“What?”
“My debt has been fully paid off,” she repeats.
My knees sink to the carpet, and I catch her wrist.
“May I?” I ask. She nods, and I roll up both her sleeves.
Deep umber, untouched skin. A miracle. It’s a miracle. She’s free, and with legal protections from Illusion, she could stay free. I brush a thumb across her wrist.
“Why didn’t you say?” My voice cracks.
“You’re skeptical of Eli, and I didn’t want you thinking I was trapped here. He’s a friend but nothing more. I don’t think he’ll ever be more. And it’s not because of sex,” she laughs. “It’s just that, well, he’s a High Fae.”
“But—but you’ve—”
“I’ve been busy. Who do you think gave Kassandra the idea for the faerie artist-in-residence?”
I marvel at her, not for the first time.
“I still have one hand.” She smiles. “I can write letters, you know.”
“So you—”
“Lady Kassandra seemed the most logical fae to approach,anyway. Illusion patronizes all the halfling and fae artists. Why can’t they sponsor a philanthropic cause like that of elevating the faeries?” My friend grins. “I told her to tell the council that it can be Illusion’s attempt at civilizing us. Those stupid fools loved that.”
“But—why didn’t she say anything?”
Lila shrugs. “It was our business to conduct.”
“Why didn’t you? I could’ve helped—”
“You would’ve meddled.”
“What did you give her?” I ask, my heart racing. “What was the cost?”
“Besides that of the program?”
“Yes, why did she agree? Kass is…she’s…”
But I don’t have the words because I don’t know what Kassandra is or who she’s become. How did such change happen in only a season?
“I don’t understand,” I say, my hands clasping hers. “Where did this come from?”
Lila smiles. “From you.”
“But I haven’t done anything.”
My friend leans forward, eyes glinting as she whispers: “You’ve folded her into your heart. Isn’t that everything?”
“I—” I shake my head, voice cracking. “But I could only do that because you brought me into yours.”
My friend’s grin grows wider. “And I wanted to be your friend the moment I saw your and Briar’s connection. I thought,Now, that is someone admirable. That is someone I want in my life.I’m just happy you felt the same way.”
My chest swells. Little sparks of kindness, all beginning with a faerie who sought a family. Does she know that in her waiting and wanting and willingness, she has created one? I stand, blinking, wiping my eyes.
“Are you staying here?” I ask.
“No, I’m applying to the artist-in-residence program.”
