Aspen and the Dream Walkers

  Chapter 23

  Bolt from the Blue

  Tiny beams of sunlight danced on Aspen's eyelids, and she yawned and stretched languidly. She opened her eyes and pulled the quilt in front of the offending sun. It took a few second for her to remember the events from the previous night, and she felt her arms to see if they were still bruised. Her body was uninjured, so she hopped out of bed.

  A soft knock on her door made her turn around to see her mother poke her head around it.

  "Ah, are you awake?"

  "Hi, Mom. Yeah, I'm awake. How did I get back?"

  "Dylan brought you back. He said you were very tired."

  "Oh." She looked down and noticed she still wore her T-shirt from the previous night, but her jeans were folded over the chair opposite the bed. Her dream catcher was lying on top of the jeans, so her friends must have found it and returned it.

  "How did I get into bed?" she asked hesitantly.

  "Dylan carried you upstairs and put you to bed. You were exhausted."

  "What about Uncle Leeman?"

  "He said he would be home later. They found a prisoner and he's looking after him. He said you should go to school today."

  "Great. I almost forgot about that. Am I late?" she squealed.

  "No, sweetie, I'm taking you there so we'll make it in time. Have a shower quickly, you smell like smoke. I've made something to eat that you can take to school."

  "Thanks, Mom."

  Norma smiled and left the room. Aspen rushed through the shower and towel-dried her long hair before slipping into a pair of white shorts and a lilac T-shirt. She grabbed a pair of cork sandals and her dream catcher, and rushed downstairs with her backpack over her shoulder.

  After her mom dropped her off at school, she searched for Sandy and Dylan without success. With Miriam being expelled, she didn't need to worry about being confronted by anyone during classes.

  Once the last bell of the day had rung, she picked up her backpack and walked outside.

  Norma waited in the Honda outside the school gates, and Aspen opened the passenger door and slumped into the black leather passenger seat.

  "Any word?" she asked.

  "No. Nothing. How was school?" Her mom smiled brightly. With a bit of makeup and a sleek new hairstyle, she was looking much better. Aspen studied her mother's face carefully. She was actually a very pretty woman.

  "School was okay. I didn't see Sandy or Dylan, and I'm dying to know what happened last night."

  "Why don't you use your dream catcher and visit Lanta?"

  "I'll probably do that if they aren't back soon. I've got some homework to do before I can go." She leaned her head against the headrest as Norma maneuvered into traffic.

  They drove through the tree-lined streets for a short while and turned into the driveway of Leeman's house. The gate was closed, and Aspen jumped out to open it so her mom could park the car.

  Once Aspen had settled in her room, she tackled an English essay first and then studied for a physics test. Norma had changed the television to a music channel and hits of the nineties played downstairs. Not too loud to interfere while she studied, but loud enough for her to sing along with as she turned the pages of her books.

  Although she was tempted to leave everything and transport to Lanta, she was still embarrassed about the previous night. Dylan had seen her at her weakest, and probably thought she was a poor excuse for a princess. No doubt he agreed with Ruby about Aspen's Halfling status. Nope, she could wait a while before seeing him again.

  She'd just completed her homework when Norma called her downstairs to help with dinner, and she decided to wait until bedtime to cross over.

  "Can you set the table, sweetie?" Her mom stirred a meaty stew that smelled delicious.

  "Of course. It smells great." Aspen sniffed the air appreciatively.

  "This was your dad's favorite. He used to sneak downstairs and heat up a bowl of the leftovers in the middle of the night." Norma placed the spoon back on the counter and stared out the window. "He said the stew tasted better after soaking for a while." She smiled sadly.

  Aspen walked over to her mother and hugged her. "It's okay, Mom. Things are getting better now."

  Holding her daughter against her chest, Norma whispered, "I know. I just miss your dad sometimes."

  They heard the front door open and people speaking in the living room. With a frown, her mother released her and the two walked to the front of the house to see who'd come to visit.

  The prisoner from the night before stood with Leeman in the living room. He'd obviously been cleaned up and his clothes were new. Although he was painfully thin, he held his shoulders back with pride, and Aspen was convinced that he was someone important.

  The man's eyes made contact with her mother's and a huge smile broke out on his face. Norma shrieked and ran across the room as fast as she could. Aspen watched in amazement as her mother flung herself into the man's open arms. She hugged him tightly and burst into tears.

