Page 102 of In Somnis

Why didn’t I even think of that?

“Yep. They were each other’s demise.”

I frown at him. “They loved each other.”

“Sure, in the same way Romeo and Juliet loved each other,” Ridge says dryly, inspecting his fingers. “Except Romeo was an orphan taken in by his aunt and uncle, who paid the bills by renting out apartments instead of owning a mansion.”

“And Juliet’s parents shut the door,” I murmur, a bad feeling creeping up again.

“Hard.” He meets my gaze. “Derek let her go to make sure she’d be happy, even if it almost killed him. Now look where that brought them.”

And me.

This isn’t just Tessa’s tragedy, it’s mine too. The sunlight through the windows flickers, and somewhere above us, something cracks again.

“But what’s with Melanie’s mom?”

“She’s a bitch, and not worth the air it takes to explain her. Listen.” His voice drops, serious now. “A lucid dream can stretch into hours or days inside your head, even if only maybe minutes have passed in waking life, but holding lucidity and stability at the same time is fragile as hell. Even if your control is impressive, you’re still triggered by emotion. So if we want to talk, you need to get them under control.”

“What? Want to tell me women are too emotional?”

“Nah.” His mouth curves into what I already can tell is a signature half smirk. “I’m saying you are too emotional to lucid dream right now, and I’m not in the mood to get emotionally waterboarded tonight.”

I huff at him. “Don’t act like I’m the one being difficult.”

An invisible pressure is pushing against the walls of this place, and I don’t know how I know it’s him doing it, but I do.

“Looks like you’re right.” Ridge’s eyes flick to the side, scanning the space. “You locked the dream down again.”

“What? No, I didn’t do anything.”

“You did. Whether you realize it or not. Let me make sure you’re not freaking out.” He reaches out slowly, and his fingers slide between mine again, breadstick-crumb-dusted and warm, tangling us together. His shoulders drop half an inch, and tension bleeds out of his jaw.

His touch brings me the same kind of relief.

But why?

“Okay,” I say hoarsely. “I’m not freaking out.” Ridge snorts, but I steer us back on topic. “What happened to Tessa?”

“I don’t know, and believe me, I tried to figure it out.”

“You did?”

He shrugs. “Derek’s a dick, but he’s still my family, and I wouldn’t wish that kind of trapped in your own body on anyone. Ever.”

“But you couldn’t help her?” The words come out smaller than I mean them to.

Another shrug, this one heavier. “Just because I’m good at lucid dreaming doesn’t mean I’m Superman.”

I sigh. “Pity.”

He grins as if an idea struck him and pulls me closer. “Come here.”

“Come where⁠—”

The kitchen drops out from under us, and I scream, shutting my eyes tight. Cold wind roars past my ears, and for one horrible second, I’m sure I’ve finally lost my mind.

“Relax.” He chuckles as though we’re on a mildly aggressive amusement park ride. “Flying’s the best part of being lucid.”