Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 123779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 495(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 495(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
I turn my attention back to him and watch as he plates our food.
“Come eat,” he orders while he sets the plates down on the table.
I move to the seat beside him, a smile tugging at my mouth as I look at the delicious food. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He keeps staring at me until I spear a strip of steak and pop it into my mouth.
The flavor bursts over my tongue, and able to feel how much I’m enjoying the bite, a satisfied expression settles on his face.
We eat in silence for a few minutes before I murmur, “I’m sorry you lost River and Phoenix.”
“We all lost a lot,” he says.
He picks up his glass and takes a sip of water before continuing to eat.
“Can we hold a remembrance service of sorts? Something where we can honor the sacrifice they all made.”
Raighne’s eyes flick to mine. “That’s a good idea. It will help give everyone closure. I’ll speak to Janak and Aster so they can arrange it.”
I nod and take a bite of the sweet potato, and once I’ve swallowed, I say, “The food is delicious. Thank you.”
The corner of his mouth lifts as he watches me eat. “I love taking care of you.”
My eyes drift over his face, and I can’t begin to describe how thankful I am to have Raighne as my guardian.
The slight smile on his face morphs into a hot grin, and wanting to know, I ask, “Could you hear my thoughts when we met at school?”
He nods but quickly explains, “I’ve been trained to give you privacy. Back then, I only checked in when you were upset.”
I relax a little as I ask, “Did you know every girl was drooling over you?”
He takes a bite of his steak, his eyes not leaving mine. “Only one mattered.”
As I cut my carrot in half, I realize this is the first time in a long while we’re having dinner without having to worry about all hell breaking loose around us.
There’s no one left to save.
There’s nowhere to rush off to.
“You can finally rest,” Raighne murmurs. “Just rest, my little dreamer.”
I nod, the feeling of having fulfilled my destiny weirdly empty.
Raighne tilts his head. “Didn’t you hear what Awo said when he brought you back?”
Confused, I glance at him. “What did he say?”
“You have a new destiny.”
“Oh God,” I mutter, dropping my knife and fork. “What now?”
Letting out a chuckle, he places his hand over mine, giving it a squeeze. “You’re responsible for everyone’s dreams.”
More confusion pours into me. “How?”
“We’ll learn more about it from Janak. Don’t worry now.”
“Easier said than done,” I mumble as I pick up a slice of zucchini with my fingers and pop the vegetable into my mouth.
Once we’re done eating, Raighne rises to his feet, and leaning over me, he picks me up from my chair.
I wrap my arms and legs around him while asking, “What about the dirty dishes?”
“Tomorrow’s another day,” he mutters as he carries me back to bed.
We lie down, and I snuggle close to his chest, pressing my face in the crook of his neck while he practically engulfs me with his body.
“Good night, my little dreamer,” he sighs, his tone filled with satisfaction.
I press a kiss to his skin before whispering, “Night.”
Closing my eyes, I get lost in Raighne’s scent, his warmth, and the feel of his body.
I relax more and more until I’m carried away into a dreamless sleep.
No matter how determined Raighne is to keep me at home, I say, “I just want to check on Fleur then we can come right back.”
“Give it a few days, Alchera,” he argues, not at all happy with me. “You need to rest.”
“She’s my friend. I promise it won’t take more than an hour.” I inch closer to him, and placing my hands on his chest, I give him the cutest pleading look I can conjure to my face.
“You’re not playing fair,” he mutters as he scowls down at me.
“Please,” I murmur, standing on my toes and pressing a kiss to his jaw.
“Only an hour,” he says, finally giving in.
A smile splits over my face, and turning around, I walk to the front door. “Where does she live?”
“It’s midday. Fleur’s probably at the sanitorium.”
I glance up at Raighne as he pulls the front door shut behind us. “What’s that?”
“It’s where they learn to make elixirs and cast spells.”
Right. I forgot what the place was called.
When we step into the road at the front of the house, it’s only to see Fleur standing two houses away, looking down at the ground and kicking a rock.
“Fleur,” I call out, and breaking into a run, a smile spreads over my face when her head snaps up.
Reaching her, our arms wrap around each other, and I hold her tightly to me.
“I wasn’t sure if it was okay coming by to say hello,” she says. “I missed you.”