Wren is hugging her sisters, her Mark a jewel on her forehead as happy tears flow down her face.
I stare at her for a long moment, warmth curling inside me. “Yeah. She is worth everything.”
46
A HEARTFELT CONFESSION
WREN
Marie and Violet are here. Truly, physically here. I keep staring at them, wondering if this is all a figment of my imagination, but it’s not. I pinched myself twice just to make sure. This isreal.
I’m walking between my sisters, holding their hands as they tell me about staying with Maia.
It turns out Gabriel was right—because of course he’d been right about this—and the girls had been safe with her. No one asked them any questions even though they’d been living right under the king’s nose, working in the household of the Hand of the King.
But now, they’re here.
Violet tells me that Gabriel sent for them a couple weeks ago. The other man, who Gabriel introduces me to as Theon, his best friend, traveled with them. They were careful coming here, avoiding the king’s watchful eye, and Alaric met up with them partway, bringing them the rest of the way.
All because Gabriel asked him to.
I can’t stop stealing glances at the Hunter even as my sisters chatter beside me. I didn’t know loving someone would be likethis. I thought that love was a static thing, that once you fell into it, that was it. You were in love, and it was good.
But now, I’m realizing that’s not the case. Love grows. It changes. I love Gabriel so much more today than I did yesterday, and that is a beautiful thing.
The walk back to camp feels like it passes in the blink of an eye. Before I know it, the log cabins marking the edge of the rebels’ forest home come into view. Wendell breaks off from our group, mumbling something about finding the seer, and Gabriel turns around.
Instead of looking at me, which is what I expected, he meets my sisters’ eyes in turn.
“Ladies,” he rumbles in that low voice that I love. “Would you mind if I borrowed your sister for a moment?”
My brows furrow. What is Gabriel doing? It’s nearing suppertime, and I thought we’d head to the dining hall to grab some food before sorting out the sleeping arrangements for our new guests.
The girls glance at each other, but it’s Marie who nods and says, “Of course.”
“Don’t take her far,” Violet warns.
“I promise I won’t.” He turns to me. “Wren?”
He holds out his hand, wiggling his fingers. After a moment I release the girls and slide my hand into his. He draws me away from the others, into a nearby cluster of trees. I can still hear the girls chatting quietly with Maia and Theon, but Gabriel and I are alone. Even Mist has vanished into the forest.
The Hunter’s eyes are a sparkling valley as they sweep over me.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
In response, he pulls me closer. His thumb grazes the inside of my palm, sending tingles racing down my arm before he encircles my wrist and draws me close.
“You’re happy, right?”
“Yes, I am. Honestly, Gabe, I never thought I’d see my sisters again. I thought... I thought when we said goodbye, it would be the last time I ever saw them.”
Like I haven’t seen my brothers or my parents since the day before my Giving Ceremony. There is an ache inside me that rises every time I think of my family, a pain that has no balm. Even now, I don’t know if I’ll ever get to see them again.
But at least the twins are here—and Gabriel is the one who made that happen.
“I’m so glad you feel that way,” he murmurs, drawing my attention back to him. “Because you make me happier than I ever thought possible. You infused my life with light and taught me what it means to live. When I wake, you’re the first person I look for. When I go to sleep, it’s with an image of you stamped behind my eyes. You are the force that drives me to keep living every day, and I love you.”
My breath catches in my throat, and I half inhale, half wheeze, “You do?”
