Fin emerged from his shower in his pajamas, a pounding headache making every step feel heavy as he flopped onto his bed. The day’s chaos whirled through his mind: first, the pink-haired unicorn had been all over him, treating him as if he were the only human in the world, then he’d found himself going completely ga-ga over his best friend. At least now he didn’t have to worry so much about doing embarrassing things to get through to stubborn, invisible people. Still, was it really the right thing to leave Jack alone with that unicorn? What if the unicorn drove Jack crazy? What if they ended up fighting?

Fin’s troubled thoughts gradually faded as he surrendered to sleep. Moments later, he found himself faced with a surreal scene: a nude man sprawled across a waterbed before him.

"I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen you in my entire life," Fin stated firmly.

"Why, hello, lovely maiden," the man cooed, a teasing lilt in his voice. "Do you like what you see?"

"I’m quite sure he does not," a familiar voice boomed. Suddenly, Alistair appeared, stepping protectively between Fin and the young nightmare sprawled on the bed, his eyes narrowed in warning.

"M-Mr. Montcroix!" the nightmare yelped, scrambling off the bed and hastily covering himself. "My apologies! I didn’t know he was yours!" He bolted, vanishing from the dream entirely.

Fin frowned, still trying to process what had just happened. "Was that someone you knew?" he asked Alistair, scanning his face for a hint of recognition.

"Just a young pup who should still be at his mother’s knee," Alistair replied with a scowl, moving to the bed. He snorted at the waterbed, sending ripples across its surface. "He must be from the Diego house. They might be onto something, though."

Fin snickered, then made his way over, carefully sitting before flopping back on the waterbed. He patted the space beside him in invitation. "I have a lot to talk to you about, ‘Mr. Montcroix.’ To start…is Montcroix your last name?"

Alistair gladly settled onto the undulating bed beside him. "Yes: Alistair Montcroix. But I much prefer hearing my first name from your lips."

"Alistair? Why’s that?" Fin asked, curiosity piqued.

"It makes me feel closer to you," the nightmare said, rolling to his side to meet Fin’s gaze. "And I can imagine you calling it out in passion."

Fin’s cheeks flushed pink. "A-Alistair… Anyway, I was trying to tell my best friend Jack about you when Lee’en appeared out of nowhere and started freaking out. He even started sniffing me and said I was still chaste. Do I… do I smell funny to you?"

Alistair leaned in, inhaling Fin’s scent deeply. "You smell… delicious." He nuzzled behind Fin’s ear, voice low. "Like coffee, chocolate, and caramel." Fin felt a gentle, teasing kiss just behind his ear. "It’s intoxicating."

Fin’s heart skipped a beat, heat pooling in places he tried to ignore. "B-but… is that what my ‘chastity’ smells like? What happens when I’m not a virgin anymore?" he wondered aloud.

"The core of your scent won’t change, especially for the mate you choose," Alistair murmured, tracing gentle circles on Fin’s hip. "But it won’t broadcast to others the way it does while you’re a chaste maiden."

"Lee’en told me I had to choose someone when I turn eighteen, or all of you would die," Fin relayed, uncertainty flickering in his voice.

Alistair’s expression shifted from shock to anger. "I can’t believe he told you that."

"Is that true?" Fin asked, blue eyes searching Alistair’s. "I wouldn’t want any of you to die because of me."

"Of course not!" Alistair growled. "That manipulative, lying little…" The nightmare paused, forcing himself to breathe. "I wish I could say I’m surprised a unicorn would lie just to pressure you into mating, but I’m not. For them, claiming a chaste maiden is the ultimate triumph. Some don’t even keep the maiden as a mate after they’ve taken them to bed." Disapproval darkened Alistair’s eyes. "Here in your dreams, I can protect you from any nightmare that might seek you. But during your daytime, I’m needed in my world." His voice softened as he cupped Finian’s cheek. "But if you ask it of me, I will stay by your side, day or night, for as long as you need."

