Page 147 of Into the Mist

“Thank you,” Mercury murmured. She reached across Stella and hugged Imani and then hugged Stella before standing. “I can’t be awake any longer today. I just… I just want to sleep.”

“Night-night, Acorn. Love you. Sweet dreams…” Stella’s voice drifted after her as Mercury, with Khaleesi at her heels, made her way quietly to where she’d set up her sleeping bag, pillow, and blankets. The T-shirt she slept in was folded neatly on her pillow. She took off her boots and the beautiful dress that held such sweet memories, and pulled on her shirt. Then Mercury slipped inside her sleeping bag and fluffed her pillow, smoothing the soft material that covered it before she lay her heavy head down. Khaleesi let her get settled and then circled several times before curling up, pressed against her back.

Mercury hadn’t been lying to Stella and Imani. She really wanted to do nothing but sleep, and within just a few breaths she willingly gave in to unconsciousness.

The dream began with warmth. It radiated from behind Mercury. Her sleeping body responded, leaning into the heat. Mercury sighed happily as the warmth that was at her back spread, enveloping her, cocooning her, comforting her. Mercury breathed deeply, relaxing into the delicious heat.

Dogs are so great,her dreaming mind thought.We don’t deserve them, but I’m really glad we have them.

A deep chuckle tickled her ear. Something brushed against the bare skin on her neck, causing her to shiver.

I’m not sure whether I should be offended or flattered at being called a dog.

In her dream Mercury gasped at the familiar voice and tried to roll over, but his arms held her back tightly against him as he spooned her.Ford?

What do you think? Can Khaleesi do this?Warm lips followed the path of the shivering skin on her neck.Or this?Teeth gently caught her earlobe.Well, perhaps biting you isn’t the best way to show I’m not a dog.He chuckled again, and his warm breath played across her skin.

Ford!Mercury reached back to touch him. He was solid and so, so real that it made her ache.But you’re not really here. You’re just a dream.

Does this feel like I’m just a dream?His lips found her neck again, and he kissed the smooth curve where it met her shoulder.

No,she said breathlessly as his kisses sent more heat throughout her body.

I’m real.He kissed her neck to punctuate his words.I’m supposed to be here. I’m meant to be here. I’m destined to be here. I’ll always be here. With you.

I guess that’s why I wanted to go to sleep so badly. I was going to conjure you into my dream.

Bellota, you didn’t conjure me into your dream. You conjured me into your life.

He moved her thick hair and kissed the patch of skin peeking above her T-shirt and then something brushed softly over her skin, causing her to squirm.

His laugh was low and rich and sensuous.You are ticklish. I wondered. I also wondered if you would taste as sweet as I imagined. You do, Bellota. You do.

The butterfly wings tickle stopped when he shifted and dropped something on the pillow beside her face. It didn’t matter that it was so dark that she couldn’t see it. She could smell its sweet scent.

A flower from your grave. I—I thought you’d like it if I made them bloom for you.

I did. I do. I also like your dancing, though next time you waltz, it should be in my arms.

I wish I could dance with you again, but instead I got you killed. I’m so sorry, Ford. I didn’t mean—She reached back to let her fingers sink into his thick, dark hair, but her words broke off as she felt something strange—a hard nub, like a protruding bone or the beginnings of a horn.Wait—what the hell is that?

Soon, Bellota, soon you’ll be ready to understand. Until then, know that I will be near—always and forever. Always and forever…

The cold woke Mercury. She sat suddenly, shivering—and then her dream came flooding back to her, and she spun around to look behind her. Nothing. Khaleesi had moved to her feet and was blinking sleepily up at her.

“Sorry,” Mercury whispered as she leaned to ruffle the dog’s soft ears. “I didn’t mean to wake you.” Then she shivered again, only this time from lingering desire. “That was some dream. Wow. My imagination is definitely working on overdrive.” Mercury sighed heavily as grief chased away Ford’s dream presence. She pulled the sleeping bag up and then turned to fluff her pillow—and froze.

There, beside the imprint of her head, rested a single yellow wildflower.