My magic feels strong and powerful, infused with Spring’s Blessing. My vines find root within the rock and burst forth, glowing like shards of sunlight. Delicately, they cradle my sister and weave up through the cavern until they reach the flat roof beyond the small hole I saw earlier. I guide them to set her down safely.
Then, I place a hand on my vine, ready for it to pull me up. I look back over to the pillar, where Kairyn lies pinned.
I’d told Ezryn I fell in love with him because of his gentle heart. That gentle heart has carried him out of his malice. He found his way back to me by choosing mercy. My gaze drifts upward. My thick vines block Wrenley from my view, but I know she’s lying there. I have to believe there’s good in her. Just as Ezryn has to believe there’s good in Kairyn.
I don’t think. I run, leaping over the water, my vines carrying me across the distance. Then, with a roar, I erupt another huge patch of briars. They wrap around the pillar, the strength of root and rock singing through my blood. The pillar lifts off of Kairyn, and my vines chuck it into the water.
I sink to my knees behind him and place my hands on either side of his head. Just through touch, I feel his body like a network of roots stretching out through the soil. His heartbeat is so weak …
I focus, channeling my newfound magic into him. A soft, golden glow emanates from my palms. My magic flows through that incorporeal root system I’d felt earlier, mending bones, restoring breath. With each passing moment, I sense the pain leaving his body.
His heartbeat strengthens and his breath regulates. His eyes do not open again, but I feel strength flow through him. I let go of his face, panting. Spring’s Blessing is not just healing or renewal.
Like the first flower fighting against a frost, Spring is hope.
That is what I give to Ezryn. To Kairyn. And hopefully, to Wrenley.
Gently, I slide Kairyn’s helmet over his face. I lace my arms under the unconscious former High Prince of Spring and pull him tight to my chest. Then my vines wrap around us and carry us into the light.
CHAPTER 116
Rosalina
My thorns whip Kairyn and me through the hole and out of the cavern. I blink against the bright sunlight, barely able to see as I guide us down to the flat rooftop. Waves crash against the sides, and the only visible monuments left of Hadria are towers.
The capital of the Summer Realm has sunk into the sea.
My feet hit the stone and the vines tremble away, leaving me to support the unconscious Kairyn. Gently, I lower him to the ground and look for Wrenley.
She’s awake, standing, a hand pressed to her temple.
And she’s not alone.
Sira stands beside her, shadows licking at her edges. The Bow of Radiance is suspended before Wrenley, held aloft by a pedestal of shadow.
I look from my sister to the Queen of the Below. What is she doing here? I thought she left when she got the bow!
She’s come back for Wrenley.
That bow was my mother’s. It belongs tome.A primal rage erupts through me, and white-hot flame explodes over my hands. Vines with spikes sharp as serpents’ fangs crack out of the ground and bob beside me. “Give that to me.”
Sira raises an eyebrow and crosses her arms, smirking at Wrenley. “Take the bow, darling.”
I look at my sister. “Don’t do it. You don’t have to listen to her.”
Wrenley blinks, expression disoriented.
“Take the bow,” Sira snarls.
Wrenley reaches forward and clasps the grip.
I saved her life. Maybe it doesn’t mean anything to her, but it means something to me. Iwon’tgive up on her. I take a tentative step forward. “Wrenley, come with me. You don’t need her. I’ll keep you safe.”
Wrenley looks at Kairyn, lying unconscious beside me. “What did you do to him?”
“He’s alive,” I breathe.
A look of relief flashes on her face. Her iridescent vines lurch up from the ground, wrapping around Kairyn, fast as a snake’s strike. Within a moment, he’s sunk down beneath the earth.
