Page 27 of From the Edge

Rowan felt tears well in her eyes. “I did. He didn’t survive the second attack.”

“The second... oh, no.”

“Yeah. That is depressing, but today is for joy. I will take you to Arborg’s memorial when you are out and about.”

Mell gasped. “Oh, no.”

“Yeah. Well, you have a baby, you have a mate, and you are healed and home. Life will move on.”

“What about you?”

Rowan smiled. “A treatment is being found for Aspen, the house is full of people, and I have made pie. All is right in the world right now. Oh, I have to go to the carriage house. They don’t know about a thing.” She stood and inclined her head. “I will see you for dinner.”

She created another timer, and it hovered in the air. “It will chime when it’s time for dinner.”

“Big dining room?”

“Yup. It’s already set.”

“Nice.”

“‘Kay. Gotta go.” Rowan walked out and headed downstairs, through the kitchen, and toward the carriage house.

Rowan walked up to the patio, where the ladies were sitting, sketching, and discussing things intently. Rowan waved and walked to one of the statues in the small garden next to the carriage house, and she shifted it with a grunt, pulling a box out of the base. She set the box down and put the statue of a howling wolf back.

Rowan walked back to the ladies and set the box down. “This will help.”

Arwell asked, “What is it?”

“The curse strip she cut off her skin. It’s the last physical bit of her and the curse.”

Regis’s eyes went wide. “That changes things.”

Win took a photo of the box. “That’s her core.”

Rowan nodded. “Today has been busy, so I had to remember the ingredients.”

Mik sniffed. “Dinner smells great.”

“It will be ready in twenty minutes. I made enough for about eighteen people, so if you have family who wants a free meal, bring them over.”

Mik grinned. “What about the mage I am dating and business partners with?”

“Call him.”

Lucia smiled. “Yorwell is on the way.”

Ted chuckled. “Ormyet has to work, so he’s asking for pictures, and I have to describe the food.”

Win chuckled. “I will go home. My guys have already made dinner.”

Regis sighed. “Mine as well, but Ira is home from school. I should get going.”

Time flowing like a river, Time beckoning me. Aspen said.

Win nodded. “Six in the morning, Aspen. We will be here for you. Achilles will bring the statue.”

Rowan nodded. “If he doesn’t, I can shape one out of wood. Not as sturdy but faster to create. It just has to be a poppet, but I am guessing he’s an artist.”