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That was why Malcom looked different. He was plumper. He’d been eating well.
Eliza dipped her fingers in a burlap sack and flicked flour across Malcom’s cheek. He laughed, deep and full.
My second tear fell.
“I have news,” Cal announced. “Abbas accepted me. I begin lessons at full moon.”
My mouth dropped at the name. Abbas was a legendary scholar all the islands cherished, often moving between them to teach in schools. He must have come to the center island after I was chosen, and somehow Cal caught his eye. I had no trouble picturing Cal waiting outside his class every day until he exhausted the man into teaching him.
Malcom clapped, while Eliza wrapped her arms around my brother. He returned her embrace with a wide smile.
“Who needs an apprenticeship?” Eliza declared. “You’ll get better training from Abbas, and any island would want you.”
“It won’t come with a stipend for years.” Cal brushed a strand of golden hair from Eliza’s face. “We might have to wait to buy that old manor.”
Her eyes danced. “We don’t need a stipend. We are doing just fine on the pension.”
They were doing more than fine. My anxious worry faded. Happiness radiated from each of their smiles in a way I’d never seen before, clinging to their cheeks and the light in their eyes, and it changed them. They didn’t need me to steal from the market or let out the hems of old clothes anymore. If the money I’d saved under the floorboards was still there, they wouldn’t need to use it for a long time.
Malcom went over to finish kneading the dough and laid it over a pan. Cal took the moment to squeeze Eliza tightly and whisper in her ear, “Uhnepa te.”
Bash’s muscles tightened as my heart did the same. The vision faded away. As Cal’s wild curls and Malcom’s floured chin disappeared, I whispered, “Uhnepa te.”
The mirror was only a rock once more.
We stood silent in the throne room, listening to the crackle of the fire as I absorbed the scene, wishing I could be there with them. Torn between wishing they were missing me and being thankful they were fine.
They were happy. Cal had training without leaving for his Passion and could stay with Malcom forever. And from the way Malcom gazed at Eliza, he had the motherly presence he needed. They feasted on sourdough bread and imported cherries instead of scrounging for old figs.
“They don’t need me,” I said slowly.
“No.” Bash placed the rock back into the parcel and walked to the throne to set it on the dais. My eyes trailed to the place where his perfect heart sat, still covered, beside it. “They don’t need you at all.”
Hearing it hurt. My face pinched.
“Thea, that’s a good thing.” Bash looked at me as I struggled with my tears.
“I know,” I sniffed. “I don’t know why I’m crying.” My voice came out sounding very unflattering. “Happiness, I guess? And a little sad. But they are doing better than I imagined.”
“There shouldn’t have been any doubt,” he said firmly. “They have the Mortal Queen’s pension and your blood in their veins. They are strong.”
I choked back a sob. “They don’t need me,” I repeated. One less thing to worry about in a realm where worries were as numerous as the stars. And perhaps one answer, as well. I didn’t need to fight to return to my siblings and give up the part of me here. There was no use in breaking myself when they didn’t need me. I could stay without guilt.
I could stay.
I wiped my cheeks dry as Bash cocked his head like he was trying to read my thoughts.
“Thank you,” I smiled tearfully. “That was the best gift anyone has ever given me.”
He raised a brow. “A glimpse at your family? You haven’t received many good gifts.”
“No, the permission to choose my own desire.”
He paused a few paces away, rocking on his heels twice before stepping closer. A small gap resided between us, then he crossed that too.
Everything in me stilled, waiting for what he would do next. Then, in an action that was unlike him, he reached for me. His hands took mine and he folded them together.
“They don’t need you at all,” he said quietly. “But I do.”
