Kyndri swept up the letter, giving me a meaningful look.
“No, it’s not him,” I told her. “But he’s like a brother to me, and I want him know where he can find me. If he ever needs me.”
She inclined her head, walking around the bar to meet me on the other side. “If he ever comes back, I’ll give it to him. I promise. Don’t you worry.”
I’d found a kind soul in her, and I was grateful. “Thank you, Kyndri. For everything.”
“Ach,” she grumbled. “Get out of here before you miss the caravan. And if you’re ever in Laras again, come say hello with your little one.”
My throat burned. I hid my tears with a wobbly smile and collected my traveling bag from behind the bar, where I’d had it tucked away.
“Here,” she said, reaching into her pocket for coins. “Your last pay. With a little extra for food. You don’t eat enough. You need to keep up your strength.”
I gave her an impromptu hug, one she sighed into but patted me on the back nevertheless.
“Take care of yourself, Erina.”
I nodded, released her, and then gathered my bag. My eyes flitted to the letter in her hand, the only tie left I had to Luc here.
“Goodbye,” I told her.
Then I left Kyndri’s Landing for the last time on weary legs,navigating the darkened streets of Laras until I finally reached the transport depot.
The last caravan from Laras came on time. Behind me, Laras glittered. My heart was heavy, feeling like I was leaving Luc behind.
But for once, I needed to think about myself, what was best for me and the child I was now carrying.
Without another thought, I climbed into the caravan after the driver took my single bag and payment.
Then we set off for home.
Five days later,I was standing on the steps of House Terasyn. The caravan had been the lowest fare because of the ample stops along the way, and I’d only managed to bathe at a village in the middle of the country.
I was dirty and hungry and so incredibly tired.
But when Syndras opened the door to House Terasyn, when she saw me standing there, her eyes widening briefly on my rounding stomach, it felt like landing somewhere safe.
“Oh, my dear,” she said quietly, ushering me in the familiar home. “Come in, come in. Get warm.”
But I only embraced her, needing to feel touch and comfort. Despite my unbathed state, Syndras held me tight and stroked down my back. She’d always been kind and caring, if a little gruff, like a grandmother I’d never known. It had broken my heart to leave this House.
“You’re home now,” she whispered into my ear. “It will be okay.”
And I’d never heard more wonderfully necessary words in my entire life.
CHAPTER 31
KALDUR
The building keeper’s hands fumbled with the lock on the door when he tried to open it.
“But like I told you,Kyzaire,” he was saying, “she left last week.”
Ikrin, the Kylorr male’s name was. The inhabitants of the building had all come out to peer curiously, their eyes widening when they saw me, standing on the landing of their home.
“And where did she go?” I asked, frowning.
None of this made sense.
