My magic is weak from the battle, but using the last of my strength, I search Astrid for that thread of her fae self, the thread I can use to pull her back to us.
But I feel…nothing.
Even with Konreth, I’d felt the faintest glimmer.
Now there’s only animal.
“No, no, no,” I stammer. I can’t lose anyone else today. I can’t.
Footsteps sound above me, and I see Eldor rushing into the throne room. “I’ve just come from Castletree. It’s as we feared,” he stammers. “All the Winter staff…they’ve lost themselves. We’re containing them as best we can.”
“I’ll go help,” Dayton says, standing. “We’ll make sure they’re safe.”
“Astrid,” I whisper. “You’ve been the best friend I’ve had in…in forever. The first person in the Enchanted Vale who didn’t see me as just some outsider. You gave me a place. You gave me hope.” The words spill out. I clutch her tiny form closer, my fingers trembling against her fur. “I remember when you painted that dress for me, the one I wore to the Below. It was beautiful, Astrid. You’re beautiful. I thought…I thought maybe I could belong here because of you.”
A sob racks my chest, and I press my forehead to her soft body.
“And that night we had the sleepover?” I continue, my voice cracking. “I hadn’t laughed like that in so long. Again and again, you’ve made me feel like I wasn’t alone.” Memories pour out of me in a flood. “I don’t want to lose you, Astrid. I can’t lose you. Please,” I beg, the word falling from my lips like a prayer. “Come back to me.”
For a moment, there’s nothing but silence, broken only by the sound of my own quiet sobs. I place her on the ground, and she blinks up at me with two beady red eyes. Then she scurries beneath a discarded piece of wood.
Movements entirely animal.
86
Rosalina
“Come, Rosalina.” Ezryn holds out his hand for me. “It’s timeto end this.”
“We’re with you,” Farron says. Late morning light illuminates the red in his hair. Dayton trails behind him.
“I know,” I reply and take his hand as we walk toward the enchanted door in Castletree that connects with the Winter Realm.
Yesterday, after Keldarion left, I’d returned to Castletree with Dayton and Farron. It was true what Eldy had said. The Winter staff have lost themselves to their animal forms. I haven’t been able to turn them back, but thankfully, I was able to calm the wilder ones. We’ve gotten everyone secured now, with special attention to separate the prey species from the predators to ensure there are no accidents.
Marigold and Eldy are taking charge of Astrid, but there’s been no change to her.
It’s the best we can do for now.
I’d fallen asleep wrapped in Dayton’s arms, but the bed felt too big for the two of us. I’d expected Farron to join us, but he never did. Apparently, he was in the Autumn wing, trying tobanish the green flames that keep burning in the fireplace. My stomach twists at the thought. He’d been able to break out of Caspian’s hold and save himself and Dayton. I suppose I don’t have any other choice but to trust him.
Ezryn had stayed to settle things at Winter, though he joined Dayton and I in bed late at night, saying he’d returned Kairyn, who had gone willingly, to prison. He may have helped defend Ezryn, but Kairyn still has much to answer for.
And I have no doubt Faustrius will return for his creation.
My sister, who Caspian sacrificed himself for, is gone.
I thought the news that she ran away again would make me angrier, but she’s a bird who can finally fly. She has true freedom for the first time in her life. With the bow shattered and no longer under Sira’s control, she can’t be forced to hurt anyone anymore.
If there is peace out there for her, I hope she finds it.
A blast of cold air hits us as we step into the now familiar stone halls of Keep Wolfhelm. “If Kel hasn’t returned, I have to go after him,” I say.
“Rosalina—” Ezryn begins, his tone measured, but I cut him off.
“Farron ran from me in his beast form once,” I continue, my resolve hardening. “I found him. I’ll do the same with Keldarion.”
“You can do anything you set your mind to, sweetheart.” Farron leans down and kisses my temple.
