In the mist she saw him and her heart broke. She blinked against her tears and swore at her foolishness.
The green of the Irish landscape stretched before her yet again. She was tied to here. She was tied to the dirt beneath her feet, the dew on the grasses and even the pearled rays of sun that struggled to light this day.
Her heart, yes, could wander the paths he walked, but her body was caged here.
There were some who didn't agree, some who thought she could have gone, should have gone with him. But tradition, family, the land, this place were all the blasted reasons she gave for staying and she clung to them plainly out of spite some days.
Today was not that day. Today she looked across the fields and saw him. She'd curse herself and cry and vow that never again would she let her mind play these tricks. But, then she'd revel in the picture set before her.
She's smile as he'd wink and hold out a butterfly like a magic secret.
Or she'd feel the thrill of being led by his hand to that treasured spot on a rainy evening to see he'd gathered a picnic and built a cozy fire to warm away the chill.
The images would flit and fade and mix with the memories of her mind. But today he was a vivid vision. Today he walked in through the edge of the mists and stood in her door. And her heart splintered.
Why she wondered. She hadn't seen him in ages--the war, his adventures, his need to get away had stolen him from her. All she had were these mad grasps at memories, and she couldn't tell anymore if they were real or imagined.
Tears slipped down her cheeks as she reached to the man. A sob caught in her throat as the man reached, pulling her to him.
She opened her mouth, she wanted to speak, to say she would go with him and that she regretted everyday that she hadn't.
"Darlin' now don't be saying anything. From the moment I stepped away from you, I've dreamed of kissing you again. It's taken me thirty years and a million miles, but I've come back to do just that."
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