As they descended toward a particular district where the houses stood farther apart, surrounded by well-tended gardens and small orchards, Jaegar's heart began to race.
He recognized the winding lane, the particular arrangement of oak trees that had sheltered his childhood games, and finally, the modest two-story house with its blue-painted shutters and the small herb garden that always smelled of lavender and rosemary.
"Grandmother," he said suddenly, turning from the window with eyes that held both hope and fear in equal measure.
His voice cracked slightly, betraying emotions he had been struggling to contain since their arrival in the human realm. "She... she didn't want to see me when I left. What if she still feels the same way?"
Angelina, who had been watching her grandson with the careful attention of one who understood the nature of a young heart's fears, reached across the carriage's small space to place a gentle hand on his arm.
