“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.