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I d like to, but I want to visit more of the other rooms tonight. For the
second time that day, Mikki held her hand out to Asterius. This time there was
no hesitation before he took it and helped her to her feet. When she stood, he
let go of her hand, but she didn t move away from him. Instead, she placed her
hand in the crook of his arm, as if he was an old-time Southern gentleman
escorting her from the room. Let s go see some of the other rooms.
As you wish, Empousa.
His words were still formal, but there was no mistaking the way his expression
softened when he spoke to her and how they leaned their bodies toward one
another, sharing intimate smiles and whispers. They walked from the room,
neither paying any attention to the shocked stares of the Dream Weavers.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
MIKKI S mind was a whirlwind, filled with the unbelievable beauty she d
witnessed in the dream-weaving rooms. Just when she thought she d seen
something so incredible it couldn t be topped, Asterius would lead her to
another room and she would be amazed all over again. She wished her mother and
grandmother could be here with her. Her mother, in particular, would love the
room where women were painting tiny porcelain animals, which came alive as
they floated up through the ceiling. Her grandmother would probably most like
the dream weaving that had been devoted to magick, like the room where
brightly colored scenes were painted on long rolls of parchment so fine it was
see-through. When the scenes were finished, the filmy paper suddenly broke
apart, and like dove s wings, fluttered up out of sight. Asterius had
explained that the women had been creating the essence of Tarot cards. And
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then there was the room they d entered where women had been using shining
silver hooks to crochet diaphanous blankets ranging in color from buttercup to
smoke. Moon veils, used for drawing down the moon, he had named them. And she
realized that they were, indeed, all the colors of the different phases of the
moon.
But her favorite room was the candle room. It had been filled, tier after
tier, with thick, cream-colored pillar candles, on which women carved into the
soft wax fantastic dream scenes. When a scene was finished, the candle was
lit. As it burned, the dream scene was released and then carried to the
waiting world on fragrant, snow-colored smoke.
One more room, Asterius said sternly as they left the candle room. Before
she could protest, he shook his head. No, there are shadows beneath your
eyes. You can continue your exploration tomorrow night.
Is this more of your duty to care for me, or are you tired of me dragging you
from room to room?
Neither, he said quietly as they approached the door to the next room. He
cupped her face within his hands and let his thumbs trace the shadows under
her eyes. It is only that I do not like to see you looking weary, even though
if I could choose, this evening would never end.
Mikki looked up at him, surprised and pleased at his words and the gentleness
of his touch. She wanted to say she was sorry she had misunderstood, or thank
him, or hell! tell she was having a wonderful time, too, but he was already
opening the ornate door. Her eager attention shifted to the new room and the
wonders it held.
Everything within the room looked normal. Women sat around in front of large
frames of cloth, their needles flashing in and out as they created exquisite
tapestries. As usual, the women greeted her, but this time they did not ignore
Asterius.
Guardian, did you bring more thread? one of the older women said in a
businesslike, no-nonsense tone of voice.
I have none with me. This evening I have been escorting the new Empousa
through the dream-weaver rooms, he said.
Empousa, please do not think I mean any disrespect, but it is important that
the Guardian collect more threads for us tonight, if you would grant him leave
to do so. While he was the woman paused uncomfortably for a moment before
plunging on away from the realm, we had to make due with the threads the
Elementals gathered. They sufficed but only just.
The tapestries are becoming frayed, added a slightly younger woman with a
thick mane of blond hair she had tied back in a braid. Several of the other
women nodded in agreement.
Thoroughly confused again Mikki contained her frustrated sigh. Of course I ll
give the Guardian leave to, um, collect threads for you. We were just
finishing here anyway.
Oh! Thank you, Empousa!
Mikki waved off their thanks and retreated from the room with Asterius close
behind.
All right, you re going to have to explain that, she said.
Did you notice anything different about the scenes in that room?
She frowned at him, not liking it that he answered her question with a
question, but she thought about the scenes the women had been embroidering.
There had been one with a mother holding a newborn child. Another had shown a
man speaking in front of a huge crowd of people. Yet another had depicted a
woman sitting at a writing desk chewing thoughtfully at a pencil. Mikki
shrugged her shoulders. I don t know. They all seemed totally normal.
That is because in that room the dreams woven into the tapestries are those
that actually come true.
You mean they really happen! The things those women were creating in there
actually happen in the real world?
Always, he said.
That s why the thread has to be different. She spoke slowly, following her
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intuition carefully, as if it was a dimly marked trail. They can t get it
only from the stuff that the moon flowers suck in. Dreams that come true need
something else . . . something more real.
He looked pleased. Exactly! Dreams that come true must be woven with threads
gleaned from reality.
And you can do that?
He nodded. I can.
Will you show me?
He started to protest that it was too late and that she was overtired, but she
touched his arm gently and said, Please, Asterius.
Very well. Come with me.
Where are we going?
To the rose gate, he said, leading her back along the hallway.
We re going into the forest? Her hand tightened on his arm.
We must. Reality cannot be gleaned from the realm of dreams and magick.
Briefly, he covered her hand with his. Do not be afraid. I would not let
anything harm you.
She smiled up at him. I m not afraid. Not as long as I m with you.
MIKKI thought the huge gate made of roses looked damn creepy at night. It
didn t matter that there were torches nearby and lanterns hanging from the
limbs of the ancient oak. It was still dark, and the rose wall seemed like
something out of a book of fairytales by the sublimely twisted British author,
Tanith Lee. Mikki liked Lee s weird fairy-tale retellings, a lot actually, but
she absolutely did not want to walk into one. Ever.
You could stay here. I ll go into the forest, gather the threads and then
return as quickly as I am able, he said.
No! I m not staying here by myself. I m coming with you.
With Mikki s hand wrapped tightly within the crook of his arm, he took the
torch planted in the ground near the gate. After speaking the command that
opened the gate, the two of them walked out of the Realm of the Rose.
Mikki shivered. It s colder out here.
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