they were dull.

Theodor appeared uncomfortable with the way he fiddled with his quill, eyes not looking up.

"Remember, Camille, I saved your life!" Father reminded me.

I froze, and the trace of a powerful Camille inside me dispersed. I had nothing more to say. Father had said those magic words, which meant I had to respect him. He did save me, and I felt it would be better not to cast that as nothing. I sank my head down, ashamed, and finally admitted defeat.

An unsettling silence filled the air, and Father turned to the other two men at the table.

"Gentlemen, please let me have a word with my daughter. You too, Professor."

No one objected as the sounds of chairs screeched across the floor, pushed back and footsteps maneuvered quickly until the doors opened and closed behind me.

"Camille," father trembled, and he sat in his chair, alone at the table, when I looked up at him.

"I wanted you to know, I've been thinking about this for a while," he admitted deeply.

Anxiety wrapped around my heart like dark sludge. It pounded hard to push the sludge back, but it only made it worst, and it even tightened until I thought it couldn't breathe. Father inhaled, and glanced at the scattered parchment atop the table, anything to distract him.

"Of course, your actions brought to my attention the severity of the situation and I brought the idea to this council. But for months, I've been pondering if you were really suitable for the throne," he said quietly. "So it wasn't the Nightmare King's idea. When the topic of your coronation came up, I threw down the proposal before any threats were to fire."

I was so furious, I couldn't speak. My own father didn't even want me to take his place. My cheeks were soaked with tears, but I glared at him, refusing to shatter and cry like a child. How dare he deny to look at me to see the damage he's caused.

"I know you hate me for this but, please try to understand, you're my only child. You will be safe this way, and not have to worry any longer," he reasoned. I twirled around, ready to leave silently.

"By the way," father's voice stretched, halting my step before I reached the doors. "Our future king will be here tomorrow. I do hope you will be on your..," he paused, and I pictured his white eyebrows scrunched.

"…Best behavior?"

I flashed my teeth at nothing and pulled the doors open violently without a word. I ran, determined to get away. Professor Genius was waiting, and he tried to stop me with his stuttering, "P-Princess, w-wait! I need to talk to you!" But I ignored him, and left the ballroom. I needed to get away, to be anywhere but here.

"Where are you going?!" The professor exclaimed. He tried to keep up, his long legs gave him the advantage of long strides over my short sprints, but I knew all the shortcuts, and took a sharp left between two large vases into a servants' corridor.

"Away from here!" I snapped, and disappeared into the tunnel. It was a nice little corridor through the palace. I looked over my shoulder and was glad to get rid of the professor, and then continued on towards a stone door. I pushed it open and stumbled out into the courtyard, the bright day blinding when one stumbles out of a dark hall. Carefully, I settled the stone back in place against a pillar, like it never budged, and I was about to run. Instead, I skidded to a halt when someone caught my eye. I found the Nightmare King's son nursing a cigar while sitting along the steps of the palace entrance. He took note of me and perked up before he blew a ring of smoke up into the blue sky.

"Well, well, miss me already?" He joked. I watched him sit back, relaxed like he was waiting for something, or maybe just taking a long cigar break. His long, black cape opened up more, revealing more of his large tattoo. Again, I analyzed it, and I knew, that was the same dragon in the door. It had to be.

"What is that on your chest?" I challenged, my eyes squinting at it.

"Oh, this?" He ducked his narrow chin to gaze upon his chest and abs with a smile, almost startled to see it like it wasn't there before.

"My six-pack," he teased, and inhaled his cigar with a grin.

"No! I meant the tattoo, dummy!"

"I know…" he exhaled, more smoke falling off his tongue until I coughed, waving a hand to disperse the horrible stench.

Galof licked his lips. When he smiled, there were those fangs again.

"It's my family's sigil," he replied, pointing to the tattoo. His nails were long and sharp.

"All the sons of the king are stamped with it. Of course, I'm the oldest, so I get the biggest tattoo. Not very flattering to you, but in my world, it's a symbol of masculinity."

He rose and stretched his arms out, purposely showing it off now, his loose cape fluttering to the winds of spring. As though to heighten the experience, petals caught in the wind brushed over him like pink rain. There may as well be an orchestra playing and fireworks exploding behind him.

I rolled my eyes.

Galof was amused by my response, and he tapped the end of his cigar on a marble step to end its life.

"It pains me that you don't even know about my family, considering we are always at war. So, why curious now?"

I hesitated, not trusting this stranger to mention my dreams. Instead, I said, "I have to say, I'm quite surprised that you're from Nightmare Land. I thought there were only…" I swallowed, afraid to sound rash.

"Monsters and goblins?" He guessed for me.

"Well, yes," I said sheepishly.

Galof laughed, almost mockingly, and my cheeks burned. He rose to his feet to stand tall. Suddenly, black wings unfurled, stretching out, and he sighed with relief.

