Page 47 of Visions & Shadows

“You’ll both get past this. It’s Brenna’s destiny to assist you, and she feels it’s beneath her. She and Finian will join us when we go to retrieve the chosen ten.”

“By the looks of things, that’s going to be fun,” I mutter sarcastically.

Raighne leads me to a tent that’s situated next to an old oak tree.

“Brenna is also responsible for training you in combat,” Raighne says, dropping a bomb between us.

My eyebrows fly up, and I glance at him. “It looks more like she wants to kill instead of train me.”

“She’s just emotional from receiving her destiny, but she’ll calm down, and hopefully, you can become friends.” Even he sounds doubtful. “Concentrate on the present and leave the future for later.”

I shake my head, highly doubting that will happen.

Chapter 9

Alchera

The tent is much biggerinside than it looks from the outside.

There’s a room with wooden chairs situated around a coffee table. Brown and cream-colored pillows and soft-looking quilts add warmth to the otherwise bland decor.

We walk further into the tent, which opens into a smaller space with a bed.

Just seeing the covers and pillows, exhaustion washes through me.

All I want to do is sleep until this nightmare ends.

On one side of the room stands a tub and sink. There’s also a cupboard beside a window, a pattern of flowers and vines carved into the wood.

“This will be your home while we train,” Raighne informs me.

I glance around again and say, “Thanks.”

“My living quarters is next to yours. Your clothes are in the cupboard, and your aide will be here shortly with something to eat.”

Nodding, I turn to face him.

For a moment, my anger and heartache were forgotten with all the information that was dumped on me, but the emotions quickly return when I meet his eyes.

Exhausted to my core, I whisper, “I’d like to be alone.”

Raighne nods, his eyes drifting over my face with worry still etched deep into his features, then he tells me, “Tomorrow will be very busy, so I suggest you get to bed early.”

I stand frozen like an idiot when he leans down, his hand wrapping around the side of my neck. He presses a kiss to my forehead, then says, “I’ll see you in the morning.”

I hate when a fluttering explodes in my stomach, and I clench my jaw as I watch him leave.

Staring at the doorway, I shake my head.

You have to get over the unwanted feelings you have for the man.

Finally alone, I let out a heavy breath and glance around the room that will be my home for the unforeseeable future.

I still can’t process everything that’s happened and feel utterly overwhelmed.

Sighing, I walk to the cupboard, and when I open it, I find a few pairs of leather outfits and boots.

God, I’m going to miss jeans and sneakers.

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