Page 195 of Visions & Shadows

“I’ll let you enjoy the celebration, but if you have some time next week, I’d like to have you over for tea and sweet cakes.”

“I definitely have time. I can come over tomorrow because I’d love to see Brenna being a mother hen.”

“Good.” She gives me another hug. “You can come over any time.”

I nod as she pulls away, and when she walks to where Aster is talking to two young women, I glance at Raighne.

“Snacks.” I grin at him. “You promised me snacks.”

With a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, he leads me to the nearest stall. The second I see the little paper bags filled with squares of crispy potatoes, I almost let out a happy shriek.

“Oh, you’ll love these, Princess,” the woman standing behind the table says.

“Just call me Alchera,” I tell her as I take a packet from her. “Thank you. It smells so good.”

She gives me a curious look, her eyes flicking between the snack and my face, and realizing she’s waiting for me to try one, I quickly pop a crispy potato into my mouth.

On the first crunch, my eyes drift shut, and I moan, “So good. Oh my God. This is food for my soul.”

“Don’t moan like that in front of everyone,”Raighne growls in my mind.“Only I get to hear you make that sound.”

I almost choke, and when I cough, he pats me on the back, a mischievous grin plastered on his face.

Turning my attention back to the woman, I say, “I’ll definitely be back later for another packet. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” she says, looking proud of herself because I liked the snack she prepared.

By the time I get to the fifth stall, I’m so full I’mgoing to burst, but I don’t have the heart to decline the colorful cotton candy spun around a stick and accept it with a smile.

“Enough eating,” Raighne says, leading me to where people are sitting on logs around a group that’s dancing.

Once we’re comfortable on one of the logs, Raighne takes the cotton candy from me and hands it to three teenagers. “Enjoy.”

“Thank you,” one of the girls replies while they all stare at me like I’m some kind of miracle.

“It’s because you are.”Raighne takes my hand and links our fingers.“You’ve come a long way from the Jane I found in Steamboat Springs. Everyone is proud of you.”

Jane. Wow. I haven’t thought about that name in a long while.

“The shy girl turned into a selfless warrior,”Raighne murmurs, his tone filled with pride.

I have to admit I’ve grown a lot from the socially awkward girl I used to be.

His eyes meet mine.“I had to live Two hundred and four years without you by my side.”

My mouth lifts into an affectionate smile.“Old man.”

He lets out a burst of laughter before his expression turns serious again.“Will you let me love you forever?”

“That’s a solid yes. You’re stuck with me.”

His fingers tighten around mine.“Does that mean you’ll become my wife?”

My eyes widen, and before I can even think of a reply, someone says, “Gosh, you’ve been so busy I didn’t think I’d get a moment to speak with you.”

I glance up, and seeing Luna, I climb to my feet. “Hi. How have you been?”

“Better than you,” she says. “Just training. I’m glad you’re back.”

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