I nod my head again, and then set her down. I put on my pants and boots, but then dress her with the rest of my gear. When she protests, I silence her with a finger pressed to her lips.
“No. We will leave this here. You should never wear anything like that again. That’s another promise.”
She closes her eyes as if she wants to protest but instead thinks better.
“I’ll be better tomorrow. I promise, thank you, and I’m so?—”
“Stop. I’ve already told you to stop apologizing for everything. I am here now, and I forgive you for everything you can think of.”
She doesn’t speak. Her wide eyes look at me like I am something impossible, and I see what my heart has known from the moment the song started in my chest.
We belong to each other.
I dwell on every inch of her face, hollow as it now seems. I wish to know everything about her, from what brings her joy, what startles her laughter, to what soothes her wounds.
These were questions held back from us. Our pain used to beour points of connection, but now I see such a vast sea of possibilities in the distance.
I see her belly swollen with my child, our tending to her gardens, cooking in the kitchens. I hear her voice scolding soldiers and blessing marriages. She holds my head in her lap, stroking my skin and singing her tunes. There is peace.
Goodness.
She is brilliant, shining, life incarnate. A life given back to me and made whole.
“My sweet wife, like the little minx you are, you have snuck in and stolen all my sadness. Please, never give it back.” I reach out, brushing a curl behind her ear, and then we head out of the cave.
The memory of this place will be my first gift.
I shall spend every waking second thinking of more.
Chapter 22
Euclase
ESTELA
After the night in the cave, it takes one more full day of walking to reach the base of the mountains. The great, frozen sea with its massive floes is quiet, much like our exhausted group. Aside from the humming from Ulla and the daily checkups with the women, most of the noise comes from the crystals and the rhythmic slap of saltwater against enormous slabs of floating ice.
It’s disorienting to come back this way after so much in my life has changed. Five months ago, I came here to escape. Now…
I look at our large group as we trudge on. The elves are fearsome women with strong features.
Assassins, Teo reminds me through our bond. He shows me scenes from the enclave. He glosses over what he had to do to get the elves’ support, but I can’t fault him.
I haven’t shown him everything either.
There is time to compare scars.
Luckily, despite the waning health of a few, no one has died on the trek. They have no carts to pull. There’s no blood on the ground or whip-wielding monsters itching for anexcuse to make themselves feel powerful at a human’s expense.
Memories flash before my eyes faster than I can view them all. Everything isn’t perfect. It won’t be until Mikal is home—but it isright.
I nestle back into Teo’s bare chest, luxuriating in his suede skin’s soft, silky warmth. They offered me the otherglacialmara, since Liana had already taught me to ride during our training, but Niht has the four pregnant women mounted atop the creature, and he guides it along with a rope.
Melisa walks close by Niht. A few grouse flit between them. Hers is the sole laugh that rises above us all, sometimes joined by the elvish twins, Farryn and Elanila.
We’re so close to home, I can almost smell the inside of the cave. My eyes burn when I think of Arlet or Liana. I ache to know of Svanna and Iryth. I’ve kept them far from my mind to protect myself, but now, I am free to anticipate our reuniting.
When we get back inside the cave, will you stay in my room?
