Like my relationship with my sisters. I’d spent years trying to protect them, never quite trusting them to handle challenges on their own. I’d been so focused on keeping them safe that I’d forgotten to let them grow strong.
No, I’d forgotten to let myself grow strong beside them.
Lady Featherby and I weren’t so different in that way. Both of us cared too much.
Working with Dominic had shown me another path, one I was eager to take with him by my side.
Savory landed on my shoulder.The garden remembers its caretaker. The roots sing your name.
I stroke her feathers, feeling the truth of her words settle into my bones. I belonged here. All of me, including the parts I’d been hiding.
Dominic returned to my side, his mother following. Red rimmed Iberia’s eyes, but she smiled my way before turning back toward the eastern path, giving us space.
Dominic pulled me close, wrapping his arms around my waist. “Dance with me.”
“I’m exhausted and covered in dirt and possibly magical residue,” I said.
“Perfect festival attire.” He grinned, already pulling me toward where others danced near the musicians. “We saved the court. We earned this celebration.”
Once we’d reached the others, we danced, not following any particular pattern, just swaying to the music while the emotion-responsive flowers bloomed brighter around us.
“I love you,” he said, loud enough for everyone nearby to hear. “In case there was any doubt.”
“I love you too.”
He kissed me while our court cheered and the flowers blazed with joy.
When we finally broke apart, both breathless and laughing, the gardens had never looked prettier.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
EPILOGUE 1
SASHA
Iadjusted the silk of my gown one more time, watching my reflection smooth the fabric over my hips. The past month had been wonderful in ways I’d never imagined when I’d first arrived at this court. The gardens thrived, emotion-responsive flowers blooming brighter than they had in years. Court members walked through the halls with true joy rather than forced cheerfulness.
We’d sealed the hillside entrance three days after the festival, filling it with earth and stone until no trace of the chamber remained. Only we knew what had been down there. Lady Featherby had sworn to keep the secret.
Dominic emerged from the bathing chamber, fastening the buttons on his formal tunic. The deep green brought out his eyes, and I caught myself staring.
“See something you like?” he asked, grinning.
“Maybe.”
He crossed to me, his hands settling on my waist. “We could stay here. Send our regrets.”
“And miss the celebration your mother spent weeks planning?” I raised an eyebrow. “She’d never forgive us.”
“True.” He gave me a quick kiss. “Though watching you at formal events is nearly as entertaining as keeping you to myself.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but he stepped back, reaching into his pocket. His expression shifted, nervousness flickering across his face.
“Before we go down,” he said, pulling out a folded piece of parchment, “there’s something I need to do.”
My pulse picked up, and I waited for him to speak.
He cleared his throat. “I laughed through my vows at our wedding. I never got to tell you what I actually wanted to say.” His fingers tightened on the parchment. “I wrote them over the days before the ceremony, and I’ve been carrying them around ever since, waiting for the right moment.”
