Dorian's POV

The first breath back in this world felt like ice in my lungs. Sharp. Real.

I staggered forward, blinking as the veil between dream and waking tore itself away. My hands were still trembling from the last trial, but I wasn’t alone. Tiberius emerged next to me, groaning as he clutched his head.

We were back.

Not in that shadow realm. Not in the warped illusions. Here. Flesh. Bone. Earth.

And we weren’t alone.

“You made it,” came the ...