Agnes leans forward and grasps my hand in hers. “You think I don’t know you, Sam,” she says. “And while it’s true my focus has been on Sorin, I’ve always known you. Maybe better than you think.”
My hand trembles in hers. After the battle of Valebridge I learned so much about my brother’s past. About him and Elora and the souls that live within them. I learned of Elwyn and Celia’s part to ensure Sorin and Elora lived. I learned of my mother’s role to keep Sorin safe until fate decided it was time for him and Elora to be reunited.
“Go live your life, Sam,” she says. “Go see all the things you have not yet seen. Feel the things you haven’t let yourself feel. This is always your home, you will always have a place here, butmy daughter, you were born for so much more. Can’t you see that?”
My eyes sting as she lets my hand go, and the reality of it crashes into my chest. If I leave, there’s no saying when I’ll be back. “But I’ll miss you.”
She smiles, tears lining her eyes. “And I you. But he is your heart, Sam. You go where your heart goes.” She glances at Ulric, his hand finding hers again.
A tear slips down my cheek as we stand, the three of us joining for a hug.
“We love you, Sam.”
My throat burns, but I swallow down my emotion as I pull away. “I love you too.”
“Now, go.” She winks and waves me toward the door.
Just as I slip out, I glance behind me and catch Ulric kissing her cheek.
The race through the castle is dizzying, and I try my best to remember the way to the meeting room but end up getting lost, twice. It isn’t until I find Sera and she guides me that I make it to Sorin and Elora’s chambers.
For the first time in days, I find them not buried behind a mountain of paperwork, but instead toppled on top of each other on the settee near the fire.
“Do youeverknock?” Sorin scoffs, smoothing his hair and shirt. Elora sits up next, buttoning her shirt quickly but missing a few.
I cringe.
Gross.
“I’m sorry, it’s urgent.”
You go where your heart goes.
“Tell me leaving with Jarek is a terrible idea.” My mind has played out every possible way leavingisa terrible idea, andsurprisingly, it also showed me all the good it could bring. So I need them to confirm it. I need them to tell me what I should do.
They share a glance with each other. Their silence makes my fingers twitch as I pace through the room. “Loxley is gone, and with mother and Ulric aging surely it would be reckless for me to?—”
“Sam.” Sorin’s hand lands on my arm and I stop.
“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
Why are you looking at me like you’re about to say goodbye?
“As much as I will miss my sister who loves nothing more than challenging me,” he says, his grip firm around my arm, “I think you already know what you must do.” His face softens, his hand slipping from me. “You are Samaria Trednik of Loxley. You don’t need anyone’s approval to make a decision about your future. Your country loves you, your people love you.” He bends closer, so his words stuck between him and me. “I love you.”
Elora joins us, her arm wrapping around Sorin’s middle. “If you’re looking for someone to tell you to stay, it isn’t us.”
They both smile and yet my stomach sinks.
“But—”
“Write as often as you can,” Elora says. Her wrists are still scarred, but the pain must be less because she grasps me tightly.
“I’ll miss you,” she whispers against my ear.
When I pull away, I soak in the beauty of my queen. Golden hair to match her golden eyes, battle scars and a permanent crease between her brows. The most beautiful queen, Enchantress, sister, I’ve had the honor of knowing.
Sorin sighs dramatically, running a hand down his face. “You and Jarek have been annoyingly inseparable from the start, anyway. It only makes sense.”
