Page 194 of Visions & Shadows

“What about you?” Dylan asks. “Do you get some time off now that you’re done saving our assess?”

“Yeah.”

“It’s weird seeing you with blue sparkly eyes,” Jason says. “But it looks badass.”

“Yeah?” I chuckle, feeling much better now that I’ve seen with my own eyes they’re all okay.

“Alchera,” Raighne says, pulling my attention away from my chosen ones. “There are more people to speak to.”

“I’ll catch up later with you all.”

When I turn around, it’s to see Janak, Aster, and my mother waiting.

“Peace be, Alchera,” Janak says loud enough for everyone to hear. “We’re overcome with joy to have you home.”

“Peace be is the way we greet each other,”Raighne reminds me mentally.

“Peace be,” I reply before fidgeting with my hands because it’s awkward as hell to have all this attention directed at me.

“You have made us so proud,” Janak continues. “This celebration is in your honor.”

My voice is strained as I say, “Thank you.”

With a gesture from Janak, the music fills the air again, and the celebration begins.

Janak walks to me, and in a softer tone, he says, “You must meet with me next week so I can explain your new destiny to you.”

Needing to know, I ask, “Is it bad?”

He shakes his head. “Not at all. It’s nothing to worry about.”

Feeling a little better, my mouth curves up. “That’s a relief to hear.”

“Raighne mentioned your idea of having a ceremony to honor the fallen,” he says. “We’ll arrange it for next Sunday.”

“Thank you.”

He reaches for my arm and gives it a squeeze. “Enjoy your day, Alchera.”

I nod, and when he walks away to speak to someone else, Mom comes closer. Her eyes drift over my face, then she asks, “How are you doing, sweetheart?”

“Better.”

When she hesitates to hug me, I move forward and wrap my arms around her.

I feel her body shudder, and I whisper, “You don’t have to be careful around me. I’m okay.”

She presses a kiss to the side of my head before pulling back. “The color in your face looks better. Did you get plenty of rest?”

I nod. “All I’ve done the past few days is eat and sleep.” Not seeing Brenna and Finian, I ask, “Where’s Brenna?”

“She’s with the children. She refuses to leave them for a second,” Mom says, letting out a sigh. “Of all my daughters, I never thought she’dbe the motherly one.”

“Is she okay, though?” I ask.

“Oh yes, she’s fine. It’s poor Finian I’m worried about because the man isn’t getting much sleep.”

Raighne lets out a chuckle but doesn’t say anything.

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