Faces.Obscuredfaces. People walking behind the low-hanging leaves of a tree. I peer harder, and a wind blows, clearing away the leaves.
I gasp and grip the table’s edge. Warek walks toward the charred remains of the village, his face saddened and downturned but lined with the same gentleness he was known for in Silver Hollow.
But he is not alone.
With a limp in her step, Mena struggles along behind him, a little girl clinging to her hand—Saira. Tuck the dog trots lazily next to his girl.
And there, beside Hel’s father, is someone else. His dark face is hard and filled with bitterness, his skin chapped from the cold morning wind and autumn sun. A shovel rests on his strong shoulder.
I close my eyes, and my heart cleaves in two.
Finn.
I standwith my sister in the falling snow, outside what’s left of the stables. I would’ve never imagined her this way, but she looks fierce, her long hair in tight braids against her skull, her body clad in furs and glinting weapons.
We’re surrounded by more than two dozen Witch Walkers and Northlanders, as well as their families, lovers, and friends, all saying their goodbyes. The grooms lead Mannus and Tuck from their stalls against a cold wind, and though my heart is filled with strife, it still swells for the horses who saw Alexus and me through the wood and will carry us through yet another adventure.
Alexus takes their reins, his dark hair and black cloak whipping in the wind. When he sees me, he smiles, but there’s a sad edge to it. His last words before we left his chambers were:If my life is cut short,I will die happy because I had this time with you. But I will fight for more. I will fight for Colden. And I will fight for us.
Nephele takes me by the shoulders, tenderness shining in her eyes. “I know you’re uncertain about being here, Raina. About this journey. So much has happened. And I know I haven’t been around you and Finn for a very long time, but Alexus is one of my truest friends. I see the way he looks at you. I’ve heard the way he speaks about you with such admiration. That man would burn down the world for Raina Bloodgood, and not just because you saved his life.” She gives me a small smile and slides her hands down to clasp mine. “I also know you’re in a difficult position after seeing Finn. If I can give you any advice, it’s to listen to your heart.” She pauses, then holds my gaze. “Alexus Thibault is a man who doesn’t give his loveorhis body freely, Raina. This is different for him.Youare different for him.”
As Alexus approaches, Nephele casts a glance and a smile in his direction and then turns and strides away. She gives me one last look and a wink over her shoulder.
I didn’t need the advice. I knew what I had to do the moment I saw Finn’s handsome face.
Alexus halts the horses a few feet away from me. An awkward distance builds in the space between us, a distance that would’ve been unthinkable a few hours ago.
“I heard about the hunters,” he says. “And your friends—Rhonin’s grandmother. Warek and Finn Owyn.” He clears his throat. “I hadn’t realized Finn was Helena’s brother, the blacksmith’s son.” His eyes are soft and kind when he says Finn’s name, but uncertainty and turmoil fill his voice. “I’m glad they’re all right,” he adds. “We’re a sennight’s ride from the vale, but with you watching the waters, I’m sure we’ll be able to find them should they travel.” He pauses, his voice quiet, his eyes sincere. “You owe me nothing, Raina. I know Finn being alive changes things. And I understand.”
“It changes nothing,”I tell him, staring up into his eyes.
Because it doesn’t. It hasn’t. I don’t know how I’ll ever explain to Finn what I feel for Alexus or how it happened in such a short time. But everything in my world has changed.
I’ve changed. And I can’t stop thinking about Mena’s words ofwisdom.Something must always be lost if you’re ever to gain. Don’t fear this. You will never move forward if you never leave things behind.
I don’t want to leave Finn behind. He’s been my dearest friend and such an enormous part of my life. But I know he will not suffer me being with Alexus in any manner. It’s one thing for him to see me living my life alone. It will be a wholly different circumstance for him to see me with someone other than him.
And I’m not willing to give up the man standing before me.
“You’re sure?” Alexus asks. Uncertainty lines his furrowed brow.
“I am more sure than I have been about anything in a long time.”I step closer and take his hand.
He exhales, his breath clouding in the wintry air, and without a moment’s hesitation, pulls me into his arms, bends down, and kisses me as though he hasn’t kissed me in centuries. No one has ever kissed me the way he does, like I’m meant to be savored and cherished.
When he finally releases me, I realize we’re being watched.
Face heating, I scrape my teeth over my bottom lip and duck my head.“What will the others think?”I sign.
With a smile so true it makes his dimple appear, he leans close, his green stare sparkling in the morning light. “They’ll think we’re desperate for one another, and they won’t be wrong.” He kisses me again—deeper, longer. A kiss that says:She’s mine.
In those moments, the world falls away, and I no longer care who’s watching.
But then he breaks the kiss, and our reality returns. Alexus faces the crowd behind us and whistles loudly to gather everyone’s attention. “Mount up,” he shouts. “It’s time.”
He helps me onto Tuck’s back, fitting me in the saddle. I tighten my fingers around the reins as Hel, Nephele, and Rhonin ride up alongside.
Rhonin bows his head and presses his fist over his heart. “Thank you for checking the waters, Raina. It means everything.”
