Like every night, you fight against invisible forces that slip into your open mind whilst you sleep, another feeble attempt after feeble attempt to keep him out. You two had a connection. An accidental one at that. One that started when you kissed him at a ball, to get some relief, try find someone new. Why did Scarlett come out with the love of her life, and you alone?

You remember finding the Deck of Destiny as a little girl, beautiful messy curls and remnants of baby fat on the apples of your cheeks. Your mother had hushed you with a story about them, but you held onto one. The Aracle. That had proved unhelpful and degrading to you, mentally, during the last Caraval. The Caraval you won.

You remember the Prince of Hearts. Oh, the days when you only knew him as a beautiful face on a card. Truth be told, the cards put him to shame. He is utterly gorgeous in person, messy blond hair that is begging to be tugged, lips that give kisses worth dying for, those pale blue eyes of every little girls first love. Sharp cheekbones and an even sharper jawline, soft glowing skin that told the ones that pay attention that he’s magical. A Fate.

And of course that’s the one you’ve ended up kissing. Ended up in bed with. No, no! Not like that. Only after he'd consoled you after your mother’s death. That night also marked the night you inadvertently got married, in a magical way. Fate magic makes no sense..

Since finding this out you’d discreetly tried to get him to drop how he did it, how to take it back, but to no avail.. nothing. For once, he can keep that lush mouth shut.

Tonight you dream about being on the beach, not the one in Scarlett’s Caraval, but the one near Valenda, a mile off the main city maybe? The sky is that plush comforting mix of lavender and darkening light blue. Grey clouds hang low. There’s a flutter in your stomach, then a presence behind you. Then a tingle on your hand. And a- a soft moan leaves your lips at the sensation on your neck.

It’s the first time you’ve ever truly felt in dreams. And it’s- him.

Your blood flashes cold with fury, before slipping into lukewarm then scorching again as he rumbles. “Hello, my love.”

It’s a dream. It’s a dream. Itsadream. ItsadreamItsadream-

“Hush,” He brushes a quick kiss to your jaw. “It’s only me.” The cruel, devastatingly handsome Fate your falling in love with, no big deal.