She groaned in satisfaction as the flaky bread—thatshe’dtopped with a cream-colored cheese—hit her tongue. I lifted the side of my mouth up in a sly smile, happy that she was enjoying something of the South’sat long last.
After a moment of us devouring some of the treats in front of us, Aurora paused and simply watched me again in a thoughtful manner.
I quirked an eyebrow at her, letting her knowI’dlisten if she wanted to speak. Taking that as an opening, she placed down the piece of fruitshe’dbeen holding and had a curious look on her face as she asked, “You truly love him, don’t you?”
Realizing she must have been watching me and Byn in the hallway moments ago, I smiled softly.“With everything that I was, that I am, and that I will become.”
I watched as my oldest friend’s eyes softened a fraction at my response. It was like I was finally getting through toher—therealher—not the shell of herselfshe’dbeen for the past couple of months.
“I’m glad you found your place, Viva,” Aurora said gently before taking another bite of the fruitshe’dset down.
“Your place could be here too, you know. Ifyou’dlet it be,” I spoke tentatively, keeping my expression open and my gaze soft. I wanted her toknowI reallymeant it. That she was welcome there.
Sighing, Aurora took a moment to contemplate.
“I’mnot so sure. I uprooted my own life when I decided to leave the North to find you. I left it all behind, and now Iwouldn’teven know where to begin starting over, or if I even could.”
“You could.” I reached across the small table, placing my hand on top of hers. “Youcan.”
Aurora remained hesitant, but she didn’t seem as close-minded as before.
That moment was my chance to help change things for her.
And I wouldn’t let the opportunity go to waste.
I stood abruptly, my wings flaring slightly in excitement as I reached out a hand toward her.
“Come with me. Let me show you something.”
She looked up at me, our eyes meeting, as if she expected my offer to be some sort of trick, or somethingI’drevoke.
I wondered then if she knew how much she meant to me. How muchshe wouldalwaysmean tome.
I grinned as she slowly placed her hand in mine and stood from her seat.
“Let’s see what you’ve got,” she said, her voice sounding a lot like a challenge.
I lead her through The Haven, offering soft greetings to those we passed by—who no longer stared orshiedaway from the presence of wingedfaein the South. They smiled openly and greeted us in return—their queen andher friend.
I guided us toward the front of the castle, where theamountof civilians present was higher. The location I was leading us to was conveniently placed to be the most accessible to the public.
After what felt like ages with nerves eating away at me, wondering howshe’dreact, we arrived at our destination.
The Haven’s infirmary.
I held one of the heavy wooden doors open for Aurora and filed in behindher, butalmost ran straight into her when she paused just a few steps inside.
She was taking in the beauty, I realized,as I watched her gaze drink inthe space.
The infirmarywasjaw-dropping. It had a tall, peaked roof overhead, with hundreds of vines and plants hanging from it—some clinging to the stone of the ceiling itself, and others in small pots stuck to the sides of the roof. Each plant was different, though, and was something Chess’s mentor had begun with just a handful of different vines. Since Chess took over as Byn’s royaltrokav, though,he’dadded dozens and dozens more. He or one of his fellowtrokavstended to them daily, ensuringthey were healthy. The plantsweren’tonly to make the spacemore lively, though. Each one had a purpose, whether it be something thetrokavscould’veusedto help heal somebody, or just a type that they could put next to patients’beds.
Aside from the masterfully crafted garden above, the infirmary had enough space for well over one hundred patients—if they squeezed a bit. There were rows and rows to our right of small cots, all of which were mostly empty aside from the folded bedding on each. Deeper inside, there were more spaces for patients that offered more privacy, if they needed it. Such as when loved ones had to say goodbye.
Fortunately, the team oftrokavsChess had left in charge while we were journeying to and from theOcreinIsles had managed toclear out almostall ofthe remaining patientsstillpresent after the Battle of Shadows. They had been the ones that had been hurt theworst, andneeded the most time and hands-on care.
I explained all of this to Aurora as we stood just deep enough in the space to see each section as I pointed them out. Just as I was about to dive into the tall windows that allowed sunlight into the giant room and helped brighten patients’ days, Chess caught sight of us. He stood to the left, opposite the rows of cots, where his main workstation was. It looked like he was grinding an ointment together as he headed over to us with the mortar and pestle still in hand, mixing nonstop.
“Hello! Iwasn’texpecting you today, Viva. Aurora.” Chess dipped his head toward both of us respectfully. “To whomdo I owe the pleasure?”