Fin subconsciously leaned into the warmth of Alistair’s hand, exhaling in relief. "So neither of you would die," he concluded. "He also said that when I turn eighteen, I could cross over into your world. Was that a lie, too?"

"No one will die if you don’t sleep with one of us. It’s despicable that unicorns use such tactics to coerce maidens." Alistair gently brushed his thumb along Fin’s cheekbone. "But it is true that you can cross over when you’re eighteen." He leaned close, their noses nearly touching, eyes like cobalt crystals filling Fin’s vision. "I hope that when the time comes, you’ll choose to cross over with me. I want to be with you… forever." He blinked slowly, dark lashes fanning down and then lifting. "The portal will take you even if you’ve given yourself to me, but it accepts the chaste most easily. It will take others as long as they’re of age, though the magic has a bit more trouble holding onto them. It’s dangerous, but I won’t let harm come to you."

Fin blushed, heat creeping down his neck. With the nightmare so close, he fought the urge to fan himself.

"Why me?" he whispered, confusion coloring his tone. "We hardly know each other!"

"I’ve seen your dreams and read your heart," Alistair said gently. "I know you, Fin. I want you—and I want you to know me, too."

"Would you show me your dreams?" Fin asked, a hint of hopefulness in his voice. He couldn’t very well read Alistair’s heart himself, but so far, the nightmare seemed kind.

"I would be honored." Alistair pulled back slightly. "You're sure? It might be a bumpy ride."

The human nodded. "I want to see what your dreams are like."

"I won’t be able to guide you, but you can wander wherever you like," the nightmare said, eyes twinkling with excitement. "I’d never hurt you, not even in my mind, so you’ll be safe. I’ll be watching and can open any path you need. Just let me know when you want out." Alistair pressed a kiss to Fin’s cheek. "Are you ready?"

"Yes, I think so," Fin replied, a flutter of excitement rising at the thought of witnessing the nightmare’s dreams.

Alistair scooted up the bed, sending small waves rolling beneath them. He lay back against the pillows, inviting and relaxed.

"Come lie on top of me," the nightmare beckoned, raising a hand and curling his fingers invitingly.

Goodness, Fin thought. Still, he scooted closer until he could nestle against Alistair.

"You trust me," Alistair murmured, wonder lighting his voice as he stroked a hand through Fin’s blue-and-black hair.

"You haven’t given me a reason not to," Fin pointed out, snuggling a bit closer.

"I never will," Alistair promised. "Now, rest your ear over my heart and close your eyes."

Fin ignored his blush and did as instructed, resting his ear against Alistair’s chest. He heard the nightmare’s heart skip a beat, and a gentle smile curved his lips as he closed his eyes.

"I love how you feel against me," Alistair confessed. "Listen to my heartbeat. Let it beat for you. Let the sound fill you until it’s all you hear—let your heart match mine. When the time comes, let yourself fall. I’ll catch you."

Though the falling part made him nervous, Fin did as he was told. He took slow, deep breaths, listening closely. When the pulsing of both their hearts aligned, a sudden wave of vertigo hit him. "Whoa!"

"Hush," came a gentle whisper in Fin’s mind. "I’ve got you. Open your eyes."

Fin blinked and found himself in a lush garden, squash and peppers growing behind rose bushes, flowers blooming everywhere. Willows ringed the wild space, their branches swaying. A small oasis caught his eye: a pond full of koi, circled with paving stones. On a bench, a woman with midnight-blue hair tossed breadcrumbs to the fish.

"She’s beautiful," Fin whispered. "Who is she?"

"I’m Alistair’s mother, silly boy." She didn’t look up, but a smile curved her lips. "Are you going to come over, or keep hiding behind the clematis?"

Fin, flushed with embarrassment, slowly made his way over. "Y-You’re very lovely, madam," he admitted quietly. His gaze shifted to the colorful koi. "How many of them are there?"

