He gently grabs my cheek and turns my head to face him. “It won’t—we’re making sure of it.”
Archer decided to document everything we’ve learned about the Dreaming Willow Inn’s history so far, and anything we have yet to discover. Maybe one day, our descendants will continue the tradition, making sure stories are never forgotten or hidden ever again.
I change the subject to the letter he received from his mother. He and Sybil miss their family, and he’s aware of my secret fascination with Junimere. Now it makes sense why I was so interested in the town, and why Hexate traveled all the way from there. I’d like to visit. As nervous as I am, I would love to meet his family. It’ll be different than anything I’ve experienced.
I’m proud of our coven and hope that they’d want to visit us one day too.
Laying back, he closes his eyes and lays an arm across my lap. “What were you doing out here anyway?”
I almost ask how he knew where to find me.The bond.
Twisting my lips to the side, I admit, “I was writing Agatha back. It’s been a little over two months but… I don’t know.”
He opens one eye and offers me an encouraging smile. “I think you should. We’ll stay out here with you.”
Nodding, I swallow my anxiety down and grab the pen again. He squeezes my leg before resting next to me.
With a deep breath, I start writing.
Dear Agatha,
I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to respond. Life has been… interesting since I got to the Dreaming Willow Inn.
It was a nice surprise to hear from you. Truthfully, I didn’t expect anyone would care that I left. Mother’s anger was never a question. It’s nice to know how terrified of the inn she is.
Please, Agatha, do not share this with anyone. I want you to know that the inn is safe. I am okay. Better than okay.
For the first time in a very long time, I can see a glimmer of hope for my future. The curse is broken. Well, sort of. That is far too simple of a way to explain what happened, but no more Blackthorn witches should be driven mad and back to the inn. I wasn’t alone while I did it.
I have a coven now. I’m restoring the inn. And… I made the Soul Tie Bond.
My life is everything I could have ever hoped for it to be.
I wanted to tell you not to worry. Don’t waste that energy on me.
There’s one more thing. I met Calista. She is a complicated being. She told us what the price of everoot is. I don’t know what it does to you, to have someone drain the blood and magic right out of your body.
I want to tell you thank you for the many sacrifices you have made to protect me and our younger sisters. It’s not something a person can fully grasp without meeting Calista. Still, I only have a small inkling of what you have endured by her hand.
So believe me when I promise, if you ever want to run away yourself, come to the Dreaming Willow Inn. To hell with New York City. We could be together again here.
The invitation has no expiration date, so I hope to see you again in this lifetime.
Forever your sister,
Renata
Taking a deep breath, I look at Archer and try to not let the grief pull me down. It was easier to live without Agatha when I didn’t understand the extent of her sacrifices and our complicated family. Now, I find myself longing for that relationship more often than I have in years.
Archer opens his eyes, looking concerned, and I crawl into his lap. He holds me close and rests his chin on my head as I cry for Agatha—for myself.
Thanks to his powers, Archer has always known that sadness is one of my most familiar emotions. Once we had access to the years in ourdream state, he realized that it goes much deeper. It’s something I don’t think I’ll ever be able to cure, and he feels it all the time now too.
“Archer,” I murmur. “Can you just ease the pain? A little?”
He looks down at me and tilts my chin to meet his eyes. His reluctance weakens every time I ask him to use his magic to lift some of the weight from my soul, if only for a little while. I hope one day he realizes what a beautiful gift it is to bring someone instant comfort when they need it the most.
He nods and tucks my head into his neck. After a few seconds, the waves of despair and melancholy begin to pull back, and I’m left with the warmth of Archer’s love and appreciation for me—for our life.
