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“Carleah!” Fort says my name with whispered urgency, and it’s his familiar voice that brings me back to center.
His handsome face swims into view thanks to the dim moonlight pouring in from the window. Window. The house is back, whole again, and in knowing that, I take my first unhindered breath since I woke.
“I—he was here.”
“No one is here, Carleah. It’s just us.”
I shake my head. “It was so real.”
He cups my cheeks. “What did you see?”
“It was just a nightmare.” I force a smile and bury the nightmare down. Speaking it aloud will do nothing but prolong my frayed nerves and put more on Fort than he needs to carry.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“No.” I shake my head. “Not tonight, at least.” I lie back down, and Fort lies beside me. After settling my head against his chest, I wrap an arm around his waist and try to bask in this moment of lying with the man I love.
But my mind is solely focused on the imagery painted for me while I’d been asleep. Was it truly just a nightmare?
Or does the Son of Flame call to me?
Chapter 9
Fort
“Once again, this is amazing,” Carleah says as she takes a bite of eggs.
“Gathered them fresh this morning,” Kira says as she smiles appreciatively. Just as we did last night, we sit around their table, barely large enough to fit the four of us but far more comfortable than the expansive one back at the castle.
It reminds me of early mornings and late evenings with my mother. Seated closely together while we shared meals and not just ate them in the same space. It’s a difference not many who haven’t experienced both understand.
“You have been too kind to us.” Carleah sets her napkin down and moves it aside.
“Good, then you won’t mind me asking where you’re headed next,” William says.
Carleah and I exchange a look.
“May I ask if it’s Soreno?” Kira questions.
“No,” Carleah says. “We do not travel to Soreno right now.”
“Is it dangerous?” William asks. His gaze shifts from me to Carleah then back to her. I’d be on edge about his interest if I didn’t get the impression that the man is genuinely worried about her safety.
“A little,” Carleah admits. “But Fort and I have faced far worse.”
Even as I’m not sure that’s true, I keep my opinion to myself.
“You come back here anytime if you need a safe place to rest your head, darling,” Kira says as she covers Carleah’s hand with hers. “We will keep the oil burning for you both.”
She smiles at the woman, and I give her an appreciative nod as well. It is not often you cross paths with such genuine souls. “We are so grateful for everything you have given us,” Carleah says as she pushes back from the table and gathers her plate. “Can I help you clean up before we leave?”
Kira sits up a bit straighter, clearly taken aback. And I understand exactly why. It’s not often one of royal blood offers to get their hands dirty. But Kira and William are learning what I’ve always known: Carleah is not ordinary. “That would be lovely.” Kira turns to me. “William can show you the packs we’ve prepared for you.”
“Packs?” Carleah questions.
“Supplies,” William barks. “Come.” He doesn’t wait to see if I’ve followed before stalking out onto the porch. With a light shake of my head and an amused look at Carleah, I get to my feet and head out into the early morning sun.
Dew sticks to the grass and the branches of the trees, and despite the sun shining brightly overhead, the air around us is cool. William moves around the house and back toward the barn where Shadow grazes happily, now unconfined to a stall.
