River Sing Me Home Novels & Stories

The moment the plane touched down, I made my way through the terminal, suitcase in tow. Suddenly, I caught the sound of my uncle's voice, booming as he waved a sign above the crowd. I spun around, a smile breaking across my face, to see my uncle and my aging grandmother approaching me. My uncle looked much the same as I remembered, and my grandmother's eyes still shone with that same tender love. "Jim, let me get a good look at you!" My grandma stroked my hand, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "My dear boy, you've had it rough out there. However, you're home with us now, and nobody's going to hurt you again."

He hesitated for a moment, then carefully placed that massive, scarred wolf paw gently into my hand. I cradled his paw, lowered my head, and solemnly pressed a kiss onto the palm of his paw. Sevier’s whole body trembled violently, as if he’d been scalded. He quickly pulled his paw back and tucked it into his chest. His golden eyes glistened with tears, and even the tips of his ears turned bright red. I looked at him and promised, word by word: “Sever, in three days, I’ll come and take you home.”

His hand didn't move. I was almost asleep when the front door opened. Footsteps in the hall. Light ones, the specific rhythm of someone trying not to wake people up and mostly succeeding. Then a pause outside, somewhere and then Brynn's voice, bright and completely unbothered, aimed at whoever might be listening "I'm home!" I opened my eyes at the same moment Evander opened his.

Listen to the river, she’s got a song to sing, Drown all your troubles into her hands, eternal peace she’ll bring. The evergreen river, they say she’s very clever, She’ll show your hidden memories you thought been lost forever. She has no beginning or end, but yet flows evergreen, She flows swiftly yet steadily; she makes sure she’s never seen. The evergreen river, watch as her waters flow, And all the answers your heart seeks, the river lets you know. Do you search for the river? Don’t look too far ahead. The sun her crown, the earth her bed, she’s got a sturdy stead.

"Come home fear shidhe, Hush my child, not a whisper pass your lips, Let your heart go dreaming of your lovers kiss. Deep in your heart the merriment grows, A sliver of silver now starts to show. Follow it to the river, see the stars above and the dew below. Bask in Selene's glow, your heart filled with wild joy, And light. Light of lights in burning adoration calling you home."

Cinder sounded worried. River couldn’t calm herself. She’d die here, in the dark, and take her friends with her. I can’t, she thought. She couldn’t think of home. It was like she’d forgotten it. River tried to remember what her parents looked like, her mother’s soft brown eyes, her father’s stern, but friendly face. She tried to remember their nice, modest house with the manicured lawn, far away from wild forests and fairy magic.

I've lost everyone because I pushed them away. The tears are flowing as the words wash over me, but it's a good cry. It's a healing cry, that acts as a balm for the soul. My hips are swaying to the music and despite the emotion choking me, I'm quietly singing along. “Please come home for Christmas... Please come home for Christmas... If not for Christmas, by New Year's night...”

Chapter 5: Passionate Release The full moon bathed the willow grove in silvery light, turning the nearby stream into a shimmering ribbon. After a day of soft touches and lingering glances, Lia’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she tugged my hand. “Night swim, Rose? The water’s calling us. Let’s feel free under the stars.” I laughed, heart racing with excitement. “Only if you behave… at least at first. Deal?” “No promises,” she teased, already shedding clothes by the bank. “But I’ll start gentle.”

No cold memories. Only a quiet darkness and the faint scent of blossoms. Just before landing, I woke up. Jade was looking at me. The light from the window fell softly across her face, and in her eyes I could see a small, peaceful reflection of myself. "We're almost there, Julian," she said gently, taking my hand. "We're going home." "Mm," I replied, lacing my fingers through hers. The plane broke through the clouds and descended steadily toward Northspire Bay, glittering like a field of stars beneath the night sky.

RAINA It was him- the rider in red. The one who’d won the race. He knelt beside me, his face shadowed by the dim light. His gaze locked on mine, and for a second, I forgot how to breathe. “Easy,” he said quietly. “You’re okay now.” I shook my head weakly, a tear slipping from the corner of my eye. “No… I’m not…” He frowned as he reached out to steady me. “Your heart rate’s too high. You need to calm down.”