Page 187 of Visions & Shadows

No.

Closing my eyes, I use all my strength to hold onto her and groan,“Alchera.”

“I love you, Raighne.”Her words are faint, barely a whisper that trickles to me from afar.

Then the unspeakable happens, and I feel our bond snap with an intensity that slams me backward, sending me skidding across the floor.

“No!” I roar, despair ripping through me.

“Dear Awo,” Brenna gasps before uncontrollable sobs overwhelm her.

“No,” Queen Mya weeps. “Not Alchera as well.”

Lying on my back, I have zero strength to move as I stare at the ceiling. A horrible emptiness fills the hole left by the half of my soul that’s been ripped away, and I’m barely able to breathe.

Finian crouches beside me, his expression torn with worry. “Brother?”

“She’s gone,” I gasp, my heart cracking wide open until it feels as if my very soul is hemorrhaging.

Finian grabs my shoulders and holds me as tight as he can. “I’m so fucking sorry.”

I grab his arm as my body shudders through the devastation hitting me with merciless blows.

Alchera is dead. I failed her.

No!

The emptiness grows, threatening to drag me to the shadowlands where all hope and love are lost. Darkness creeps around the corners of my vision as I struggle to take a breath.

Suddenly a bright light fills the entrance hall, blinding us all, and then Awo’s voice echoes around us. “There’s no need to weep. A selfless act will not be punished with death.”

Stunned out of my mind, I somehow manage to push Finian away and struggle to my feet, but the moment Alchera starts to appear in the middle of the light, strength returns to my body, and I shoot forward.

When my arms wrap around her, new life is breathed into my soul, and I feel our bond tie us together once again.

My body shudders from the intense relief flooding me, and I can’t stop myself from gripping her as tight as possible.

“Alchera’s destiny isn’t over,” Awo informs us. “She’s been given the talent of visions and dreams. With her new destiny comes the responsibility for everyone’sdreams. At night, she will bring peace to those who sleep.”

Alchera stands frozen in my arms, and when I take hold of her chin, to look at her face, I see her eyes are shut as if she’s caught in a deep sleep.

“Be blessed,” Awo says before his light fades, and the moment he’s gone, Alchera gasps as she sucks in a desperate breath of air, her eyes snapping open.

Her irises are no longer emerald green but the softest shade of blue, almost like the blue lace agate stone that brings tranquillity and calm.

And there are no signs of the shadows that tormented her the past week.

She stares at me for a moment before she throws her arms around my neck, relief and happiness bursting in her chest.

I lift her from her feet, squashing the living fuck out of her. “Don’t ever do that to me again,” I growl, my entire being so fucking thankful I didn’t lose her. “I can’t exist without you.”

“I’m sorry,” she whispers by my ear. “Did Ares save the children?”

“You just came back from death, and that’s your first thought?” I ask,letting out an incredulous chuckle because it amazes me how selfless the woman I love is.

“They’re safe,” Ares’ voice sounds up as he suddenly appears before it’s followed by the sound of a baby crying.

I ease my hold on Alchera, and we glance at Ares, who’s surrounded by a teenager, three children, and a baby.

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