Upon waking the next morn, Kristina immediately remembered her dreams and her fantasies as if she had lived them during the night. It had been so grand having her sight back in the dreams. But now reality struck. Her vision was not miraculously restored. All was darkness around her. A moment of disappointment sank into her.
Do not lose faith, my child.
The words had been inside her head, like a thought. But not her thought. Again, it was like hearing her mother's voice. Saints! Strange things were happening. She needed to speak to Maili. She had the gift of second sight. Mayhap she could explain what Kristina's unusual dreams and the voice in her head had meant. Was this normal or was she losing her sanity?
***
After dressing and breaking her fast in her room, Kristina sent the maid to find Maili and ask if she could speak with her. A short time later, a knock sounded at the door.
"Come in," Kristina called, looking forward to talking to her new friend.
The door opened and closed.
"A good morn to you," Maili said in a bright and cheerful tone. "The maid said you wanted to talk."
"Aye. Good morn. Thank you for agreeing to meet with me."
"Of course. Anytime. I value your friendship. How are you feeling?" The chair by the hearth squeaked as Maili sat down.
Kristina knew what she meant—how did she feel since Colin had left? Miserable. But she was sidestepping that topic for the time being. "I'm not sure."
"What do you mean?" Maili's voice held much concern.
"You have second sight, do you not?"
"Um, aye," Maili said tentatively.
"I had a dream last night, and I'm hoping you can help me figure out what it means."
"Of course." She sounded far more relaxed now. "I will try. I often have dreams in which I see something that is happening at a distance or in the future."
"My mother passed many years ago when I was a child, but I saw her clearly in my dream, as if she were really here. She was surrounded by a golden light, and she relayed a message about angels." Kristina explained what her mother had said about asking angels for help.
"It sounds like a visitation dream," Maili said. "Angels and spirits are real, even though we normally cannot see or touch them."
"Do you think angels could heal my eyes so that I might regain my sight?"
"'Tis possible. Angels are extensions of God, and they do God's work. This includes healing and many miracles."
"Although I've dreamed of my mother before, and heard her speak to me, this dream was so real and detailed, 'twas unsettling."
"I'm certain it was. Maybe your mother's spirit delivered the message from above so you wouldn't be afraid. And now you can communicate directly with your guardian angels."
Kristina nodded, though she was still unsure if angels were truly beside her. "I also dreamed what Colin looks like. I have never seen him with my eyes, so I don't know if the image was right. But if it was, does that mean I'm developing second sight?"
"I don't know. Mayhap. I only know of my own experiences. Either way, do not be afraid."
A bright streak of light, like lightning, flashed across Kristina's black field of vision.
