Vasily came into view first, emerging from the thick tangle of thornbushes near the archyway where Phelan had performed Thom and Marin\u2019s handfasting. Phelan\u2019s breath caught in his throat, his heart starting to pound a bit faster\u2014perhaps almost too fast.<\/p>\n
He could feel<\/em> her presence. He started to walk toward where he could see Vasily, toward the archway\u2014toward his sister, who he could sense again, clear as day, for the first time in months. His throat grew tight and it was suddenly hard to breathe, must less speak.<\/p>\n Aoife.<\/em><\/p>\n He heard Sif swearing at him as he broke into a run, caught the crunch of her boots on the gravel behind him. He didn\u2019t care. Let her catch up.<\/p>\n His sister was worried, angry, annoyed\u2014a maelstrom of emotions pulsed along their heritage-born link, the bond of blood that tied them together. She was also almost close enough to touch.<\/p>\n Vasily blinked slightly as he met Phelan\u2019s gaze, then stepped clear of his path. Phelan caught a glimpse of his sister a moment before she saw him and his heart swelled with a mixture of relief and pride.<\/p>\n She looked well, his little sister, if perhaps a bit thinner than he\u2019d hoped. She was mud-spattered and a little bedraggled, bit clearly healthy and whole.<\/p>\n \u201cAoife,\u201d he said. Her head snapped up.<\/p>\n \u201cPhelan,\u201d she breathed, as if his name were a prayer and a curse all at once.<\/p>\n His little sister rushed toward him and engulfed him in a hug. He buried his nose in her hair and held her tightly.<\/p>\n \u201cD\u00e9ithe agus arrachtaigh<\/em>,\u201d she whispered in his chest. \u201cIt\u2019s good to see you, Phelan. It\u2019s so good to see you.\u201d<\/p>\n Phelan squeezed her close. \u201cNot as good as it is to see you, Aoife.\u201d He took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly, throat still too tight, emotions choking him. \u201cWelcome home. Welcome to hope.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Vasily came into view first, emerging from the thick tangle of thornbushes near the archyway where Phelan had performed Thom and Marin\u2019s handfasting. Phelan\u2019s breath caught in his throat, his heart starting to pound a bit faster\u2014perhaps almost too fast. … Continue reading