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“Never thought I’d see the day,” Ambrose mutters, but there’s warmth in his tone, something like joyous awe. Maybe this can be a new start for both courts.
The other fae must feel it too because no sooner have the kings released one another than Moria appears at Sigurd’s side. Fury rolls off her in waves, even as she gathers Sigurd in a tight hug, causing him to cry out in pain.
She releases him instantly, but the scowl on her face remains. “You could have died!” she snaps, berating him in front of everyone. “I’d have cursed you into the beyond if you lost your life so foolishly and left me behind.”
The hint of a grin twitches at the corner of Sigurd’s lip. “I think you’ve said that before.”
“I mean it.” She wags a finger at him. “And you—” She shifts her focus to me. In an instant, she’s before me, pulling me into an equally tight hug that steals my breath. As she releases me, she says, “You humans cause my family such trouble.”
“I worried about you too,” I reply.
The smallest touch of color rises to her cheeks, and for Moria, that speaks volumes.
“I’ll be taking them home now,” she says to the assembled from the Court of the Forest.
“Thank you,” Sigurd says, nodding to the king and then to Solona.
Riven nods in return but does not speak. Lia elbows him in the side, and he scowls down at her. All at once, the look softens, speaking volumes of whatever lies between the two.
“And you,” Riven responds like a scolded child. “Thank you for peace.”
“Good to see you, Moria,” Ambrose says.
She snorts air through her nose by way of response, to which he laughs. Whatever history is there, I’m not sure I want to know.
Moria reaches for my hand, presumably to shift us away.
But I step back. “Wait.”
“What—” she begins, but I’ve already turned back to the King of the Forest.
“Galen.” I haven’t seen him since he vanished with Sylvie earlier, but I have to believe he’s okay. “Please, don’t be too hard on him,” I beg them one and all. “He didn’t want to betray you.” I leave out exactly why he did. There’s no point bringing up sins of the past that may have them rethinking this deal. “He thinks of the Forest as his home. He wants to be with you all.”
I turn to Sigurd, this part as much for him as the others. His scowl shows exactly how he feels about Galen, but I won’t let that deter me.
“He tried to make things right in his way by bringing me to you all. That was his intent, but things went…not as anyone planned.”
Except maybe Katiya, now that I think about it. We all played perfectly into her and Kallan’s hands, though it seems like this outcome is different from what they hoped. Actually, I know it is.
“He was my friend while he was in the Court of Air,” I continue. “He helped me. Please—”
“He’s my friend too,” Lia says, surprising me. “I don’t think he wanted to hurt us. Or you.”
I nod along, so grateful for someone who understands, even if the men don’t.
“He didn’t,” I confirm. He may have abducted me, but if he didn’t care, he wouldn’t have saved me from Katiya. “Even today, he protected me. He’s the reason I got away from the Unseelie.”
At least that bit got Sigurd’s attention and in a good way, if the loosening of his crossed arms is any indication.
“Galen was hurt in the battle,” I say. “Please…”
Ambrose nods along, scratching at his beard. “I’ll talk to him.”
“As will I,” Riven echoes.
I’ll make sure he’s okay, Lia mouths, or at least I think she does.
It’s enough. He’ll be okay. He has to be. And I sense I won’t be getting anything more on this front, not immediately.
