Skylar still couldn’t quite believe all this was happening… Well, she supposed it was a dream, so whatever. Time to enjoy it.

Her heart sped up as she followed Anders out of the cell. When his hand reached back to grasp her own, she felt a little zing go up her arm. It was easy to feel the strength in his grip, and her mind wandered to other places, imagining what it would feel like to have that hand framing her face…

She shook off the thought as he said something, trying to pay attention as he led her out into the night and through the city. She only had a vague idea of the direction they were going—this part of the game was always a distraction because of Anders being right there—but pretty soon they were surrounded by trees, and his black stallion was there, almost blending in with the night.

With a smooth strength, Anders pulled himself easily up into the saddle before reaching down to pull her up behind him.

“Hold on tight, Zariel,” he said, startling her a little. “We have to move fast. We need to reach the rebel camp before the night is through. Otherwise, we risk being captured by the Emperor’s men. He has eyes and ears everywhere in the city.”

Skylar had absolutely no problem wrapping her arms around his waist and pressing herself against his back. She could feel the strong muscles rippling there as he urged the horse to ride fast into the night.

This was just…wow. Amazing. She couldn’t believe she was really here. Wrapped around Anders, the most perfect man in this world—or any world.

With the wind rushing past them and sending her hair flying behind her, she couldn’t help but give in to the urge to lean her cheek against his back, listening to his steady breaths even as they galloped through the forest.

It was surreal, and she still couldn’t believe how much better the entire game was when you could live in the 360 degree version of it. I hope this dream never ends…

Anders’s voice broke her out of the reverie. “Are you all right?”

She snapped back to attention, remembering what she was supposed to stay at this point in the game. I probably need to relay my next words with the gravitas that Zariel always has… Well, here goes.

“Yes, I’m here, and we will defeat the enemy,” she said slowly, wondering if she was overdoing it with the deepened tone of voice. Thank god she had half the script of this game memorized.

To her relief, Anders seemed as pleased as he always was with her words. “Yes, we will. I’m glad of your confidence. I feel like we have a good chance now with you on our side.”

Despite knowing what Zariel would usually say at this point, Skylar couldn’t stop herself from blurting out, “Me?”

“Of course. You’re an important member of the team. There’s a reason I sought you out.”

She realized in that moment that no one had ever said those words to her before. In the real world, no one ever told her that she was important…and she had never realized just how much it meant to her until Anders said it. But beyond that…she was even more certain that as long as she acted like Zariel, she would make him love her in no time.

***

Skylar stirred at the gentle tap on her arm. Oh, I guess I fell asleep during the ride.

It was no longer night. The sun was beginning to rise over the horizon, and Anders was now making his way down a hill. She could see the tops of tents in the distance. It was the Rebel Camp, where his army awaited them.

At the bottom of the hill, Anders pulled on the reins, bringing the horse to a halt as someone else came up and took the reins, tying the horse to a tree.

Anders slid smoothly out of the saddle and reached up to catch Skylar as she did the same. She couldn’t help but revel in the moment where their bodies pressed against each other. Even once her feet were on the ground, she gazed up into his handsome, princely face.

Their eyes locked, his amber gaze boring into her, as if he could see right through her.

Skylar wasn’t sure what was about to happen—or what could happen—because in that instant a small figure came rushing toward them, throwing herself into Skylar’s arms.

What the…

Irritated at the interruption, it took her a moment to realize that the person hugging her was Penny.

She wrapped her arms around the petite woman, who, in this world, was her best friend.

“I knew that you would be okay,” Penny said, pulling back to look at her.

“Did you ever doubt me?” she asked, remembering the teasing cockiness Zariel always had with her best friend. She glanced over at Anders, who smiled at them before turning away to speak to some of the other people in the camp.

“Come on,” Penny said, tugging Skylar away. “I want to introduce you to the gang.”

Skylar followed with a laugh as Penny began pointing out members of the group. Of course, Skylar already knew who every one of these people were. She’d played the game so many times she had their names memorized: Klara, the weapons whiz, who could find and make anything she found into something deadly. Coren, the bold risk-taker—he was a wild card. Luna, the potion master and expert in both deadly and useful herbs. Ranger, the silent but extremely skilled archer who could hit a target from almost a mile away.

Meeting them felt strange, but in a good way. Her dream really was getting more and more elaborate. When they all gathered together to listen to Anders’s speech, she only half listened. He spoke the same dialogue she’d heard countless times before about the task ahead of them—defeating the villain. Basically, there was a bad guy to be beaten, and Anders was hoping they would succeed so that he, the real prince, could lead the kingdom once more.

“One day soon, I will sit on the throne, and this kingdom will be free of that menace!”

A resounding cheer went up from the men and women all around, and Skylar couldn’t help but be infected by the atmosphere, especially when Anders declared, “But for tonight, we welcome our newest ally in this fight for justice!”

Remembering this part from the game, Skylar happily went along with it, falling easily into the rhythm of conversation, laughter, ale, and food cooked over the fire—which smelled pretty good, actually, and she was starving. Was it normal to be this hungry in a dream? Maybe.

The general atmosphere was boisterous. Everyone seemed confident that they would succeed in their quest. As she drank her ale and enjoyed the food, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of belonging, like these people were her family. They knew and accepted her.

When the festivities were winding down, Skylar stayed up by the fire, watching the flames crackle. They seemed so damn real.

“You should get some rest,” Penny told her. “You’ve had an eventful day.”

“I will,” Skylar promised, smiling. “I just need a moment to myself.”

“Are you okay?” Penny asked, her brows scrunching in concern.

“Yes, I’m fine,” she reassured her, relieved when Penny went off to join the others.

Left on her own by the fire while everyone else went to sleep, she waited eagerly, knowing what was coming next.

A giddy feeling welled up inside her when Anders came up from behind and settled down next to her, close enough that his thigh brushed against her own.

She fought the instinct to shiver at his touch. Get it together. Remember, you are Zariel, and you are cool.

“I was thinking,” Anders began, staring into the fire, “that now might be a good time to discuss why I feel that you, Zariel, are so important.” He turned to meet her eye. “Bringing your friend Penny here was an act of good will. Other people have their eye on you, even our greatest enemy, and I know how important you are.”

Skylar said nothing, aware that Anders had a lot to say. She’d heard it all before, of course. But his voice, this close, this real, was incredible to listen to.

“I know,” he continued, eyeing her, “that you have a power you shouldn’t have. You have the talents of the Oracle.”

Going along with the storyline, Skylar didn’t deny it. “I had a feeling you knew about what I can do,” she said, repeating the script.

Anders reached out, settling his hand over hers. It felt warm. “I want you to know that I’m not here to use you. But I believe that you alone can help my cause.”

A feeling of importance surged inside her. It was a feeling she had never known in real life, and she wanted to savor it.

“I will do whatever it takes to help you,” she said.

Anders leaned close, his voice soft. “I know you will.”

Skylar glanced at his lips and realized with a little jolt that he was doing the same to her. I wish I could kiss him. But it takes so long into the game before you’re given the option. But…Maybe…I can just do it now.

She leaned forward, hoping, wishing.