Seamus opened his eyes slowly as the light caught his irises, forcing him to blink until the blur faded.
For a heartbeat he lay still, the world too bright, too soft. But then the view before him came into focus and he jolted upright instinctively.
A gentle hand pressed against his chest, pushing him back down. His head rested on something warm and firm, a lap.
"Are you okay, Seamus?"
Her voice filled his ears like a forgotten melody. He froze, not daring to move, terrified that if he blinked she might vanish.
"Viviane…" His throat tightened. "Is it really you?"
He rubbed his eyes in disbelief. The golden eyes staring back at him were the same as he remembered: bright, unyielding, full of sunlight.
Her long red hair brushed against his chin, silken strands warm against his skin. This felt real. Too real for a dream.
His fingers trembled as they reached up to her cheek. She closed her eyes at his touch, and the world tilted.