"Thank you. This is how Alistair sees me—the truth is likely less kind." She looked to the fish, and now that Fin was closer, he realized they were the strangest koi he’d ever seen. Each had odd gray symbols, almost like foreign writing, on their scales. "There are more than I can count—we can’t see them all at once." She dropped a handful of breadcrumbs into Fin’s palm. "You should pet one."

Fin’s face brightened at the very idea. "I’d love to!" He sprinkled breadcrumbs over an unfed spot and reached down to gently slide his finger along the back of one of the fish. "Wow…"

Suddenly, the fish turned, catching Fin’s finger in its toothless mouth. It didn’t hurt, but a strange tingle raced up his arm and into his head. His vision blurred, and his view shifted to what looked like a mostly empty classroom.

"Mr. Montcroix," called a tall, austere man with maroon hair back in a tight braid. A red diamond sat like a tattoo on his forehead. "Are you ready to tell the truth about who released the hart from its enclosure?"

Fin's vision moved from left to right, and he heard a young voice answer.

"I have nothing to say, sir, other than it is wrong to keep such a creature captive, especially in a tiny enclosure where it can't escape any cruel passerby who wishes to torment it."

"Then you'll accept the punishment for all of them," the man said icily. "Two others were seen with you. You'll take their punishment as well." He pulled a thin cane from a drawer.

"I understand, sir."

The vision faded, and Fin saw the fish swim away.

Fin searched desperately for the fish he’d touched and tossed it the biggest chunk of bread he had—for brave little Alistair.

"Your son is brave and kind," he whispered to the elegant woman.

The woman looked very pleased. "I agree, but I am biased." She brushed a few crumbs off her skirt. "You must not have seen the memory of when he was five and painted his entire body with my rouge and then hid up a tree, refusing a bath."

Fin laughed, a bit louder than he intended. "Forgive me, I just… think that’s incredibly charming," he admitted. "He sounds like he was quite the handful."

"He was something." The woman smiled wistfully. "So, he's chosen you? You must be something special."

The blush came back full force, and Fin wondered if he would ever be able to control it. "I...I don't know about that. I'm just a kid," he muttered.

"We'll see." She smiled knowingly, jeweled eyes twinkling. "What brings you here, little one? Alistair's never let anyone see his mind before."

"Alistair has seen my dreams, so I wanted to see some of his." Fin replied honestly. "I-I want to get to know him."

"You should look around." The woman smiled gently. "You can see some of his childhood here. This place is where he feels most safe and comfortable. Maybe you'll see it for real someday. I have more bread if you want to play with the fish." She nodded to a break in the willows. He noticed the crest on her forehead as her bangs shifted: a branching vine circling a rose, all in deep indigo. "When you're ready, go that way."

Ever more curious, Fin stood and smiled at her. "Thank you. It was nice meeting you!" he said as he headed toward the break in the willows, as instructed.

The woman waved and tossed more treats to the koi. Fin slipped between the trees onto a worn path, stepping over roots and fallen logs. The woods thickened behind him until the willows disappeared from view. The path narrowed, but finally, he saw light ahead. He brushed leaves from his hair as he emerged onto sunbaked dirt. Before him rose a mountain with a winding trail, and below, a cave glowing with firelight.

Fin looked longingly up at the slope that curved upwards, but in the end, he chose to follow the flickering light in the cave.

"I wonder where this one leads..."

As Fin entered the cool darkness of the cave, glass chimneys shielded flickering flames set in the wall. At first, rough rock pressed beneath his feet, but as he continued forward, the ground smoothed, then a soft red carpet covered it. Wood replaced the stone walls and led him to a long hall. Fin couldn't even tell if he remained in a cave. Doors appeared, first one, then more, until a line of them bordered the hall. Each door displayed a small window with a wooden shutter that concealed what lay behind.

Fin hesitated, then approached the first door and opened its shutter to look back into the hall. A soft moan made him straighten, hand still on the door. He couldn’t help turning to see who made the erotic noise.

The voice had been startlingly familiar.