"Dreams are tricky. People usually remember what they see but not how they felt, and that can change the dream dramatically. Personally, I think they are the worst way to find one's mate, but who am I to judge?"
She heard him turn, and when she looked back, he had picked up his book again and was reading. Wasn't he going to ask her who she had dreamt of? Did he not ask because he knew she was Keelan's? This was so confusing!
She stood. "Keelan is all set for the night, I think I'll turn in. It's been the longest day of my life."
Kendrick stood, which made her smile. All of the men had courtly manners; the simple gesture made her feel special.
"Despite the outrageous changes in your life, I have to say you handled yourself with grace and intelligence. I know of much older individuals who would have broken down today, yet you came through the day shining brightly."
Anne felt her cheeks begin to burn. "I did faint when they first told me about Keelan."
Kendrick inclined his head. "As any normal person would do after finding out the dire circumstances of someone they care about."
Anne felt her eyes fill at his praise. "I don't think I could have done so well without you. Thank you, Kendrick."
"You are most welcome. Sweet dreams, Anne." Kendrick gave a slight bow.
Unsure whether she should curtsey in response, she did the next best thing. " 'Night," she mumbled and ran from the room.
She didn't stop running until she was leaning against the closed door to her own guest room. Drat that man for affecting her so much.
Mindlessly, she changed out of her clothes and into a sleep shirt. A quick trip to the bathroom left her with a clean face and freshly brushed teeth. She pulled back the covers and slid between icy sheets.
I bet Kendrick could warm these for me.
I mean with magic! Ahhh! Stupid hormones!
Anne pulled the covers over her head.
I wish I knew what to do!
Slowly her own body heat began to warm the bed and she drifted off to sleep.
*****
"Hurry up! Kendrick and the boys are waiting!" Keelan pulled her hand as they ran through the woods.
"Keelan, slow down!" Anne laughed. Keelan looked back at her, his usual smile shining brightly.
"I'm sorry for the confusion, it's my fault." Keelan navigated them through branches and low hanging limbs.
She was about to ask him what he was talking about when they ran out into a clearing. In front of them, a large picnic was laid out in the afternoon sun. Kendrick was laughing and wrestling with three auburn haired little boys who looked to be about three.
"Come on." Keelan tugged at her hand, but she couldn't move forward.
She knew without a shadow of doubt that the boys were hers. Tears filled her eyes; the children were so beautiful.
A cloud moved overhead, casting a long shadow. She looked at Kendrick then at Keelan. Who was the father of her sons? She looked back at Kendrick. He was sitting up, watching the boys as they started eating their lunches. He was waiting patiently, a gentle smile on his face.
"Who is my mate?" she whispered.
Keelan leaned in and kissed her on the forehead. "Ask Darian."
She turned to ask him what he meant, but the dream began to fade. She screamed, reaching for the boys to protect them from the darkness.
"Anne!" She heard Kendrick calling out to her.
She opened her eyes and sat up, gasping for air.
"Anne! Are you okay?" Kendrick sat at the edge of her bed, a worried look on his face.
Remembering the happy dream with Keelan and her sons made the darkness of reality that much harder to face. She buried her face in her hands and wept. There was no happy family for her. Keelan still lay in a coma in the next room, and the boys' laughter was a fading memory.
Warm arms enveloped her in a tight embrace. She held on to Kendrick's solid frame and laid her head against his chest. She let the rhythmic thudding of his heartbeat soothe her. For the first time since her parents had passed away, she didn't feel like she was all alone. Everyday in school, she had passed by people, never receiving more than a second glance or a nod as they walked by. At the hospital where she had trained, the only physical contact she had was when she reached out to help a patient. Did he know how intoxicating the very warmth of his skin was to her?
After a few minutes, he broke the silence. "Do you want to talk about it?"
She sniffled. "How did you know I was dreaming?"
"I heard you call out."
"Oh, no! Do you think I woke anyone?" She didn't think she could face anyone else if they came to see if she was okay.
She felt him shake his head. "I don't think so. The only reason I heard you was because I had just awakened from a dream myself and was reading."
"What did you dream?"
"It was a warm dream. It was bittersweet because it was wonderful but had to end."
"It was almost like because it was so wonderful the act of waking made it a nightmare," she whispered.
He pulled back and cupped her face with both hands. "Did you see Keelan?"
She nodded.
He dropped his hands to rest on either side of her body. "I did as well. He looked healthy and happy. He was smiling."
"It was like the sun was shining because he was smiling." She felt the dream starting to slip away.
"Did he say anything to you?"
She nodded again. "He told me to 'ask Darian'."