'If you don't open your fucking eyes right now..."

Calix's voice exploded in my head, followed by another jolt of electricity so strong I just knew if I had a physical body left, it would disintegrate. A metallic tang coated my tongue, and I gagged as blood pooled in my throat. None of this made any sense.

"Luna!"

My eyes flew open as I gasped, my back arching off the bed. I fell back, wheezing with every breath I took. Above me, the ceiling fan whirled slowly, coming in and out of focus. This was the bedroom Calix had been sleeping in while he'd been under the Dream Weaver spell. We'd made it back.

Warm hands cupped my face and forcefully turned my head. Tears filled Calix's eyes as he looked me over, and when I smiled weakly at him, he peppered my face with soft kisses. Our bond pulsed and glowed as brightly as the lightning he channeled.

"What happened?" I asked, sitting up with his help.

Kinley stood across the room, leaning against the wall. Arms folded across her chest, she stared at me as if I were a ghost, which was funny considering her complexion was phantom white right now.

Calix climbed on the bed and pulled me against his chest. His arms locked around my waist, and I settled into his embrace, noting how his heartbeat slowed the longer he held me.

"You were stuck in the Dream," Kinley answered, dragging her hand over her face as she pushed off the wall. "I've never seen anyone come out of that before."

"You've never met me before," Calix retorted, his grip tightening for a moment as if afraid I might suddenly vanish. I grabbed his hand and squeezed back, needing my own reassurance.

"Yes, well...Let's chalk this up to things we don't need to experience again."

The door flew open, hitting the wall with a bang. Black mist whirled around Calix. One moment he was behind me and the next he had my father by the throat.

"Who the fuck are you?" He growled, fangs protruding.

"Calix." My legs wobbled as I rushed around the bed to his side. I put my hand over the one he had on my father's neck. "This is my father. He won't hurt us."

Not anymore than he already had.

He dropped him and stepped away, brows scrunching together. "Are we in your dream now? I thought your father was dead."

"So did I, but apparently that was all a big lie."

Kevin rubbed his neck, his eyes sad behind his glasses, but he did address my comment. Instead, he said, "I'm glad to see you're okay. Nas told me you were dying."

Kinley bit her lip. "Sorry, he was waiting outside when he heard the commotion. I told him to get your father."

"It's fine."

Calix sighed and threw his arm around my shoulder. "I'm very confused."

"It happens when you've been napping as long as you have."

We both shot Kinley a dirty look, and she threw up her hands as she skirted behind my father to leave the room. Kevin wiped his glasses on his shirt and cleared his throat as he put them back on.

"This is good, right?" Calix asked. "You don't have to find the source of the...the...vid—mov—eos."

I couldn't hold back the snicker as he fought for the right words. "Videos. And yes, I got the answer I needed, which means we can head back to Faerie ASAP."

"Now wait a minute," Kevin said. "You just got here."

"I thought I made it clear I wasn't interested in doing the warm, fuzzy daughter and father reunion. Not since you lied."

"And I thought I made it clear that I had a good reason. Just because you don't like it, it doesn't mean that it's wrong."

"And just because we share the same blood, it doesn't mean we have to have a relationship."

He thrust a hand toward Calix. "You. What would you do to protect your mate? Would you die for her or never see her again if it meant she was safe?"

"Dad, that's not fa—"

Calix cut me off. "I would do all of that and more. Even if she hated me for it."

"Are you serious right now?" I shrugged Calix's arm off and pushed him away. It was a pitiful shove, since my limbs were still weak from being electrocuted half a dozen times.

"I'm not going to lie to him."

"Fine. Whatever. You agree with each other, but it doesn't change that we got what we came for. Aisling is my mother. I can declare my own Court and be free from the influence of the other Courts."

Calix didn't look surprised, nor did he look eager to leave. His expression was carefully neutral as he stared at me, but when his gaze flicked toward my father, I saw something a little like longing flare behind his silver eyes.

"We have time, Luna."

"Do we? You know time moves differently. Days have already passed. We need to stop Niamh before she does more damage."

"And we will. But you may never get this chance again. Don't waste it."

Kevin sniffled and hooked his thumb toward my mate. "I like him."

"Fine. But only because I think you should talk to the other Fae here."

"Of course." Calix turned to my father. "There is something I'd like to do while I'm here."

My father shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. "Sure. If I can help you, I will."

I'd like to know what human males do when they wish to claim a male's daughter."

Kevin and I turned identical shades of bright red. He wrung his hands, looking at me helplessly. This conversation had taken a sharp left turn, and I half wished I could go back to dreaming.

"Um, well...I guess, you see...Men don't claim women here. At least not in our culture."

"Then how do you know who belongs to whom?"

Kevin brightened, and I braced myself for whatever he was about to say. "Some people get married. They wear wedding rings. That's a physical mark that tells others you are taken. And sometimes, men who are old-fashioned will ask the bride's father if they can marry her."

Calix nodded slowly, then reached for my hand. His thumb rubbed a circle over the space where a wedding ring would go.

"Kevin Quinn, I would like to ask permission to marry your daughter."