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someone was peering down. No matter how far they went, the feeling persisted.
    “We’re being followed, I think,” she said softly.
    Shayne gave no indication whatsoever that he’d heard.  
    “Walk next to the buildings with me.” He looped an arm around her waist, drawing her close. “What did you see?” he whispered, not looking at her.
    “Nothing,” she said. “But someone’s watching. I know it.”
    He checked left and right without moving his head.
    “All right. Just stay close. I want my hands free in case I need them.”  
    He let her go.
    For several blocks they walked in silence. Gillian was aware of Shayne listening intently, his senses on alert. But there was no sign of anyone––except for them.
    Up ahead, a building was beginning to loom large. In another few blocks, it was clear it dwarfed the others. When they drew close enough and could judge its true size, Shayne whistled.
    “It has to be–” Shayne started.
    “The palace,” Gillian finished.
    It was incredible, like a giant wedding cake rising up five stories. The edges of each level were intricately scalloped, with delicate, pointed turrets, evenly spaced. Glass windows of all shapes and colors decorated the sides of each level. An occasional balcony jutted out, without any visible supports.
    The balcony.
    What did that remind her of?
    “It’s open,” Shayne said.
    Surrounding the entire palace was a magnificent, marble wall, one story tall. The grand wooden gates, gilded with silver scrolls, stood ajar. As he pulled her through, the first thing that hit Gillian was the smell. Heady and sweet, it was a garden in full bloom.
    “All of the trees here are fruit trees,” Shayne remarked with surprise. “And unless I miss my guess, most of the plants are edible as well.”
    Gillian picked a ripe plum from one of the trees they passed. The smell was intoxicating. When she bit into it, careful to keep the juice from her gloves. She could barely stop herself from moaning at the ripe, melt-in-your-mouth flesh. But at the center of a flower bed of white lilies, there stood the sculpture of a young woman crowned with flowers. Though they passed it silently, Gillian was no longer surprised to see another statue with her face.
    At the palace itself, the great arched doorway was open as well. In fact, as they wandered through the empty, marbled corridors, she realized none of the doors were closed. Once again, it struck Gillian that there were people just around the corner, people who would come back to their rooms. She felt welcome here the way she had not felt welcome anywhere else. Something here made her feel at peace.
    But for some reason, it only made Shayne more tense. When Gillian touched his hand, he jerked and nearly rounded on her.
    “Sorry,” he said quickly. “Something about this place gives me the creeps.”
    “Really? I find it comforting somehow,” Gillian said. “I mean, maybe it’s the idea that we’ve lived before.”
    “Oh?”
    “Yes. That once upon a time, I think we loved each other.”
    Shayne was still for a long time. Despite everything they’d done and been through together, they’d never really professed love. When Shayne only looked at the ground, there was a brief stab of hurt in Gillian’s chest. But she couldn’t dwell on it. She wouldn’t. Not in this amazing place.
    She took his hand and gently squeezed. Startled, he looked up and smiled.
    The more they saw of the palace, the more of a marvel it appeared. It was full of light from high, clear-story windows and skylights. There was a feeling of airiness to the place that was positively soothing.
    When they came around a corner, Gillian glimpsed herself in a polished bronze mirror. The outlandish Turkish clothes startled her. Somehow she’d expected a white gown. Her shoulders ought to be bare. But as the image moved behind her, Gillian glanced back.
    She had never worn a white gown in her life. With a sudden jolt of fear, she realized how