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and other places necessary to a kingdom’s success. There was even a pub.
    When I reached the castle, towering and winged obsidian guards watched my approach with wary gazes. Had they been expecting me? Had they been told to treat me as friend or foe? And were they afraid of me? I’d rather open hostility to this wariness, I think.
    “Your highness.” They each bowed to me, openingthe main door of the palace for me. “The king is in the library.”
    Meaning I should go directly there. Do not pass Go, do not collect $200. Look at me, witty girl.
    But the guard hadn’t had to tell me that. I knew that’s where my parents were. I felt them there, just as they knew I had come to visit without having it announced.
    I thanked the guards and entered the castle. I had but a second to appreciate the great hall and its neoclassical style before the air shimmered, blurring my surroundings until there was nothing left, and then slowly bringing them back as something new. My father had brought me to him—or rather to just inside the library door—rather than waiting for me to make the journey myself. Fabulous.
    Was this just because of the Warden? Or had I done something else that was against the rules? I really had to learn more about this world, but it seemed to come hurdling at me faster than I could absorb it all.
    My father stood by the hearth, like he’d stepped out of a GQ spread. He didn’t smile, but I could see pleasure in his pale blue eyes. That made me feel at least a little better. He was rugged, built like a construction worker, with reddish brown hair and handsome features. He usually wore jeans and a sweater—the way my mother liked him. I have no doubt he changed his looks according to his audience, a fact that creeped meout a little. What did he really look like? And could I do the same thing?
    “Dawn.” He had a rugged voice too—deep and slightly rough. “This is a surprise.”
    “No it isn’t,” I said, slipping past him into the room. I loved the library. It had every book ever written—ever dreamed of. It had been great for school reports. “You knew telling Verek he could bring me in shackles would prompt a visit. Hi, Mom.”
    My mother, a petite brunette, looked as elegant as ever, though a little tired. “Hello, sweetie.”
    I turned on my father, who had closed the door and was watching me with that resigned expression every father seemed to know. “I had to.”
    “Why?” I demanded, a sudden flash of anger drowning every other emotion. “So you can hand me over to the Warden like a prisoner?”
    “So I could be sure you’d understand the gravity of the situation,” he fired back. Now he looked angry—and upset. “I can’t show partiality, Dawn, and I can’t interfere on your behalf. To do so would undermine my own position—and make things worse for you.”
    Well damn. All the fight went out of me, and I had to try really hard not to slouch. I hadn’t slouched since I was fourteen and I’d reached my full height.
    “How bad is it?” I asked.
    He shrugged his broad shoulders, folding his armsacross his chest as he passed me to walk deeper into the room—toward my mother. “The Warden wants to investigate your bringing Noah into this realm.”
    “That’s crap and you know it. How could I have known it was wrong?”
    Morpheus smiled. “Yes, I know it. Your ignorance might serve as a viable excuse when coupled with your genuine concern for Noah, and the attacks launched against him by Karatos.” His smile faded. “Or, the Council might see it as faulty preparation on my part. Regardless, they will judge in a manner they see fit, and I will do all in my power to help both of us weather the consequences.”
    I sighed. “I can’t believe this is such a big deal.”
    “It’s a big deal,” he said, placing his big hands on my shoulders. “Because they’re scared. You did something even I cannot do, and that kind of power terrifies the Council.”
    Oh yeah, I’d