Off in the distance, Marta stood beside Iris, giving her another lesson on how to control her magic. They were surrounded by a sea of wildflower blooms; bright pinks, purples, and yellows, all sprouting from the earth around them.
Iris turned when she heard Wren’s wails, a smile spreading over her face as she rushed across the meadow to meet us.
“Has she been awake long?” Iris asked, already unlacing the neck of her dress.
I shook my head and handed her the babe. “Not long at all.”
“Shhh,” Iris cooed. “Mama’s here.” She lowered to the ground and brought Wren to her breast, the baby’s cries ceasing the moment she latched.
Motherhood suited her, and if she ever wished for more children, I’d happily oblige.
I sat down next to them and plucked a daisy, taking a deep sniff of the flower before tucking it into Iris’s braid.
“I missed you,” she said and pulled me in for a kiss.
“I missed you, too.”
I did each time I was away from her–no matter how long it was.
How did I ever think I’d be able to leave her? To give all of this up for a lonely life down in the caves?
Marta finally joined us, plopping herself down on the grass with a heavy sigh. “This damn summer heat will be the death of me.” She puffed out a breath and ran her hands over the flowers. “Iris is really catching on quick, isn’t she?”
“Yes, much faster than I did.”
Iris’s affinity for plants had presented itself one afternoon when I’d caught my horn on the doorframe of Marta and Elric’s house. While I rubbed my aching head, she’d broken out in a fit of laughter that had flowers blooming all the way up the front walk. Marta had been helping her hone her skills ever since.
Iris held out her left hand and wiggled her fingers, coaxing a deep violet flower out of the ground.
An iris.
The sun caught on the thin gold band that wrapped around her ring finger. The ring I’d presented her with when I asked her to share her life with me—to which she’d happily agreed.
In the months since our decision to stay in Belden, things had changed drastically.
We still patrolled the caves, but there were no other sacrifices. It appeared that Iris and Elric were right in their assessment of the situation.
Yet the threat ofwhat ifcontinued to linger in my mind.
The residents of Grafberg, humans with thoughts, and dreams, and aspirations—they didn’t deserve that intimidation looming over them.
I was pulled out of my thoughts by the thunderous sound of hooves pounding against the dirt off in the distance.
“I think Elric is back from Elsinore.” My ears twitched as the noise drew nearer. “He’s in a hurry, too.”
Elric had left for the trade capital early this morning with a cart full of flowers and the promise that he’d be back in time for supper. I’d offered to go with him, but he insisted I take a day for myself.
Marta groaned as she rose to her feet. “Let’s go on and meet him then.”
I took Iris’s hand, helping her to stand with Wren still at her breast.
Just as we passed the cottage, Elric ran through the fields to meet us, frantically waving something in his hand.
“I’ve got it! I’ve got it!” he screamed like a madman, racing toward us.
“What is it, Elric?” I asked as he came to a stop in front of us.
“One moment,” he huffed, bent over with his hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath. He looked up at Iris and she nodded, smiling.