"Oh good grief, no, dear. That would just be too easy for your father, wouldn't it? You poor thing. Sheltered in the perfect palace for too long, and thought your little goblin hunts opened your eyes enough?" He rolled his eyes with a sigh, thick arms crossed and legs long under black pants. No shoes. How odd.

"We Nightmare Land folk have a lovely tier system. Yes, there are those dreadful bunch that act more like animals, and they belong where their tiny brains put themselves in, at the bottom. But we hybrids are just as capable as you are for running a kingdom. You should visit sometime," and his voice thickened into a monstrous growl when he added, "You'll love it."

I watched as Galof's wings expanded all the way, a twelve-foot wing expansion of black bat-like wings with thick skin.

My mouth opened. "Ohhh," captivated by such a reveal.

Galof smirked at me and stretched out his hand.

"Want a ride?"

"Absolutely not!" I shrieked, recoiling.

This made him laugh up at the sky, hands on his hips.

"I thought so."

He flapped his wings, ready for take off.

"Well, I better tell Father the good news. Maybe we will see each other again very soon," Galof cheered. He was ready to step forward, his wings pounding down.

Unexpectedly, I reconsidered my decision, afraid I may never get the chance to speak to anyone from Nightmare Land ever again. At least not anyone as civil as Galof.

"Wait!"

Galof was about to take off, but he looked over his shoulder at me, and stopped himself. His wings settled, his yellow eyes stunned. There was something attractive about his startled expression.

I ran up to him.

"Wait, I did have something I wanted to ask you, er, I mean….," I tried, struggling to have a clear head. It felt unsettling talking to someone from Nightmare Land.

Galof smiled as he crossed his arms. His wavy hair overlapped one eye.

"Wanted to give me a goodbye kiss?"

"No, of course not!" I spat, clenched fists at my sides.

Galof chuckled, and tapped his bare foot as he waited.

I glanced from his eyes to his tattoo, struggling to speak while my knuckles rubbed my chest.

"Well, um, you see, it's about your-"

"Why do you do that?" He blurted.

I blinked at him.

"Do what?" I was clueless at his interruption.

Galof curled a hand and rubbed across his tattoo to mimic my behavior.

"This. You rub up and down like that. Why?"

I shot my hand down, cheeks red. No one asked me that before. Did Vince even notice?

"Uh, I have anxiety," I admitted nervously, like it was some sort of disease in Slumberland. Everyone just pretended not to notice. It was odd manners for someone to point it out, but perhaps that was just part of Galof's culture, pointing out the negative behaviors instead of pretending they aren't there.

After all, no one has anxiety in Slumberland.

Galof's eyes hardened.

"Do I make you anxious?"

"No, that's not it!" I don't know why I worried what he thought, and I simmered.

"That's not the point! Look, your tattoo!" And I pointed to it to help line his thoughts.

"I've seen a door with that symbol," I revealed. It took a significant load off my chest, and my heart stopped pounding.

Galof raised a dark eyebrow.

"A door with my family crest? Here?" He couldn't help but smile, as though this was some kind of joke.

I marched across the stone and glared up at his stupid grin.

"Yes. I'm not lying," I growled.

Galof shook his head, blinking at my quick temper.

"I never said you were. I think you misread others sometimes."

"I read people just fine!" I blurted.

Galof smiled at me with his eyebrows up, as though to say sarcastically, "Sure."

We were quiet after that, birds chirping in the background, the fountain splashing in the distance. Like Vince, Galof seemed improper, his tattoo so dark and contrasting against the soft pastel colors from the palace courtyard.

"So…" he leaned in, and his yellow eyes bore cautiously into mine.

"This door. Where have you seen this?"

I swallowed.

"I haven't actually seen it. I've dreamt it."

Galof ran a finger under his chin, but he didn't seem to be thinking too hard. Answers were already in his eyes when they flashed a spark of lightning.

"I see."

He stayed quiet after that, probably to give me frustration. Inpatient, I stomped my slipper down.

"Do you know anything or not?!"

Galof kept smiling, even when he turned, his wings to me.

"I think you should ask King Morpheus," he replied seriously, his cheery side suddenly gone.

"But-"

He opened his wings again, and they flapped, his feet floating.

"See you soon," he sang, his serious side gone as quickly as it came, and he waved, his face hidden. He left me dumbstruck in the middle of the courtyard, watching him fly away.

Free as a bird.

The Prince of Nightmare Land flew up into the blue sky, heading West. His wings flapped mightily to give him altitude before he could glide. Soon, he was nothing but a dark dot in the baby blue sky.

What did he mean to ask Father? Would he actually know anything? I didn't even notice I was doing it again, rubbing my sternum, and I stopped myself, wondering if I looked ridiculous.

Of all the things that juggled in my mind, only one in particular stayed put as I watched the dark prince disappear over the city.

I wish I could fly away too.

40