She blinked once. Twice. Again and again, half-expecting the vision to vanish, to dissolve into cruel imagination born of exhaustion and sadness.
But every time she opened her eyes, he was still there.
A dizzy wave of relief crashed over her so suddenly that she swayed, lightheaded, excitement surging through her like an uncontrollable current. The wooden horse slipped from her numb fingers and struck the floor, forgotten as she surged into action.
She nearly tripped in her haste, skirts tangling around her legs, but she didn't slow. She barely noticed the sting in her lungs or the way the corridor blurred as she rushed through it. She did not care how it looked, did not care that servants paused mid-step to stare as she flew past them, her hair loose, smile wide.
She crossed the main entrance just as Ragnar brought his horse to a halt.
