Authors: Kelly Varesio
Insperatus (54 page)
want
to see you, Rein, so badly that I fear I would give up anything else.” He felt for her hand but she was now standing. “Did you get up?” he asked.
was what he couldn’t stand—needing someone else to guide him in everything. But Rein was at least partly relieved because it was only something physical ailing him, and nothing more psychological. He couldn’t handle anymore mental stress, and neither could she.
Yes,” she said. “It’s much too chilly out here and I’m not in the mood for the cold.”
What do you want to do, Rein?” he asked sincerely. “You decide. Neither decision will be comforting, but we must make one.” He took a breath. “I want to marry you, Rein.” The way he spoke made her want to cry. “I’ll pretend if you can.”
I want to be yours, too,” she said. “And I don’t want to wait
years
.”
Chapter 84
He was standing at the front of a little church, waiting for Rein to walk down the aisle. He could hear the sound of birds outside the church; detect the faint smell of the garden that surrounded it; feel the vibrations of any subtle movements in the aisle; see only blackness.
Then he heard the piano music sound from the side of the church. They were getting married with no guests except for Taverin, whose quiet outbursts of excitement gave him a feeling of exhilaration. He realized that Rein must’ve been walking toward him already.
But then, suddenly, he felt like he had fallen asleep. He could almost see her, as if he were dreaming. He could see her eyes sparkling and her hair tied back loosely. Her dress had a low-cut neckline, provocatively revealing the top of her breasts. Her thin waist called for his touch, and her elaborate dress hugged her every curve all the way down to the floor, with a long train behind it, soft folds and hangings enhancing its beauty. A lace veil covered her heavenly face.
Just when she got close enough for him to take it off…he could finally see her face…
Wait—
Was
it a dream?
The minimum amount of time for his sight to return was an entire year, and it had only been a little more than a month.
A chill ran down his body because he swore he could see her figure.
It couldn’t be a dream…
Her hand touched his. He swore he was beginning to see it…
“
Traith, your eyes are setting fire again,” he heard her choke.
He felt himself smiling. He saw a blur of a smile and heard her laugh, and she grabbed him before the priest had had a chance to say anything. Her cheek touched his, and he felt tears on her skin.
He could see his wedding.
I, too, am mourning the loss of the leafy tree canopies that would give full cover from the icy rain and snow that now falls from the clouded January sky
, he thought, as if that were what the wolf cried for. The wildlife that lurked in the large forest seemed to be growing restless underneath the bareness of the icy trees. Restless, yes…hopefully not hungry.
Walked
…