Free Night Veil by Yasmine Galenorn

is going to be dangerous enough because you must go into the Golden Wood to find your way there.”
    She took her place on the makeshift throne, and I sat cross-legged on the grass next to her, enjoying the warmth from the sun.
    “She looks to cover the world in a new ice age, doesn’t she?” I asked.
    Lainule hung her head. “Perhaps not the world, but her territory, yes. Winter’s banging at the door, and unless we can stop her, there will be no summer to balance out the world. Do you understand why Geoffrey and I had to try? Why we hoped this plague would stop her?”
    Biting my lip, I nodded. “I do, but . . . Grieve. Please don’t tell me to forget him, because I can’t promise you. Not like I did to keep silent about the heartstone. I love him, Lainule—he is a part of me and there’s nothing I can do to change that. But I will be cautious.”
    I picked a blade of grass and chewed on it for a moment. “How do I enter the Court of Dreams? How do I save Kaylin?”
    Lainule smiled then, and once again the sun emerged from behind a lazy cloud. Summer’s tattered robes were still brilliant and beautiful, and not yet fully stripped away. And whatever I could do to keep Myst from destroying the joy of summer, I would willingly do.
    “There is a portal in my realm that leads to the Court of Dreams. It is not near the barrow, so if you are cautious, you should be able to reach it. I would not allow you to journey into Myst’s territory without good reason, but Kaylin . . . he will be needed before this war is over. Once you find the portal, you can enter the Court of Dreams and seek out the Bat People. Ask their shaman for help—explain what happened.”
    “Are they dangerous—the Bat People?”
    Lainule pressed her lips together for a moment, then took my hand. “Child, everyone in your world is dangerous, including your own self. Get used to it—no matter whom you are talking to, they will be a danger. The Bat People are . . . unpredictable. They can be intimidating and they can be terrifying. But they are not unjust. Use caution, use diplomacy, watch your temper.”
    “Can I take someone with me? I can’t do it alone,” I whispered. The thought of facing the journey by myself frightened me. Not only the Shadow Hunters, but also Myst’s spiders and the goblin dogs and tillynoks and other creatures pledged to the Ice Queen haunted the woods.
    “Take Chatter with you. He knows where the portal is.”
    As I jerked my head up, she laughed.
    “Yes—I know you have him with you. I am grateful you were able to save him. He was always a good servant and playmate for Grieve. And take your friend Peyton. She can help you through the woods. Do not take your cousin or the vampire lackey. I do not fully trust him, and your cousin is too unpredictable in her powers yet. Chatter can run camouflage, you and Peyton can shift into animal form . . . both factors may save your lives.”
    “I suppose I’d better be quick about it. When should we leave? If we wait till tomorrow morning when the Shadow Hunters are sleeping off their pain, will it be too long for Kaylin?” I didn’t want to go into the woodland at night. I really didn’t want to face Myst’s people when they were awake and hunting.
    But Lainule dashed my hopes. “No, you must leave soon. Go as soon as you’re home. You may have enough time before nightfall to make it to the portal. I wish I had more help to give, but any additions to your party will call attention. Tell Chatter I entrust your life to his care.”
    And then the Queen of Summer leaned forward and kissed my forehead. “My kiss will not protect you, but may it gird your heart and when you are afraid, remember, the Court of Rivers and Rushes believes in you. I believe you can do this, Cicely. I have faith in you.”
    As her guard led me away, I glanced over my shoulder just in time to see Lainule reach her hand up to catch a sunbeam. It traveled down her arm, bathing her in light, and for