She reached for the hum—which was still muted inside her.
But no, it was real. Because a heartbeat later, Essie’s thoughts burst into her mind.
I found you, Roa.
It was as if someone struck a match and lit a glowing fire inside her.
“Essie...”
Roa pulled Poppy away, scouring the skies until she saw it: a white bird speeding toward her, as if diving out of the stars.
You were in danger—Essie’s voice bled through Roa’s mind—and I heard you. I had to make sure you were safe....
Where were you?Roa called to her sister, who was getting closer by the heartbeat.
In a flash of white feathers and silver eyes, Essie crashed into Roa, her sharp claws scraping her sister’s skin.I—I don’t know. I couldn’t find my way. I couldn’t remember where home was.
Roa drew her sister’s feathered form against her chest, holding her close. Keeping her safe. A soft bundle of warmth in her arms.
And then I heard your voice, and it seemed so far away.... I didn’t understand. How could it get so far away?
Normally Essie hated it when Roa held her, restricting her from flying. Now, she pressed herself close to Roa’s breast, letting her sister hold her as she trembled. Her tiny heart drumming against her sister’s ribs.
It’s all right.Roa stroked Essie’s feathers as the hum glowed dimly between them.You’re here now.
When Essie stopped trembling, she squirmed out of her sister’s arms and flew to her shoulder. Her claws dug in harder than usual, piercing Roa’s skin. As if she could just hold on tightly enough, maybe whatever confusion had taken hold of her wouldn’t be able to take her again.
And then a voice echoed in the distance.
Both of them looked to the west.
I brought help,Essie explained.
Pinpricks of light appeared on the horizon, moving ever closer. They were torches held in the hands of scrublanders—herpeople—racing on horseback toward them. And leading them all was a young man, his face obscured by a sandskarf.
Roa didn’t need to see his face to know who he was.
“Theo,” Dax muttered from behind her. Roa had forgotten he was there.
The moment Theo saw her, he broke away from the others, hurtling straight for her, a torch held high in his hand.
Roa kicked her own horse into a gallop, her heart thundering in unison with Poppy’s hooves. Essie flew off, trailing close behind her.
Theo called her name again, and his voice was like a fire, driving out the cold.
Bringing her home.
Three Months Previous
“This is the only map you have?”
A soft hiss followed by a loud thunk answered her.
Roa and Lirabel looked up just as Dax lowered the longbow. Beside him, a freckled young man grinned with pleasure, his arms crossed over his chest, staring at the whorl in the tree now pierced by Dax’s arrow. This boy, Roa had learned upon meeting him, was Torwin.
“Very good,” said Torwin. “Now go fetch it.”
Dax raised an eyebrow at him.
