Another nod.
I turn her hand over and trace the lines on the inside of her palm, gathering my words. “Coming with me and following the Trail of Wilted Roses was a lot. Especially since you had to leave your sisters behind.”
Her bottom lip wobbles before she bites down on it. Drawing a deep breath, she steadies herself. “Yeah. It was... awful.”
Mist comes up beside my gods-blessed, purring and rubbing her head along Wren’s legs.
“It was necessary, but I know it wasn’t easy.” Even now, I hate remembering the despondency that had overtaken Wren as we rode away from Rosebridge.
I stand because sitting doesn’t feel right for this. The fluttering in my stomach worsens as two pairs of eyes, one violet and one silver, watch me.
“It wasn’t safe, before,” I say. “Between the soldiers and the way the king is hunting you...”
“I know. Leaving them behind was the right thing to do. But Gabe, why are we here? Why are we reliving what was one of the worst nights of my life? Why...”
Wren’s voice trails off while the air around us shifts. Leaves rustle, and Mist slowly straightens, her tail lowering as she looks beyond the net at my back.
I don’t turn around. Not yet. I don’t want to look away from Wren, don’t want to miss the moment she realizes what’s happening.
It doesn’t take long. A heartbeat passes, maybe two, before her eyes widen. Silver lines them, and her bottom lip trembles. Her shaking hand rises, covering her mouth, and she slides off the stump. I take her elbow, holding it to keep her steady.
Slowly, she lowers her hand, clutching at my fingers.
“Gabe.” My name is a hoarse whisper on her lips. “This is... How did you... Did you do this for me?”
It’s my turn to nod.
She inhales sharply, and tears trail down her cheeks. “I’ll never be able to thank you enough for this.”
“There is no need for that.” Brushing away her tears with my thumbs, I gaze into her eyes. “Seeing you happy is more than enough.”
Her smile is watery, and then she’s pulling away from me. She takes a trembling step towards the net, extending herfingers, and I turn around as she brushes the shimmering air, magic crackling beneath her touch.
Standing on the other side of the barrier, less than ten feet away, are the twins. They aren’t alone.
“Hi, girls.” Wren’s voice cracks. “I missed you so, so much.”
One of the twins, I’m not sure which one, whimpers. “We missed you, too.”
Wren sobs, a wretched sound that twists my heart, and I place my hand on her shoulder. She covers it with hers and looks up at me, her eyes wide. “Thank you, Gabe.”
The words are quiet, barely there, but they resonate inside me. All the trouble I went through to make this happen, all the sneaking out and talking to Alaric and sending letters was worth it, because it’s made Wren happy.
For a moment, we stand there, taking in the group of six on the other side of the divide. Maia, dressed in black riding leathers with her hair in a braid, is next to a tall man with dark skin and charcoal eyes. His hair is short, and he is a warrior through and through.
My best friend, Theon.
Beside them are two others—Alaric and an older rebel who I’ve often seen working with the seer. I don’t know his name.
And of course, the reason we’re all there—the twins. They look healthy, wearing tunics and tight pants made for hiking. Their hair is pulled back, and they’re both staring at my gods-blessed with tears in their eyes.
A long, seemingly never-ending moment passes where no one moves or speaks. Then a bird calls somewhere in the forest. The silence shatters, and one of the twins darts forward.
“Birdie!” She races for the net, hand outstretched, but before she can touch it, an arm snakes out and yanks her back.
“Don’t touch it,” Alaric warns.
“What?” the twin asks.
