Sira had struggled to create the dream. Darius had, in the training fields, pushed her from his mind forever. But with the weakened state of his body, she floated into his mind. Sira was, however, shocked that the only way to initiate and seal the kiss was do so under the guise of Alara. Stupid boy! What did he see in her, anyway? She had no power, no strength, and she was…plain—ordinary of the most boring kind.

  Of course, Sira ended the dream with herself so that Darius would know it was really her to whom he was truly attracted.

  Now she floated above the valley, waiting for the boy to emerge, and when he did, she saw it.

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