  This was a shocking sight. Her mother had never acted like this before. Who was this person? The stranger closed his eyes and rested his chin on her mother's head, seeming to draw comfort from the fact that Norma was in his arms.

  Gooseflesh prickled along Aspen's skin as her mother drew back and touched the man's face reverently. "Roman," she whispered.

  Aspen froze.

  "Roman, you're here. How is this possible?" Norma pulled his face down and pressed kisses all over his cheeks. The man lifted her up into the air so that her feet dangled, and squeezed her as tightly as he could.

  "Norma, my precious. I've missed you so much." His voice was gruff with emotion, and the two clung to each other for a few moments.

  Aspen stared at the man in a daze. This couldn't be true. She looked at Leeman for answers, but he was beaming with joy.

  Once Roman had placed Norma back on the floor, he stoked her face tenderly, as if he wanted to memorize her every feature. In a state of shock, Aspen cleared her throat, and he glanced up and caught her eye.

  "My princess."

  Stunned, Aspen stood where she was, her feet practically glued to the floor.

  Her mother looked back to stretch her hand out to her. "Honey, come and say hello to your father."

  Aspen felt blood rush into her cheeks and she swayed slightly. "My f-father," she stuttered.

  "I can't believe how beautiful you are." Roman's thin face broke into a smile and he stepped toward her. "I've tried to imagine how you would look after all these years, but you've left me speechless."

  She stood still as he approached her. Norma clung to his arm and walked with him as he reached out to touch Aspen's face.

  "Dad?" she said softly.

  Her father pulled her against his chest and wrapped both arms around her, hugging her tightly. "My sweet, sweet princess. I thought I'd never get a chance to hold you again."

  Aspen's throat closed up and her heart swelled. A sob rushed through her chest, and she jerked as it hit her airways. She bawled out loud as an old ache that had long been suppressed beat against the walls of her heart and finally exploded.

  Roman hugged her even closer against his body and rocked her from side to side. "Shh, my precious angel, my little princess. I've got you. You don't need to cry anymore."

  She couldn't help herself as huge tears spilled from her eyes to wet her father's shirt.

  Her father waited for the worst of her sobs to subside before gently pulling her away. She tried to wipe her face and runny nose, and sniffed loudly.

  Leeman dug into his pocket and hauled out a handkerchief, and she took the cloth gratefully.

  "How did you survive?" Aspen asked when she could finally speak. "We thought you were dead."

  Roman held both her hand and Norma's, and led them over to the sofa. "I have to sit down, I hope you don't mind. I need to build up some strength, and it's going to take longer than one day, I'm afraid." He sank onto the soft cushion and grimaced.

  "Oh, my sweetheart, w
hat can I get you? You look so pale." Norma's face was pinched with worry.

  "Sit down and relax, I'll make everyone some coffee. I think Roman has a lot to tell us." Nothing could remove Leeman's smile, and he walked into the kitchen to make a pot.

  Roman snuggled Aspen under his arm and looked at Norma. He gripped her hand as though he couldn't bear to let it go again. "I've missed you so much. I still can't believe you're with me." With a sigh, he shut his eyes tightly.

  Aspen could see tiny nicks under his chin where he must have shaved in a rush. His skin was so pale that small blood vessels were visible along his throat, and dark chest hairs peeked out from beneath the collar of his shirt. She breathed in his scent. It smelled so familiar and comforting.

  His bright blue eyes snapped open and he reached for Aspen's watch. "You still wear this?" he asked.

  "Yes, it's all I had of yours," she replied, and he hugged her against his body for a second.

  "What happened to you?" Norma lifted her hand and touched his cheek. "They told me you were dead. They said your body had been incinerated and there was nothing left." Her lower lip wobbled, and this time Roman pulled her against his chest.

  "I didn't wear my dream catcher to work. I didn't want to draw attention to myself because of you and Aspen. The Chancellor Lord, Andreas, had been looking for me everywhere. I wanted to bring you back to Lanta where I could protect you, but our magician, Demothi, hadn't completed the spell."

  He released his wife and looked into her eyes. "You must believe me. I tried everything possible to bring you over. I built a house for you and .?.?." Tears welled up in his eyes and he stopped talking for a few seconds.

  Aspen wrapped her arm around his thin chest. He must have borrowed Leeman's clothes, because his shirt was baggy, and she wondered when he'd last eaten a good meal.

