The three of us stand there together, gazing at the vast world before us, hand in hand.
Together.
We have many things ahead of us—pain, suffering, and endless worries—that stack higher than the surrounding mountains. We will endure exhaustion, sadness, and maybe, just maybe, we will have a few moments of togetherness—moments where the pain seems worthwhile.
We will have our time to fight back, to reclaim what we lost, and we will have our time when peace falls over this land once more. I have no idea how we are going to get there, but I look around me and see a group of people who want the same things that I do. They desire peace, love, and a world where no suffering falls upon those who wish to thrive in a simple life.
I glance at Silas, and he looks at me intensely, our souls connecting for a moment. Neither of us speaks, hoping not to disturb Larkin in this moment of pure silence.
“We will get through this,”I say in my mind.
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because we have to.” I attempt to smile. “And because we have each other.”
Silas nods, glancing back to the sea and the rising sun on the horizon.
“We can do this.”
“Together,”he responds.
“Together.”
Chapter 49
A few days later.
The crisp morning air stings my face as we all move to the edge of the cliff. The sun sits low in the sky, bestowing a peaceful glow upon us that fills the world around us. The air is light, and we walk in unison toward a small area prepped by Oak and Rose for this moment—a memorial for Warrick.
A small, grassy path leads us toward the area, and I keep my gaze forward. I walk hand in hand with Silas. Larkin and Fen walk behind us, while Oak assists a limping Maines down the path. Rose stands before the small pillar, and I hold my breath, forcing myself to look.
A white sheet flutters in the wind, covering a large body—Warrick’s.
I squeeze Silas’s hand, letting him know that I’m here, as I fight back the tears that want to flow. The morning sky is filled with a beautiful warming light, and I can’t help but think that Warrick is here right now, using his Lumor abilities to cast us—and this moment—in such a lovely glow.
A few chairs have been placed around the area for us to sit, share a few words, and dedicate a lovely moment to Warrick, and Warrick only. Fen quietly sobs as she sits closest to him, followed by me and Silas, with Larkin on the other side.
Since the trip was far, Maines and Oak stay at a distance, so we don’t exhaust her too much. The healers warned that even shifting her during this fragile state could be detrimental to her healing journey, so heading back to the mainland isn’t going to be an option for a while.
We can continue our plans from here. Plus, Andorwood seems like home at this point.
Over the past few days, Oak has mentioned the darkness that seems to sit on Maines’s shoulders like an ever-present shadow, but I can’t feel it—it’s like I’ve been shut out. He’s so worried about her, and I can’t blame him.
Seeing someone you love suffer like that changes you—always for the stronger, but never for the better.
Rose stands before us, dressed in a beautiful gown, and begins to speak in her softest voice about what it’s like to love and to lose. She talks about how people cope with grief, and how, over time, everyday pain eases, but the deep wound that death leaves never disappears—like a dark stain on your soul.
Death is an invisible, deep scar that we all will share.
Everyone except Fenmore fights back tears, but we all listen together, letting the soft breeze surround us like a peaceful whisper.
The sky above us is beautiful. White clouds that look like you could sit on them fill the sky, and the sea is like a sheet of brilliant glass. A small fire burns near our chairs, and a torch sits close by.
The past few nights, I’ve spent time with Silas, talking into the late hours until he passes out from exhaustion—usually in my arms. Larkin has also been keeping close, while Fen prefersher own company. Oak spends most of his time with Maines, helping her recover by going on short walks and engaging in various forms of therapy. We’ve had no luck reading anything further in the book we retrieved from the Archives. We will have to wait until Oak’s grandfather can get his hands on it to truly understand what we possess.
In the meantime, we will study, train, prepare, and rebuild Andorwood from the losses of the battle before we make our way back to the mainland.
Rose steps down from her post and is replaced by Fenmore. She stands on unsteady legs and moves toward the platform with Larkin’s assistance. Her footsteps are silent on the soft grass, and her hands quiver at her sides, but she remains tall. Fen stares at the white sheet covering Warrick for a long while before facing us in the small gathering.
