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I fell asleep in the security and warmth of his arms, the arms of a man I was certain was my enemy. And for the first night in my entire life that I could remember, I didn’t dream.

Enveloped in the calming darkness, surrounded by nothingness.

Except for the familiar feel of him, guarding me while I slept.

Something nudges my subconscious, but I can’t see anything. At first.

I feel Riven jolt in the makeshift bed next to me, restless in his own slumber.

The peace ends, and just before I wake, I’m sucked into a dream.

Suddenly, I’m back in the forest, running in the dark. My shadow hunter is here, chasing me. I can feel him getting closer. It’s like I’m moving in slow motion, the silent forest invaded by the sound of my boots crunching in the freshly packed snow.

With every step that takes me deeper into the darkness, he gets closer and closer. I can feel him surrounding me. He grabs me from behind, and his touch is electric—and familiar.

My head whips around to see the face of my huntsman, my shadow, my captor. Riven.

For the first time in my dream, our eyes connect.

And he nods at me before his lips take mine in a kiss worth remembering.

His hands tangle in my hair, knocking my red cape down as the kiss deepens, and I kiss him back like my life depends on it.

And maybe it does because when we break away and his eyes find mine… I remember.

All of it.

A barrage of memories flashes before my eyes while he holds me tightly.

A baby. Red roses, white snow, and black raven.

Running through the forest, playing hide-and-seek with the animals.

A bluebird with a broken wing. Being sad.

Apple pies and Sunday dinners. Being happy.

New moons and old friends. Being excited.

A dead king. A deadly queen. Being afraid.

A new home. An empty mind. Being angry.

“Adelaide?” he whispers, and I look up and lock eyes with Riven.

The man that has been hunting me in my dreams for years is here. I can tell by the way his grip tightens around my body possessively.

“Riven.” I blink and open my lids to see him watching me, but instead of swirling snow and birch trees, we’re surrounded by steam and moonstones, back in the cave.

The same cave where I came to find my memories… and lost my heart to Riven.

Chapter 20

Adelaide

“Well, isn’t this cozy.” A gruff voice echoes in the cavern, drawing my attention away from Riven and toward the opening.