The Rabbit and the Raven: Book Two in the Solas Beir Trilogy by Melissa Eskue Ousley

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    Eulalia, Nysa, and Fergal seemed especially happy to see him. “I am glad he has come home,” Eulalia said. “I was worried about him staying in your world.”
    “Me too,” Abby replied. “How did he get here?”
    “Ravens have always had the uncanny ability to transcend the boundaries of our worlds, so long as a portal is open,” Eulalia explained.
    “So now that we restored one, he’s back in business,” Abby concluded.
    “It appears so,” Eulalia agreed, smiling.
    Brarn had joined Fergal and Nysa in sitting on top of the breakfast table. They communed as old friends, sharing the meal without needing to say anything at all.
     
     
     
    “I think I had a dream about you last night,” David said.
    Abby and David were sitting on an ornately carved wooden bench outside Eulalia’s chambers, waiting to meet with her for a discussion o n dreamwalking. Eulalia thought it would be helpful for them to practice walking in their dreams together, in preparation for their upcoming journeys.
    “I don’t remember all of it,” David began, “but it seemed like you were very frightened of something—you were running—and then I reached for you and told you everything would be okay.”
    “That was what I dreamed about too! Well, it was something very similar...do you think we made a connection?” Abby asked.
    “Could be,” he said, slipping his arm around her. “Do you remember any more of your dream?”
    She nodded. “There was this black darkness that was coming for me, and it was all around me, like smoke. I was trying to run from it, but it was choking me.”
    “Ugh—sounds horrible,” David grimaced.
    “It was,” Abby confirmed. “But then everything was okay because you came to me and pushed the darkness away. Well, I think it was you—it felt like your spirit—I think I saw you in your animal form.”
    “Really? That’s awesome!” David’s face lit up with excitement. “Tell me I was something fierce, and not pathetic—like a tiny mouse. Or a hamster.”
    Abby smiled slyly. “Something fierce, huh?”
    “Yes, please.” He had a hopeful look in his eyes.
    “Well, I’m very sorry to disappoint you, but you were a…” She paused for effect.
    “What? What was I?” David asked. He looked worried.
    “You were a weasel.”
    “What?!” His mouth dropped open in surprise, and then he frowned. “That’s not cool.”
    Abby shrugged. “Sorry, kid, I don’t write the future, I just see and say.” She patted his hand sympathetically. “On the bright side, weasels are pretty fierce, aren’t they? Or is that wolverines? You were definitely weasel- ish though—very, very tiny and rodentlike. Actually, now that I think about it, maybe you were a ferret. I saw one in a pet store once. It seemed friendly.”
    David stared at her. “You have got to be kidding me.”
    Abby grinned. “Totally am.”
    “Really?” The hopeful look returned to his eyes.
    “Really,” she said, nodding. “I saw a white lion.”
    “Now that is wicked cool.” David smiled to himself.
    Abby laughed and playfully punched his arm. “Yeah, dude. That’s wicked fierce.”
    “You little tease.” David reached for her, and she slid away from him, giggling. “And then you make fun of me?” He scooted toward her and she tried to escape, but she was laughing too hard. He caught her and pulled her back to his side of the bench, then scooped her onto his lap, pinning her against his chest. “There. That’s better. Now, to think of a punishment for your impudence…”
    Abby tried to wriggle free and gave up. His strong arms were like bands of steel. “Are you going to torture me?” She tried to look repentant, but could tell by his knowing smile that he wasn’t buying it.
    “Hmm, there’s a fun thought,” David said, raising an eyebrow. He leaned in close and his lips brushed her neck. “No, love, I think I’ll save my revenge and serve it cold,” he murmured, slowly running his fingers up