The five of them wordlessly worked together to light a fire—small enough to see by, but not so big as to attract attention—and once it was lit, they gathered around it as they awaited Greya.
The apprehension in the air was palpable. Mel drew symbols in the dirt with her finger, swirling patterns that almost resembled those used to decorate the Great Antre in the Underworld, and Cris quietly broke sticks, throwing them into the fire every few minutes. Turner refused to sit and instead paced the space, visiting and touching each giant tree in turn over and over again.
But Ty’s eyes were drawn to Ena, as always. She stared into the fire, a task which always seemed to soothe her, and Ty was soothed in turn watching her. He knew he must look like a fool, watching her incessantly as she stared at the fire, but he couldn’t look away. Not now. Not when they were so close to—
Ty heard the noise first—the faint sound of a soft footstep on a beaten dirt path.
“Someone’s coming,” he announced in a whisper to the group, his eyes whipping towards the dark woods.
They all stood up, Ty’s hand immediately going to the dagger on his belt. The footsteps were delicate, and sounded like they came from just one individual, but you never knew with witches.
It was a few minutes later that he saw her emerge from the dark wood, following the path that led to the Auster Coven’s village.
She was as Ty remembered her, albeit a little older now. Her pale-blonde hair was mostly covered by the hood of the black cloak she wore, but the tip of her braid peeked out the bottom. Her face was—Iblis, it was so much like Ena’s, with a gentle brow and rose-colored lips. But her eyes were different, slightly smaller and brown compared to Ena’s big blues, and her skin wasn’t nearly as pale.
And she was alone. Ty heard no other signs of approach—and silently thanked Iblis for it as he removed his hand from his dagger.
The sisters spotted each other, and Ty smiled despite himself as he watched them. Ena rushed towards her sister, the two of them falling into an embrace so natural it was like watching two vines entwine together, fusing as they grew.
“I missed you so much,” he heard Ena say, her voice emotional and muffled in her sister’s cloak.
“I missed you too,” Greya responded, sounding relieved. Pulling away from her sister, Greya patted the leather bag slung across her body. “I brought what you needed,” she added confidently.
“Did you commune with Gaia like I suggested?” Ena asked, her voice slightly choked.
“I did, and you’re right. I believe that doing this is for the better, despite the risks. I’m with you, Ena.”
The sisters smiled at each other, and Ena turned to look behind her, drawing Greya’s attention to the rest of them.
Greya’s eyes landed on him first, not in an unfriendly way, but definitely judging, as he approached them.
“You must be Ty,” she said neutrally, looking him up and down. “You look different from what I remember.”
“Nine years will do that to you,” he said, meeting the witch’s assessing gaze.
“It’s nice to officially meet you,” she said, extending her hand hesitantly.
“Likewise,” he responded, shaking her petite hand in greeting.
She may have been hesitant—maybe because of his and Ena’s history, maybe because he was a daemon, he didn’t know—but her grip was strong and confident, like a matriarch’s should be, and something in him settled a bit. He was glad Ena had her—this stable, loving force—in her life. She deserved it. She deserved so much.
“Where’s Perse?” Ena asked as they broke their handshake.
Greya looked at her, clearing her throat slightly. “I may have…slipped him a sleeping potion with dinner.”
Ena gasped, fighting a smile. “Greya, you didn’t,” she said, chastising her lightheartedly. Iblis, it was good to see her smile. Though an irrational pang of sadness struck him that he wasn’t the cause of it anymore.
“I didn’t want him to be involved in this,” Greya explained defensively. “The fewer people that know, the better, at least until we can ease the Coven into the idea of this. It’s the best way to protect him.”
“Did you two ever…” Ena began, her tone tinged with sadness.
“Yes,” Greya responded guiltily. “We were handfasted a few weeks ago,” she confirmed. “I wanted to wait for you, I really, really did, but I didn’t know when you were coming back, and Perse—”
“Stop,” Ena said, holding up her hand. “It’s alright. I understand completely. I’m so, so happy for you two,” she said,reaching out to squeeze Greya’s arm. “I’m just sorry I wasn’t there. Do you forgive me?”
Her sister smiled at her, looking relieved. “Always,” she said, reaching out to hold Ena’s hands.
“Aren’t you going to introduce me?” Turner asked, as he approached the three of them.
