Chapter 42
For the past few weeks, Matthew had been busy keeping an eye on one of the new nightmares. Dream wanted to prevent another one from straying off the path, as had happened to the Corinthian. So with every new dream or nightmare he created, he had Matthew keep an eye on everything. It was for this reason that Matthew didn't experience the whole mess between Reggie and Dream.
Finished with his mission, he flew to the palace to report. He saw the destruction around him and that Dream and Death were sitting next to each other against one of the walls.
‘Bossman, did I miss something?’ He landed on Dream's knee.
Dream looked at him and grimaced. ‘Something like that, yes. Where have you been?’
‘Uhm...new nightmare, keepin’ an eye on it, is there a light going on somewhere, boss?’
Matthew looked worriedly at his boss. What was going on?
Death gave him a small smile. ‘Let's say that my little brother let his emotions get the better of him and he overreacted a bit.’
Just then Dream looked up. ‘She's here. She just fell asleep.’
‘Who?’ Matthew asked. ‘The little one? Why? What does it matter? What is it happening people?’ Dream let him talk and stood up from the floor. Matthew flew up and landed on a piece of rubble. Dream had started to walk away until his sister pulled him by the arm. ‘No, wait a minute, she's probably realizing that she's here somewhere, then she'll start to panic and it won't help if you rush towards her.’
Matthew suddenly realized what was going on. As if a lightbulb went on in his mind. Something had happened and the little one thought the king was angry with her. Then she could only be in one place. Deep in Fiddler's Green, under the big oak trees.
He rushed off, leaving his King, and flew towards the meadow. Once there, he soared through the sky, looking for Reggie, who was in the Dreamlands and thus a human girl. Being right on the location she would be, he found her underneath one of the bigger trees. She was sitting with her arms around her legs, rocking softly. She looked up when Matthew landed in front of her. ‘Guess I missed something huh?’ he quipped and immediately felt bad because tears ran over Reggie's cheeks. ‘Hey now, hold on, you’re not in trouble,’ he said reassuringly.
Reggie shook her head and whispered ‘I went against him. I actually stood in front of him while he was on his way to punish someone and I sort of begged him not to and then Isis came and he left and he was so angry, I could feel it and now I am here and I tried very hard to stay awake, but I was so tired and…and.’ She inhaled and wanted to say more, but Matthew, who for the umpteenth time cursed the fact he could not turn into a human as she could, hopped on her knees and wiped her tears away with his wing.
‘Listen to me. Death is with him now and I sorta get the feeling she talked some sense into him. And if she hasn’t, I will. He is an omnipotent immortal King and you are a human/ravengirl. He should calm the fuck down and give you a break.’
Reggie didn’t look convinced at his words. ‘But I disobeyed him while he gave me a direct order.’
‘He can shove that order where the sun don’t shine.’
‘Is that so?’ Both raven and girl froze, because not far from where they were, Dream stood, watching them with his bright eyes. Death stood next to him, smiling reassuringly at them both. Matthew turned so he faced Dream but remained seated on Reggie's knees. ‘You heard me.’
Dream raised an eyebrow. Death chuckled and held out her hand. ‘Come along Matthew. My brother and Reggie need to talk. Might be best if we let them be huh?’
Reluctantly Matthew flew over to her. Before Death could walk away, however, Matthew looked at Dream. ‘I know this means very little to you, but if you hurt her, I will personally lead the rebellion against you.’ Dream hissed angrily. Insolent brat of a bird. ‘Leave! Now!’
‘Brother…’ Death warned, but then she walked away, Matthew on her shoulder. Leaving Dream with Reggie, who looked at him fearfully. Dream looked back at the girl. Damn it. He sighed, pinched the bridge of his nose, and prayed for strength. Looking up towards the sky, he straightened his shoulders. He walked towards her and held his hands up. ‘Please, don’t be frightened. I have no intention of harming you. I merely wish to talk.’ The girl no longer looked as if she was ready to make a run for it and nodded, so he slowly walked over until he could sit next to her beneath the tree. It was silent for a few moments before both of them steadied themselves and in Reggies case whispered: ‘I’m sorry’
Dream sounded more resigned. ‘I’m sorry’
They said it at the same time and Reggie grimaced. Great, now she spoke when he wanted to speak first, but Dream smiled. ‘May I go first?’ he looked over and observed her. Pale as a ghost, with dark circles under her eyes, the girl looked like a wreck. Wonderful, Lucienne would be on his arse now too. Reggie in the meantime nodded to answer his question. Dream inhaled deeply and watched the woodlands around him.
‘I had a son, once. I loved him very dearly and when he died…I shut myself off. My wife and I, we drifted apart and for a very long time, I was alone. I had my Kingdom and my subjects, and I do care about them, obviously, but I never let anyone get close to me. Later on, I was held captive for many many years when some human tried to bound Death. He made a mistake with the ritual and got me instead. He wanted something I would not give him and I became bitter. My raven Jessamy was killed and it felt like, at that time, I was completely and utterly alone and I was angry at everything and everyone. When I was freed, I fixed my Kingdom, fixed my mistakes, and reconciled with my wife, even though we are no longer together.’
Dream paused for a moment. Reggie had listened without interrupting him and watched him intently. Looking into her eyes, Dream saw some apprehension, but no more fear like earlier. He continued. ‘Not very long after that reconciliation, you literally flew into me.’ He smiled at the memory and watched from the corner of his eye that Reggie smiled too. ‘And you broke the walls around me, bit by bit until simply looking out for you and teaching you became…something more.
I care very deeply for you and began to see you as my own. When that boy had hurt you, I saw red and wanted to get revenge. Not just for you, but also for my son, whom I had never been able to revenge. I crossed the line that day by ordering you around and making you feel I would hurt you. I am very sorry and want you to know, that if you wish it, I will make sure you will not have to interact with me again.’
‘You think of me as your own child?’Reggie asked in wonder. During his talk, she had started to lean into him. Dream nodded and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. ‘Yes.’ Before he could say more, Reggie had launched herself onto him and hugged him tightly. ‘I am sorry too, I should have stayed out of it. I don’t even like Ronald but I didn’t want you to kill him or something and I forgot my place. Will you forgive me?’
‘Always’, Dream spoke, swallowing the lump in his throat. ‘I love you. Will you forgive me?’ Reggie smiled into his chest and nodded. They hugged each other for a few moments more before Dream ended the hug by gently grabbing her arms and pushing her away slightly. Wiping his thumb over her cheeks, making sure all traces of tears were gone, he kissed Reggie on her head. ‘Shall we go and see where Death is? Maybe she is willing to act as a shield when I speak to your friend and teachers at Hogwarts.’ Reggie grimaced. That was probably a good idea. While getting up, neither saw that they were being watched.