“Cordelia!” Florence rushed towards us, her hands wrapping around my neck in a tight embrace. “You’re alive,” she whispered when I returned the gesture.
“Because of you.” I tightened my hands around her. “You saved my life.”
“You saved all of our lives.” Florence pulled away, the sunshine smile was back on her face.
“Are you injured?” The memory of when I’d seen her last came back to me: covered in blood from head to toe, she’dsat beside me, trying to save my life. “Caleb said you were in danger.”
“Danger?” She scoffed. “Two Wurdulacs tried to attack me when I left for the horses. One of them was almost able to escape.” A soft—dangerous—smile decorated her face.
“What about you?” I glanced at Roxanne, who stood at the threshold of the room. “And Gabriel?”
“We are well, Cordelia.” Roxanne walked into the room, settling on the floor beside us. “It’s from Gabriel.” She offered the piece of parchment to me. At my furrowed brows she added, “He left for Silverstone a few days ago to share the news about Kane.” Pride shone in her eyes when she looked at me. “Silverstone still stands. It’s over.”
I opened the parchment as my eyes scanned the contents.
The portcullis worked. The Wurdulacs no longer live. We won. Gabriel.
“No more war.” A slow smile stretched on my lips as I reread the letter again and again, the realization settling deep in my soul.
“No more war,” Roxanne nodded, pulling me into her embrace.
Chapter 46. Eternity.
Dusk was upon us, the evening sunlight peaked through the small opening of the curtains as Francis and I lay in the corner of the room: his arms keeping me safe.
Two nights had passed since the moment I’d awoken, two nights in Francis’ embrace: as he refused to leave me for even a moment.
“Are you certain you don’t want to stay another day here?” He whispered against my neck. “You are still healing.”
“I’m certain.” I turned on the woolen blanket to face him. “I’m sure a lot needs to be done at Silverstone after the attack.”
“There are plenty of people there to deal with the aftermath.” Francis’ thumb brushed over my lower lip. “You needn’t worry yourself with it. You did more in the war than anyone could’ve asked for.”
“I want to go,” I stated, meeting his gaze. “I’m tired of laying around, being useless.”
“So I see, my presence bores you,” Francis chuckled. “Very well then, but if you feel ill during our trip, we are stopping for a break.”
“If we take breaks we will not make it back to Silverstone before the sun comes up.” My brows furrowed. “And I will be fine. I feel a lot better.”
“If you say so,” Francis murmured, planting a gentle kiss on the corner of my lips. “But before we go, we should attend to another matter...”
“What’s wrong?” I pulled away slightly, searching his eyes.
My favorite smirk appeared on his face as his hands pulled me closer. “You need to feed, my love.”
