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)
Ryan darts forward, and as his arms wrap around me, he says, “Breathe, Alchera.”
I shake my head as my body goes limp, and my vision grows spotty.
“Everything will make sense soon,” I hear him say as he lifts me into his arms bridal style.
“Peace be, Raighne,” I hear another man’s voice. “Is the princess okay?”
“Peace be. She’s just in shock. I have to get her to Janak and Aster.”
I manage to pry my eyes open and see a blur of greens and browns before I pass out.
Chapter 7
Raighne
I tried to be as patient as possible, but with the visions happening more often and that bastard, Robert, attacking Alchera, I had to bring her home.
With my charge in my arms, I start to make my way to the training camp, where Aster should be at the infirmarius.
I glance down at Alchera’s unconscious face, and seeing her without the glamor of the elixer, an intense sense of possessiveness fills my veins.
Mine.
I’m relieved to have my charge back on Vaalbara with me. Pretending to be a seventeen-year-old boy was frustrating as fuck.
I have to remind myself I’m still a stranger to Alchera. She never got to meet me before she was sent to Earth, even though we were bonded the moment she was born.
As I carry Alchera while I make the trek to the training grounds, I don’t grow tired at all. I could walk with her for days on end without any rest.
I keep glancing at her, checking for signs that she’s regaining her consciousness, but as the hours pass and she doesn’t come to, worry fills my veins.
I focus hard, and entering her mind, I find nothing but blissful darkness. Even though it sets me at ease, I pick up my pace and start to run.
When I finally carry her through the opening of the large tent that serves as an infirmarius, one of the caretakers calls out, “Aster! Come quickly.”
I head to the nearest bed and gently place Alchera on it. As I straighten up, Aster rushes into the room, and the moment she lays eyes on my charge, emotion washes over her face.
“Praise be to Awo for your safe return,” she says as she begins to take Alchera’s vitals.
“Will you remove the spell you cast over her?” I ask, impatient for Alchera to remember Vaalbara.
I hate how scared she was because she didn’t remember her world and people, and I want her memories back as soon as possible.
“Yes.” Aster nods her head, and a moment later, Janak comes rushing into the room.
I take a couple of steps backward to give them space so they can tend to Alchera.
My eyes never leave my charge as they begin to reverse the spell, the air filling with swirls of lights and sparks.
It takes too long for my liking and once they’re finally done, I ask, “Will she remember?”
Janak nods. “But it might take some time for all her memories to return, and some might be lost forever. We won’t know until she wakes.” His eyes meet mine. “I’ll send word to the King and Queen that Alchera has returned.”
I suck in a deep breath as I move closer to the bed. “How long before she wakes?”
“It all depends on her,” Aster says. “She’s in good health, Raighne. There’s no need to worry.”
Easier said than done.
I bring my hand to Alchera’s face and brush strands of her hair away. Positioning my palm over her forehead, I close my eyes and focus on her so I can enter her mind where I don’t find any dreams. There’s only the peaceful darkness of a deep sleep.
That’s good. Rest, my little dreamer.
I let out a sigh as I pull my hand away from her, and staring at my charge, I start to worry about the training. We have a lot to learn so we can communicate telepathically and strengthen our bond.
With time, it will get easier for me to feel what she feels and hear her thoughts.
Alchera
Coming to, I feel groggy, and whispering voices break through the fog in my mind.
My head lolls to the side as I pry my eyes open, and the first thing that registers is I’m lying on a bed in a large room of sorts.
I blink a couple of times before I notice a row of identical beds.
Turning my head, I see a stand with cotton balls, bandages, and other medical supplies in the far corner. Shelves line the walls, stocked with various brown bottles.
Am I in a hospital?
An elderly man and woman stand not too far from me, the woman holding a small bottle in her hand. It looks different from the ones on the shelves. This one is clear, with a small base.
The longer I stare at the elderly couple, the more familiar they start to look.
Wait a second.
The woman is the first to notice I’m awake. She has blonde hair and blue eyes and seems to be in her fifties.