We made a trip to Loxley; Agnes, Ulric, Sorin, Elora, and myself. I thought seeing the destruction first hand would somehow close the gap in my heart. Would allow the grief that’s been swallowing me up to heal, but all it did was remind me of how much we’ve lost. How much we’ll never get back.
Today, I’m making myself busy in the infirmary. Helping Tallulah the best I can as she mixes salves and remedies for the ill and injured. One of her hands is bandaged, open sores where she overused her magick still on the mend, yet she refuses to stop her work.
“Hand me that yarrow, will you?” She points to a bundle of dried white flowers and like one of the spirits that so often visit, I drift to it and hand it to her without thought. “Thank you.”
She begins crushing the flowers and I watch her mindlessly, the methodic pounding of her mortar and pestle soothing me.But then the pounding stops. “What is going on with you, Samaria?”
Snapping out of my daze, Tallulah has her arms crossed, ivy curling around her forearms like serpents. Since Roman died and Sorin and Elora were sworn in, the use of Enchantress magick has been restored and the thought is both exhilarating and terrifying.
Dozens of Enchantresses have come forth, some having found refuge in the forests much like Tallulah and Elora. Others, finding sanctuary high in the north, surviving in the cruelty of the tallest mountains. All, however, seemed to make it back to see the king and queen be crowned. To see magick restored.
To seehoperestored.
“I don’t know,” I admit, leaning against one of the metal tables in the infirmary of the castle. “There’s been so much change the last few weeks… few days, even. My mind is having a hard time comprehending everything.” I offer a small smile but Tallulah doesn’t seem to believe it and gives me a hug.
“You don’t need to be okay, you know that right? No one expects you to be strong all the time, Sam.” She pulls away, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.
“Thank you.”
Her face brightens as she turns and resumes her work.
“What will happen with you and Evren? Back to the Jade Guild?”
She begins mashing the dried yarrow into bits of dust. “Yes, back to the Jade Guild. It’s home.” She shrugs. “For a long time I think Evren dreamt of something larger, something different. But we’ve grown happy there. Content.”
She smiles, her eyes gazing out the small window of the room. “It took Evren longer than me to realize what we had right in front of us was more than enough. Life doesn’t need to be overflowing with adventure to be purposeful. To have meaning.To be exquisite and worth remembering.” She flicks her wrists to conjure a few more dried herbs to add to her mortar. “Although,” she adds, “I have been offered a job.” She smiles at me, crossing her arms. “From the Queen.”
“Tallulah,” I say with a smile. “That’s incredible. And what will you do?”
“She’s in need of a Head Enchantress,” she says, continuing her work. “I’ll help educate Enchantresses as well as aid those who have been in hiding for so long.” She says it casually, her hands busy making whatever concoction she’s created.
“There isn’t anyone better suited for the job,” I say. She turns to me, another smile swept across her face. “I’ll leave you to it.” I gesture to the herbs. “I need to go find my mother.” I pause at the threshold of the door. “I’m really happy to know you, Tallulah.”
Wiping her hands on her apron, she crosses her arms, leaning against the workbench, ivy swirling over her arms.
“Likewise, Samaria. Don’t be a stranger, wherever life takes you.”
It doesn’t take long to find Agnes. She and Ulric arrived just before the coronation and they’ve been just as busy with meetings as Elora and Sorin have. Figuring out where Loxlians will go, if they will rebuild or start anew in Valebridge. My mother’s face has relaxed these past few weeks, the stiffness in her walk eased, and a part of me has to wonder if it was the blight itself causing her so many ailments.
“Don’t linger, Samaria,” my mother says, noticing me in the doorway.
Elwyn and Celia join me, their spirits never far from my side. I keep my hands clasped together, not opening the bridge of communication.
“I just came to check on you, see how things are going.” I slide into a chair across from her as Ulric hands me a cup of tea.
“Things are moving along,” she says, smiling at Ulric as he sits next to her. “We lost quite a few during the battle.” She frowns before shaking off whatever dark thought may have crossed her. “But there are still so many people to relocate.”
“Relocate?” I set my tea on the side table. “Will they not rebuild?”
Agnes and Ulric share a glance before she lets out a long sigh.
“Loxley was our safe-haven,” Agnes says. “That feeling of safety has been robbed from us.” She shakes her head, but when Ulric slides his hand into hers, she relaxes. My throat bobs. “Sorin and Elora have taken the throne, with them everything changes. There’s no reason for us to hide, Sam. We’ve all agreed our home will be here. In Valebridge, or perhaps for some, in Wickersham.”
“Wait.” I hold up my hands, clenching my teeth. “When was this decided? Why was I not involved?”
“Sam,” Ulric says. I snap my gaze to him but my stern demeanor melts as soon as I meet his gray eyes. “You needn’t worry about us, if that’s what’s holding you back.”
“Holding me back? What are you?—”
