“He did?”
Tharios nods. “He saw you. Or the idea of you. What you would mean for Lostariel and Nunia. Now go.”
Cerian doesn’t stop to ponder Tharios’s words as he rushes to Mother and Father’s chamber next. He pounds on the door this time until it bursts open to reveal Father. At least he’s dressed still.
Cerian doesn’t wait for Father to speak. “I had a vision that Elowyn was hurt, and Arisanna took me to Feressa so we could send a telegram to check on her. This was waiting when we arrived.” He hands the paper to Father, whose eyes have grown wide, and suddenly Mother is there, too.
“What does it say?” she asks.
“It’s from Rominy,” Father says. “Elowyn is sick, and he’s bringing her to Feressa. Did you tell Tharios?”
Cerian nods. “And I told the grooms to saddle horses.”
“You came from Feressa?” Mother asks.
“Yes. It’s been a long day.”
“Where is Arisanna?” Father asks as he tosses items into a satchel.
“Sleeping while she can.”
“Cerian,” Mother says gently. “She’s human. Don’t forget that. She won’t be able to keep up with you.”
He frowns. “I know.”
“You’ve done your part. Let us take it from here.”
“What?”
“You need to care for Arisanna now. Here at Windhaven.”
Cerian shakes his head. “No. We’re coming, too.”
“Cerian—”
“It’s Elowyn.”
Mother and Father exchange a glance.
“And Rominy,” Cerian adds. “Her brother. She wishes to go.”
Mother purses her lips and then sighs. “Fine. If she chooses to come. But it’s up to her. Do you hear me? Do not pressure her to be an elf. She’s human, and you are neverto make her feel as though she needs to be anything else. She is who she is, and—”
“Who she is is enough. I know. I-I love her. She’s perfect just the way she is.”
Both his parents’ eyes snap toward him. Did he really confess his love for Arisanna to his parents?
“We are glad to hear that,” Father says. “Now we need to go.” He flies from the room with Mother on his heels.
As she passes Cerian, she takes his arm. “If Arisanna insists on coming, I want you to ride Stardust together, and one of us will help her sleep. You’ll have to hold her so she doesn’t fall. But if she doesn’t rest—”
“I know. I can do that.”
“And the first chance you get, you will sleep, too. Do you hear me?”
Cerian nods, and Mother briefly pulls his forehead down to meet hers before hurrying after Father.
Fate Knew I Needed You
