Page 191 of Visions & Shadows

We lie down, and I snuggle close to his chest, pressing my face in the crook of his neck while he practically engulfs me with his body.

“Good night, my little dreamer,” he sighs, his tone filled with satisfaction.

I press a kiss to his skin before whispering, “Night.”

Closing my eyes, I get lost in Raighne’s scent, his warmth, and the feel of his body.

I relax more and more until I’m carried away into a dreamless sleep.

No matter how determined Raighne is to keep me at home, I say, “I just want to check on Fleur then we can come right back.”

“Give it a few days, Alchera,” he argues, not at all happy with me. “You need to rest.”

“She’s my friend. I promise it won’t take more than an hour.” I inch closer to him, and placing my hands on his chest, I give him the cutest pleading look I can conjure to my face.

“You’re not playing fair,” he mutters as he scowls down at me.

“Please,” I murmur, standing on my toes and pressing a kiss to his jaw.

“Only an hour,” he says, finally giving in.

A smile splits over my face, and turning around, I walk to the front door. “Where does she live?”

“It’s midday. Fleur’s probably at the sanitorium.”

I glance up at Raighne as he pulls the front door shut behind us. “What’s that?”

“It’s where they learn to make elixirs and cast spells.”

Right. I forgot what the place was called.

When we step into the road at the front of the house, it’s only to see Fleur standing two houses away, looking down at the ground and kicking a rock.

“Fleur,” I call out, and breaking into a run, a smile spreads over my face when her head snaps up.

Reaching her, our arms wrap around each other, and I hold her tightly to me.

“I wasn’t sure if it was okay coming by to say hello,” she says. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too.” I squeeze my eyes shut, happy to be reunited with my friend.

Suddenly, a sob bursts from her, and it makes me tighten my arms around her.

“I’m so sorry about River,” I whisper.

She just nods as she clings to me. “I was worried I’d lose you too.”

“Let’s go back into the house where you can have privacy,” Raighne says.

I keep an arm wrapped around her lower back as we follow Raighne into the house, then I say, “Sit down. Can I get you some tea?”

She shakes her head and hugs me again. “I’m so glad you’re back.”

I hold my friend for as long as she needs, and only when she pulls away from me, do I take a seat on one of the chairs.

She sits down near me, lets out a sigh, and looks at Raighne. “They say River didn’t suffer.”

Raighne crosses his arms over his chest. “Have they had his sepulturae?”

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