‘Get some sleep, OK?’ Bisma said, kissing Nori and Deeba. ‘It’s been a long day, and Forrie needs you all to be at your strongest so it can recover.’
‘What about you, Baji?’ Mei asked, coming to give Bisma a hug.
‘I’ll make some more bushes to keep the workers away.’ Bisma tucked Mei’s silky hair behind her ear. ‘I’ll be home soon, promise. Now give me a kiss, and off you go.’ Mei kissed her cheek, and Azalea and Luna settled for blowing kisses before skipping into the Forest and taking the path home.
When they had gone, Bisma and Xander reinforced the poisonous bushes along the border of the Forest as best as they could, until they were both exhausted.
Then they sat down against a great walnut tree, resting. Moonlight shone above them, its milky white light illuminating their faces as soft wind rustled the remaining leaves on the trees. The night was cold, but as long as she was with him, she felt warm.
‘I’ll speak to my uncle,’ Xander said. ‘I’ll stop him from doing this. And I’ll have Mother speak to him, too—I don’t know what’s gotten into him to be so blinded by greed.’ He ran a hand through his hair, clenching his jaw. ‘I’m really sorry for all of this.’
‘You have nothing to be sorry for.’ She kissed his cheek. ‘How do you feel about all this? I know you and your uncle are close …’
‘I feel …’ He released a long breath. ‘Sad. Really sad, to be honest. It will be a loss, but I cannot keep my ties with him after all he’s done.’
‘I don’t want to pit you against him,’ Bisma said, feeling badly.
‘It isn’t your fault,’ he said. ‘It is his, entirely.’ He stood, offering her his hand and helping her stand. ‘I should go and speak with him now, though I dread to do it.’
She held onto his hand, squeezing. ‘Speak with them tomorrow,’ she said, voice soft. ‘I don’t think the workers will come back tonight, so hopefully we’re safe for now. You deserve some rest.’
‘You’re right.’ He ran his free hand over his face, rubbing his jaw. ‘I can hardly think straight. I suppose I should go, then—let you get some rest as well.’
‘Stay here,’ she said, not letting go of his hand. ‘Stay with me. I want you to.’
The Forest had accepted Xander now, and anyway, even if it hadn’t, it was too weak to cause a fuss. Xander looked at her as though she was a wonder.
‘I’d like that,’ he said, cheeks pink. ‘I’d like that very much.’
Hand in hand, Bisma led Xander home. Together, they walked up the steps of the quiet treehouse, which was finally full again. The candles were blown out. The girls were already asleep. She listened to the sound of their breathing, to Nori’s snores, before leading Xander up to her room.
Once there, she lit a candle, setting it down on her desk. Then she released a long breath. She was tired, but more than that, she was worried.
‘What’s going to happen?’ she whispered, turning to Xander.
‘Hey,’ he said, pulling her into his arms. He held her as if she was something precious.
Melting against him, she inhaled the sweet spice of cloves, comforted by the familiar scent. Her hair was twisted up in a knot, held together by a twig, leaving her neck bare. His nose grazed her skin, sending a shiver down her spine. She relished the feeling.
‘Everything is going to be alright,’ he whispered against her ear. ‘I promise.’
‘Is it?’ She pulled away, looking at him.
He took her hand in his. ‘Build your home here,’ he said, holding her hand over his chest. ‘In my heart. Where you will always be safe, warm, and loved. That is my vow to you. I am forever yours.’
Her heart overflowed. Even though there was still danger out there, here with him she felt safe, like everything would be alright. The world was so much better because he was in it. She wanted to keep him close always and forever.
‘Can I tell you a secret?’ she asked, her voice soft. She slipped her hands up from his chest up around his neck, holding his face.
His hands came around her waist, anchoring her. ‘Always.’
‘I love you,’ she said, looking deep into his beautiful eyes. His breath hitched. ‘Truly, deeply, madly. I thought I knew what love was until I met you and you expanded the very definition of the word, as if you were the one to invent it, this tailor-made emotion just for me.’
‘Bis, I love you, too,’ he said, pulling her closer. ‘I’ve been waiting for the right time to say it, but I’m glad you’ve said it now because I could hardly wait another moment without telling you. You’re the very best thing I’ve ever known—you’re pure magic.’
Warmth spread through her, filling her with starlight. She felt so lucky to know him, luckier still to be known by him.
She lifted her face and he pressed his lips against hers, kissing her deep enough that she felt it in her bones. She opened her mouth against his, tasting him.
