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“I will never get used to that,” Mattias said and started through the hedge, disappearing into the darkness inside.
“Auri–”
Brinna watched Auri step close to Nix and grab hold of his jacket. He leaned closer, and Auri whispered words meant for only him.
He grinned, turning his head slightly into her and kissing her cheek. “Get your sister inside,” he ordered. “I’ll return with Lachlan soon, after you’ve had a chance to talk with your mother. Then you’re mine.” He faded away still holding Auri’s hand.
Brinna followed Mattias through the hedge, Auri a few steps behind. Brinna glanced over her shoulder at her sister, who was talking.
“I hate being apart from him,” Auri said and pressed her fingers to her heart, her eyes glistening with tears.
“It’s temporary,” Brinna offered and thought of Lucian, which didn’t make sense. They’d made peace, but the inexplicable desire to turn around and go back was extreme. She wouldn’t need to see him again unless it involved Nix and Auri—so why did the thought of that make her feel so sad?
When they reached the cottage, Scarlett was setting tea service out on the table along with food. Tarley and Jessamine were near her, setting platters of food down as well.
Brinna’s stomach rumbled.
“You’re here!” Her mother’s exuberance was a bit too animated. She rushed from the table to wrap Brinna in a tight hug. “You’re safe.”
Brinna’s belly rumbled with hunger again, but she hugged her mother back.
Scarlett pressed her palms against Brinna’s cheeks, her gray eyes scanning Brinna’s face as if searching for some change. After she let go of Brinna’s cheeks, her mother took her hands, checking for the ribbon that was ever-present. Brinna’s gaze jumped to Tarley and Auri, who’d lost theirs.
Scarlett finally smiled. “My family is all together. Again.”
Brinna turned to her sisters clumped together near the table, to Mattias flopped on the couch. Their father had stalled in the doorway to the backroom, but now resumed his walk, moving to kiss her before crossing to the hearth to add wood to the fire.
“I’m so relieved,” Scarlett added as she picked up the tea pot once more and filled the cups on the table.
“Well, I’m safe,” Brinna said. “Thanks to Lucian.” She plucked at a scone and popped it in her mouth.
Jessamine dried her hands on her apron. “Why weren’t you with us?”
Brinna glanced around at her family; their eyes heavy on her as they waited for an explanation. “I was looking for Mattias. I was worried about him, but I didn’t want to bother anyone. Everyone was having so much fun.”
“Worried about me?” Mattias asked.
Brinna nodded. “You looked like you were unhappy, and I watched you walk into the inn and followed to talk.”
His brows folded together. “You followed me?”
Brinna nodded and took another bite. “You weren’t there, so I thought maybe you’d left for home.”
“We asked you not to leave the inn,” her father said.
“They said not to leave the inn,” Mattias echoed. “Why would I have left?”
“I know, but I couldn’t find you,” Brinna said. “And I wasn’t thinking. I’m sorry.”
“We heard the screech of the darkling–” Jessamine shuddered.
“I’m supposed to be leaving for my honeymoon,” Tarley grumbled, getting to the point of things. “Lachlan will be here soon. Let’s get this over with.”
Jessamine followed Scarlett as she poured the last cup of tea. “It’s time for the truth, Mother.”
Scarlett set the teapot down and swiped her hands over her apron. “Yes. I owe you that, but the story isn’t a pleasant one. Sit. Take some tea with me first so we can think of happier things, like being together. That we’re all here. Safe.” She paused, her eyes jumping to Tarley, then back down at the table.
Brinna took her seat next to Auri and watched the rest of her family take their usual places around the table. Her heart thumped, ready to hear the story their mother had been withholding from them, but also afraid. Afraid because she knew whatever it was, she had a feeling it was going to change everything.
