Page 107 of Visions & Shadows

Standing outside her living quarters with my arms crossed over my chest, everyone gives me a wide berth.

The past week has been hell. Feeling the pain Adeth and Ares were subjecting her to and worrying about not getting to her in time almost killed me.

Scratch that. The past week was the worst I’ve ever experienced.

I glance at the doorway, feeling frustrated and hurt that Alchera minimized our kiss like that.

I thought she felt the passion, but I was wrong.

Maybe it’s just one-sided?

Fuck. I’m doomed to love my charge while she doesn’t feel the same.

There was a moment when I believed the attraction was mutual. Alchera kissed me back.

Maybe she was just caught up in the moment.

I let out a heavy sigh, not happy at all.

My growing love for her is not the only problem I have. Alchera keeps fighting me, never fully letting me in. Which means she’s either hiding something from me or she doesn’t trust me.

Both are bad because it will keep our bond from deepening.

What the hell am I going to do to get through to her?

Letting out a sigh, I stare up at the night sky as I try to find answers to the problems.

By the time I feel Alchera drift off to sleep, the camp is quiet.

Heading back into her living quarters, my eyes fall on her sleeping face as I walk closer to the bed.

Why won’t you fully connect with me, my little dreamer?

She makes an illegible sound before snuggling her face deeper into the pillow, and I wish that damned pillow was my chest.

She should be in my arms where she belongs.

Careful not to make a noise, I move the chair much closer to the bed and sit down. My eyes lock on my charge’s face, and my heart fills with the love I feel for her.

I almost lost you.

Never again.

And come hell or high water, I will find a way to get past your defenses.

Before she was taken, I fought my feelings for her, knowing I had no right. But after this fucked up week, I don’t care anymore.

I love Alchera, and over my dead body will I share her with another man.

I’ll find a way to make her love me.

I just have to.

Alchera moves in her sleep, and I reach out to take her hand but pause a mere inch from touching her.

She curls into a fetal position, and I’m surprised when her hand finds mine. “Raighne,” she mumbles, and her fingers wrap around mine.

“Shh…I’m here, my little dreamer.”

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