We are not always correct in what we see.
The smallest shift can alter everything.
“What did you see?”
I saw the woman you would become.
I saw you mend the dying land.
There may still be a way.
Tears collected on my sleeve.
“Thank you for everything,” I whispered as I pressed the book closed. If there was a way, perhaps we would find it, but even if we didn’t—I had everything I wanted beside me.
Lioran rubbed his eyes “Please come back to bed.” His curls lay across the pillow. I climbed in beside him, still gripping the book.
“My father is not alive anymore.” The leather cover shifted between my unsteady fingertips.
“My love…I know you were hoping to find him.” He brushed tears off my cheek. “He must have loved you very much.”
“Your mother knew.” It wasn’t enough for her to take everything I desired from me—she wanted her words to plunge deeper.
“Why do you think that?”
“After she reminded you of your promise. She said hewouldhave been proud of me.”
Silence fell between us. His fingers curled inward, and his gaze narrowed.
“King Ardyn killed him…” I whispered the truth until my throat ached from each word. He killed him and let my mother live. Yet looking back I’m not sure if she was really living at all.
Tears often clung to her cheeks when no one was watching. She spoke with such softness that I never understood. Until now. Now I knew her heart was broken. He made her continue with life as if it never happened at all.
“Aelira. I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine what it is like to find out after all this time. After everything you’ve been through.”
For a moment I just looked at him. He drew me in to his side and held me closer.
“He doesn’t think I will die.” The words settled on me as I said them.
His eyes widened. “What did he say?” I placed the book into his hands. My father’s words were still there, as if he wasn’t ready to leave me yet.
“We will keep our hope.” He moved closer behind me, his arms sliding around me, and I leaned back into him.
“What if it’s false hope?” My voice trailed off.
“It’s still hope…and I will keep hanging on to it.”
The lingering chill sent shivers down my spine, but Lioran only gripped me closer.
“When you go back…I want you to find happiness—to fall in love again.” My stomach clenched as my view became a cloudy haze.
“I’m not going back.”
“You have to arrange your marriage.”
He placed the book down beside us and released me from his hold.
I prepared myself for the words I didn’t want to hear.
