Epilogue
Sage’s heart jumped and hammered in her chestas relief engulfed her. For a moment, disbelief filled her.Raven.Could it be?
Raven tossed her sword aside, and the two women lurched forward to embrace each other tightly. Sage buried her face in Raven’s shoulder. The familiar scent of Raven’s rich leather armor overpowered her. She never wanted to let her go.
Raven pulled back to look at her with a wrinkled brow of concern.
“Are you well?” both asked at the same time.
They let out a relieved chuckle.
“What happened to your hair?” Raven asked, her gaze brushing over the short strands.
The crackling behind them exploded into a roar as a beam collapsed, sending burning embers into the night air. A warm blast of hot air surrounded them.
Marcus hooked an arm around Sage’s waist and moved her away from the barn, casting a wary glance at Raven.
Sage clasped Raven’s hand and tugged her with them, afraid if she let go, she would lose her again.
A tall, broad-shouldered man followed Raven. His brows were lowered in a frown as he contemplated them. The heat from the barn blew his black strands forward. He seemed unaffected as he bent to pick up Raven’s sword. His dark tunic was as dark as the sky, and he had a sword strapped to his waist.
Raven’s stare whisked over Marcus and rested on his familiar hold on Sage. Her brow furrowed in disapproval, and she released Sage’s hand as the other man handed over her sword. Raven exchanged a grateful glance with him before sheathing her weapon.
They traipsed through the harvested field to the forest line where the horses were tethered. Sage ducked beneath a branch and stopped beside her horse. She glanced at Raven with happiness. She was so glad to see her.
Raven met her gaze with a smile on her lips. “Where’s Willow?” she asked.
Sage’s joy evaporated. “She’s not with you?” Sage asked, glancing beyond Raven, expecting Willow to come bounding out from around a tree.
“No. She disappeared in the chateau at le Bezu. I thought she was right behind me, but she wasn’t,” Raven explained.
Worry ignited within Sage. Where was Willow? She and Raven exchanged concerned looks.
Raven took a deep breath. “We’ll find her.”
A large crash sounded from the barn, drawing Sage’s attention. Through the trees, she saw the fire encompass the structure, sizzling and snapping. Angry red flames reached for the sky. Thick gray smoke rolled into the sky from the burning barn.
It wouldn’t be long before the villagers, and even the soldiers, arrived.
“We should leave here,” Marcus suggested, staring at the barn.
Sage nodded. She gathered up Marcus’s hand and turned to Raven. “I want you to meet Marcus.” She looked at his grateful eyes and grinned. “This is my sister, Raven.”
Raven greeted him with a curt nod. “This is Sir Landyn,” she introduced, indicating the man with them.
Sage’s gaze moved over him. Dark, wavy hair hung to his strong shoulders. His square chin was raised, evaluating her.
“Are you in trouble?” Raven asked.
Sage swiveled her gaze to her. She shrugged and grinned. “Always. The king’s man, Nogaret, is looking for us.”
Raven’s mouth dropped and then closed into a thin line of displeasure. She shook her head.
“He’s looking for a book Sage decoded,” Marcus clarified with pride in his voice.
Warmth heated Sage’s heart as she stared at him. His lips were curled in a grin of respect as his gaze burned into her.
“A book?” Raven wondered. “The book we brought to Brother Nicolas?”
