Free Vision In Love (Legends of The North Book 1) by Liz Bower Page B

for him. His house looked quiet. As she reached the railing at the riverbank, parts of the previous night came back to her. Images of Matt slowly disappearing into the water. She shook her head to try to get rid of the image. It was eerily quiet, just the chatter of the river as it ran over the stones beneath it. The cry of a lone heron before it took off in flight had Barney pulling at his lead. Her hands gripped the metal railing, its icy chill seeping through her gloves. The smell of burning wood hung in the air, and she could imagine the roaring open fire in the houses behind her. As she took another breath, the smell changed, overwhelming her.  
    She opened her eyes and everything was different. The railing had gone, and the river was farther away and not as wide. Shouts from behind her had her turning in that direction. She staggered back, confusion taking over. Flames clawed at the sky, flooding her vision in shades of orange and yellow. Surrounded by the flames, quickly engulfed by them, was a wooden structure. An elaborate jetty was all she could come up with, because she'd never seen anything like it before in her life. But the flames were consuming it as the shouts became louder. Louder, but not clearer. They weren't shouting in English, but she understood the distress carried in the words. Then the flames receded and blackness started to descend. Like a beacon through the black, she heard Matt's voice calling her name and then nothing.
    ***
    She looked so peaceful, standing there watching the river. He almost didn't want to disturb her, but he needed to know she was okay. That they were okay, since she knew who he really was.  
    He jumped as Barney headed for the river, but Emma wouldn't let him come to any harm. But she didn't call him, didn't move. He started towards her when she turned to face him. But it was like she was looking straight through him, her eyes glazed, unfocused. He called Barney back, and the dog lunged towards him in his excitement. Dragging him back towards where Emma stood, he saw her sway. She grabbed for the railing behind her as he pulled her against his chest. Resting a hand underneath her chin, he pulled her face up to his. Her skin felt like ice beneath his fingers, and she began to shake. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders to encourage her to walk as he guided her in the direction of his house.
    ***
    Emma didn't know what had just happened, but she was pretty sure Matt wasn't happy about it. Either that or he wasn't happy about her being there. But he was the one who had dragged her to his house in the first place.
    "Morning," Jess practically chirped as she bounced down the stairs into the kitchen.  
    Jess should not be that happy after the amount of alcohol she consumed last night.
    "Oh, Emma. I didn't know you stayed."
    Emma flushed at her words but she wasn't given the chance to explain.  
    "She didn't."
    Jess winced as Matt slammed the door. "Oh, I see. You know, I'm sure I have to ... be somewhere. I'll catch you later," she said as she retreated backwards from the kitchen with each word.  
    Okay, clearly he was upset about something. Maybe she should just leave? He slammed a cup down in front of her and the smell of tea assaulted her.
    "I don't drink tea, Matt."
    He didn't acknowledge her, just turned his back. When he turned back to her, the clinking of a bottle against her cup dragged her attention from him, he poured a slug of whiskey into her tea. Whiskey? At this time of the morning? Raising her head in question at him, he dropped into the seat next to her.
    "It's good for shock. Drink some."
    His anger seemed to have deserted him, leaving that sad look in his eyes again. She wasn't sure if she would prefer him to be angry instead.
    "What happened?"
    That was a very good question, one she had already asked herself while she sat in his kitchen. She couldn't ignore what was happening anymore. Waking up with mud-covered or wet feet was one thing when she was in the