As if introducing a dinner guest, Locke rests a hand on the beast’s shoulder. “Everyone, this is Lizard. We really must be going now.” Unfazed by the giant talons sunk into the turf beside his feet, Locke swings up onto the dragon’s back, tosses us a wolfish grin, and they roar into the sky and vanish over the trees.
The clearing falls silent.
Juani nudges Helkki. “You good?”
She gapes.
It isn’t until we’re halfway back to Rimne that she finally recovers enough to blurt the inevitable: “Lark, can we get a dragon?”
By the time Rimne’s spires rise ahead, my chest feels wide open. The twins and Helkki are still arguing about dragon housing plans, Talvie’s wearing that serene smile she gets when she’s enjoying herself too much to stop them, and Hugo perches on my shoulder while Lumi drifts above us. After half a year, the capital feels less like enemy territory now when we return from these journeys. With my soul settled, it feels more like home.
I’m craving a long shower and bed with Talvie when she leans close. “One stop first. Aili and Eevi are waiting.” Excitement threads her voice.
She guides us down a new cobbled road to a low, sprawling building where bright banners snap in the wind. Royal guards stand nearby, confirming who else might be inside.
“What is this?” I ask.
“A project with Taynia,” she says, eyes gleaming over a proud smile. “A new orphanage.”
“You…built an orphanage?”
“And a school. Point and Wilder children both attend. Together.”
My heart stops when she points out the sign on the gate. “Rutte Hall. You—you named it for Frederik?”
“His name, but for you. I liked the sound of Hyveri Hall, but I thought you’d prefer—ouf!”
I sweep her into a crushing hug, blinking through the sting in my eyes. “It’s perfect,kulta. You’re perfect.”
“I didn’t do it alone. Come on.”
Through the gate, a wide garden bursts with vegetables and flowers, fae working side by side along the rows. And in the middle of it all is Queen Taynia herself, kneeling in the dirt.
“She’s…gardening?” I whisper.
Talvie looks just as startled. But the queen rises, smiling. “There you are!” She wipes soil from her cheek as Aili spots us and races past the queen’s skirts.
Beyond them, Eevi toddles hand-in-hand with Beron, chirping, “Eesa, Eesa.” That sound never fails to knock me silly.
After hugging my girls half to death, Taynia pulls me aside down the rows, greeting people by name as we go. “This is what you showed me,” she says quietly. “That the differences between us strengthen us. Yesterday, I signed a new law—Wilder Fae may live and work in the capital. No more building restrictions outside Rimne’s walls either. The Hinterlands belongs to all its people, and I want to thank you for reminding me of that, Lark.”
Words fail me. Fortunately, Talvie joins us, slipping her hand into mine, and she knows the perfect thing to say. “Thank you,Ïti.”
Lumi swoops overhead, and I choke back as much emotion as Taynia does at Talvie finding peace with her mother at last.
Inside the hall, Talvie stops suddenly at a patched red coat hanging from one of the entrance hooks. “This coat…where is the boy who owns this?”
“Timo?” a matron replies, calling a sandy-haired boy of about seven from the next room.
The boy looks understandably wary, but Talvie kneels, taking his small hand. “You may not remember, but I saw you oncefrom my carriage. You opened my eyes, Timo. Thank you for helping me see what was hidden from me. Never forget how very special you are, okay?”
The boy’s eyes are wide, but he nods.
“If you ever need anything, you come find me at the palace, Timo. Understand?”
She keeps hold of his hand as we tour airy classrooms and cozy dormitories until he finally scampers off to join friends sprawled over puzzles in the library. I take her hand in his place, pressing a kiss to her fingers.
“This place is warm and wonderful, just like you,” I murmur.
