Page 193 of Visions & Shadows

Raighne lets out a burst of laughter, and I stare at him because I can’t remember if I’ve ever heard him laugh like that.

The sound fades away until he’s giving me an affectionate look. “We’lllaugh a lot more in the future.”

“I hope so,” I whisper.

It’s not even midday yet when I hear bustling and joyful music in the street outside.

When I woke up, I could already hear the villagers moving around to get everything ready for today’s celebration.

I’ve stayed hidden in the house for the past four days, and I’m not sure I’m ready to leave the walls that have become my sanctuary.

“It will be fun,” Raighne says once again as he holds his hand out to me.

I suck in a deep breath before I place my palm in his, and linking our fingers, he tugs me toward the front door.

The moment we step out of the house, my eyes dart up and down the busy street. There are stalls lining the sidewalks, and I swear I smell fries.

When we approach the gate in the knee-high wall around the house, a man I’ve never met before notices us, and he instantly throws his hand in the air, shouting, “Alchera’s here.”

Silence falls over the street, making me feel awkward as hell.

When we step onto the cobblestones, applause starts to fill the air as everyone moves closer, forming a tunnel of sorts for me to walk through.

“Nope,” I mutter to Raighne. “You said it would be fun.”

“Let them welcome you home,” he whispers. “You deserve this.”

My muscles tense up, and not having much of a choice without looking like an ungrateful asshole, I walk down the street, doing my best to force a smile on my face.

“Welcome home, Princess,” a lady calls out.

“You were missed,” another shouts.

Soon, the air fills with people telling me how loved I am, and it makes it near impossible for me not to cry. I swallow hard, keeping my chin raised, but then I see my chosen ones, and the battle is lost.

Letting go of Raighne’s hand, I hurry to them, and when Jason openshis arms, I plow into his chest.

He gives me a bear hug, then says, “It felt weird not getting to see you the past few days.”

When he lets go of me, the others take turns giving me hugs, and when it’s Sarah’s turn, she sobs, “Thank you for saving us.”

She looks so much better, and I assume Aster managed to heal her.

“Yes,” Dylan agrees. “And sorry for the hard time some of us gave you.”

I let out a chuckle as I pull free from Sarah, and looking at each of them, I’m relieved to see they seem to be okay. “How are you all holding up?”

“It’s an adjustment,” Jason mutters, “But it’s not bad. The leather clothes are weird as fuck, though. I miss jeans and T-shirts.” He gives me a happy grin. “And I’m glad to be reunited with my animals. Thank you for saving them, Alchera.”

A lump forms in my throat as I nod.

Before I get too emotional, Matt says, “They said as soon as we’re settled, Sky and I can work at the seminarium. I have to learn everything about Vaalbara, and I’m looking forward to it.”

I glance at Lydia and Pearl. “Will you work at the infirmarius?”

They nod, and Lydia mentions, “But apparently, we need to learn about stuff called elixirs before we can start working.”

“I’m glad you’re all finding your place,” I say.

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