Page 180 of Visions & Shadows

“We were happy before you were sent away, and we’ll be happy again,” Brenna says.

I shake my head. “Dad and Roark are dead, and God only knows where Thana is.”

“We’ll be happy again,” Brenna insists, and taking my hand, she gives it a squeeze. “It might take some time, but we’ll find a new normal.”

She climbs to her feet and pulls me up. “Come. There’s someone who’s dying to see you.”

“Who?” I ask as we begin to walk back in the direction of the village.

“Mom.”

With everything that’s happened, I forgot about her.

Instantly, an anxious feeling fills my chest.

I search my mind for the few memories I have of her. The last time I saw her, she had blonde hair like Thana. I couldn’t get a good look at her at Dad’s funeral.

A memory of Mom tucking me into bed flits through my mind, and I remember feeling loved and safe.

An eternity has passed since, and I’m not so sure I’ll be able to pick up where we left off five years ago.

As we near the village, people are all gathered around the chosen ones, giving them a warm welcome. There’s no sign of Sarah and Pearl, and I assume they’re with Aster in the infirmarius.

Brenna takes my hand and pulls me down a path that cuts between two houses that are built with some kind of rock and with roofs made of wood. Some houses have ivy climbing up the walls, whereas others have vines with pretty white and purple flowers.

Even though we’re in the village, there are so many flowers and plants, it still feels like it’s a part of nature.

“We’ll sneak around the back so we don’t get bombarded by the villagers,” Brenna explains. “You can face them at the celebration they’ll have for you returning with the chosen ones.”

“Yes, please,” I mutter as I follow her down a narrow cobblestone path, then I add, “I’m not so sure about the celebration, though.”

“It’s something you can’t avoid,” she says, giving me a teasing grin.

It’s a good twenty-minute walk before we reach a large building that looks like a castle. I vaguely remember the place.

Home?

We enter via a side door, and when we walk down a corridor that’s lit up with oil lamps, I feel a sense of familiarity.

As we round the bend, a woman shuts a door up ahead, then her eyes fall on us and she freezes. The blood drains from her face, and the next second, she starts to run.

“My baby!”

It takes a moment before I recognize her, and then she plows into me. Her arms grip me tightly and sobs burst over her lips.

Mom.

I stand frozen for far too long before I manage to lift my arms and wrap them around her.

“Thank Awo,” she gasps. “I’ve missedyou so much.”

My throat strains and my eyes burn, then her familiar scent drifts to me, and my body jerks.

The moment is too intense, and my lips part with a silent cry as I break down in her embrace. Instantly, I feel Raighne’s warmth flow through me, letting me know he’s close by should I need him.

Mom’s hand cups the back of my head, and she rains kisses down on the side of my face while I cry my heart out.

“Oh, to hold Eryon’s baby in my arms again,” she sobs. “Awo has blessed me.” She keeps peppering me with kisses until the intense feelings settle into an awkwardness that tenses the air.

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