The night had not yet ended when Ariana woke again.
The palace remained wrapped in darkness.
Moonlight slipped through the tall windows of her chamber, painting pale silver lines across the floor.
Ariana sat upright in her bed, her heart still beating faster than it should.
The dream clung to her mind like smoke.
Fire.
Dragons.
And the man standing in the flames.
Her breathing trembled slightly as she looked down again at her feet.
The mud was still there.
Dark streaks across her pale skin.
Serena stood beside the bed, holding a candle whose small flame flickered with every movement.
"My lady," Serena said softly,
"it was only a dream."
Ariana shook her head slowly.
"How can it be only a dream?" she whispered.
She lifted her foot slightly.
"Look at this, Serena. There is mud on my feet."
Serena frowned as she examined them again.
"I do not understand it either," she admitted.
Ariana wrapped the white cover robe more tightly around her shoulders.
