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The mysterious man from the bar who came to my rescue on the dance floor?

He warned me the shots were deadly…

Picking up the cup, I sniff, but whatever it is, it’s odorless. I don’t dare touch or drink the clear liquid. Instead, I pour it out and test the weight of the ornate goblet in my hand, deciding that it could be used as a weapon.

Peering closer, I see something on the table. An aged hand mirror shows my frightened reflection. None of this makes any sense. I think about my dreams; they’ve always been in the forest, then the castle, never anything about dead roses, a fancy cup, or even an old mirror.

A commotion outside the door gets my attention. Crouching down beside the bed, cup in hand, I strain to hear what they are saying.

“Yes, I’m sure! Hurry, or it’ll be your head on a spike,” a childlike voice commands.

“You’re not supposed to be here.”

“How else would you know you’re needed?”

“Where is Riven?” The gruff male voice questions his orders.

“Never mind that. You don’t want to keep the queen waiting, do you?”

Queen?

Heavy steps clank away from the door, followed by silence.

“Psst! Can you hear me? Hello, are you awake in there?” Slender fingers wiggle through the tiny opening at the top of the door.

I have only seconds to decide.

This might be my only chance.

“Who’s there?” I pray she hears me, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Birdy. What’s your name?”

I decide to be honest. “Adelaide.”

“Pretty name,” she singsongs.

I ignore the compliment. “Where am I?”

“You’re safe for now.” She’s speaking in riddles.

“But where am I?”

“In the castle.”

“A castle?” I fear my dreams and reality are about to collide.

“Yes. Winter Haven.”

Winter Haven?

“What does it look like?” My pulse speeds up.

“Umm… like a castle.”

“Please, Birdy. Can you try to describe it for me?”

“Well, it’s big, so big I get lost here sometimes. It has white stone…”