  "It's okay, I know about the house, and so much more. Oh, Roman, why didn't you tell me about yourself? I'd have followed you to the ends of the Earth," Norma said shakily.

  "I wanted to. I hinted a few times, but I was so happy when Aspen was born that I thought it could wait until Demothi was ready, and I could surprise you with our new home." He sighed and then stared at the wall in front of him. "They attacked when I was at work, and I was helpless without my dream catcher. I could fight but I couldn't heal myself, and they overpowered me. Hundreds attacked me at once. I'd given the Gimler, our most powerful weapon, to Leeman when I'd left, and handed my title to him. I couldn't lead my people and leave you behind."

  Aspen's heart pounded as he told his story. It must have been awful to make a decision like that, and she felt so sorry for her dad.

  "Andreas ordered his people to take me to the castle and made them chain me up to a machine that drained my power. It only worked because of my bloodline. There was enough power in my body to conjure the most damaging nightmares. I've been locked in that blasted machine ever since." A single tear spilled onto his cheek, and he wiped it away with a swipe of his large hand. "The only thought that kept me going was seeing the two of you again."

  His fingers dug into Aspen's arm as he pulled both her and her mother against his chest. He pressed a kiss on Norma's forehead and cast a troubled stare up at the ceiling.

  Leeman entered the living room just then with a tray of coffee cups. Once he'd placed the tray on the table, he handed a cup to Roman, who disentangled himself from his daughter and wife. Aspen leaned forward and snagged a cup for herself. The coffee was hot and sweet, and it soothed her raw throat.

  "Roman says that the Chancellors heard about a very powerful Dream Walker girl," Leeman said, looking at Aspen as he spoke. "They couldn't capture me because I'm always surrounded by warriors and I have the Gimler, so they took Ginny instead. They were actually after you, Aspen."

  "Yes," Roman added. "Andreas used to taunt me, saying I was going to get a companion. They built a new machine especially for you .?.?." He had to stop talking again and bit his lip.

  Leeman grinned smugly. "I destroyed both machines before we left."

  After putting her cup back on the table, Aspen dipped her head under her dad's arm to snuggle back against his chest. Norma took Roman's cup so he could hug his daughter again.

  "It's okay, Dad. It didn't happen and I'm so, so glad you're back. I couldn't have wished for anything more in my entire life. It's like this nightmare has finally come to an end."

  Her father squeezed her shoulder. "Leeman said you've been fixing the house. I can't believe you finally got to see it."

  Aspen grinned. "Yes, it's looking so good."

  "I can't wait to see it again. This is the happiest day of my life."

  Norma hugged her husband once more and then jumped up. "I forgot-there's stew in the pot and it's your favorite. Let me get the plates out and feed you. I'm sure you're hungry and exhausted."

  "That's sounds so good," Roman said, and closed his eyes for a second. "I've been dreaming about coming home for so long. I don't think it could get much better than this."

  Norma pulled the large dream catcher out from under her shirt and lifted it over her head. "I think you need this," she said softly.

  Roman took the necklace from her and slipped it over his neck. A golden glow emanated from the charm and washed over his body. His skin seemed to regenerate wherever the light touched, and Aspen gasped in surprise as the fine blood vessels disappeared and his skin changed into a healthy blush. Almost instantly, his frame filled out and the gaunt lines around his face disappeared.

  "Haven't you been healed by a dream catcher already?" she asked.

  "I have, but each dream catcher is designed individually with our essence. While any dream catcher will heal you superficially, only your own dream catcher will restore you completely."

  Norma was astounded and could only stare at her husband. "Are you sure you need to rest?"

  Roman's eyes gleamed. "Yes, I could do with a nap," he teased.

  Norma blushed and swatted his shoulder with her hand. She squealed as he lifted her in the air and carried her to the kitchen. "Feed me, woman."

  Leeman and Aspen laughed as they watched the pair leave the room. She was so happy. This day was so unexpected and absolutely incredible-it was almost too good to be true.

  Now that her dad was home, she could show him the house in Lanta. Would he like the changes she'd made, and would he be able to take her mom to see the place too?

  If only Dylan could be here to share her happiness. She wondered if he'd be in Lanta when she went to sleep later that night, and if he'd be as happy as she was about the fantastic news. But mostly, she wondered where he was.

  Leeman watched his niece thoughtfully. "He won't be visiting today."