Ava put her hands on his shoulders. “You’re doing exactly what you should be doing. Protecting our home.”
“But Ididn’tprotect it. They got in. People died. More than half of our crops were destroyed.” He strode to a nearby couch, plopping down with his head in his hands.
Luna jumped onto a chair, curling up for a nap. Titus screeched, launching himself from Ava’s shoulder and out a nearby window the moment he spotted an insect he wanted for lunch.
Ava sat beside Thorne, silent.
“Sometimes I wonder if I’m cut out for this,” he murmured.
“Whoa,” Ava said, grasping his hand. “Thorne…Don’t say that. You are a fantastic leader.”
Fear shone in his green eyes. “It’s times like these I wish Mother was here. She always knew what to do.”
Ava swallowed the lump in her throat. “I know. Every time Ifeel lost…I wish the same. I wish she was here almost every day. But I know she would be proud of you. Look at what you’ve accomplished in all these years. I saw how terrible Father was in Orion’s memories. He was even worse than you had described. You’ve turned this whole kingdom around and people love it here. They feel safe. They feel welcomed. Andyoumade it that way.
“This is ourhome. We aren’t going to let Andras destroy it. You and I will ensure the safety of our people. I will send him back to his realm. Ipromise.” Ava sighed. “You know…I’ve realized you and I do the same thing…You just hide it better than I do.”
“And what is that?”
“We question ourselves. And not necessarily because we think we aren’t capable…but because we’re afraid of letting everyone else down. Did I tell you I almost gave up on the Elderoak journey?”
“No.” His eyes went wide.
“I did. I was so terrified of Andras and Deidamia winning. Afraid I would fail and let everyone down. So I almost let the forest take me because…because I thought if I gave up, I wouldn’t have to face my fears. That it would be easier. But I remembered what you told me. You told me to take my rightful place as fae. You told me we are in this together; that I would never be alone. So I pushed through my fears and made it through. Because of what you and everyone else had said to me.”
Thorne squeezed her hand.
“Now I’m the one reminding you that we are in this together. I’ll do this with you, alright? As your sister, I’ll walk next to you every step of the way.” Ava faced him. “When the world’s burdens feel too heavy and you think you can’t do it anymore, lean on me. I’ll carry it with you.”
Thorne pulled her into a hug. “Thank you,” he said. “Love you, sister.”
“Love you too.”
They sat in a silent embrace, steadying each other as they mentally prepared for the next daunting task. Two siblings raised in a different world, in a different life…but similar nonetheless.
Thorne pulled away and stood. “Come. I want to show you something. I think it would be good for both of us to see it before you leave.”
They entereda clearing among a grove of trees in town. Thorne led her along a brick path and under an archway made of willow branches smothered in brilliant blue flowers.
Ava gasped as it came into view.
The glade was surrounded by a wall of white-barked trees. Their bright green leaves formed a canopy, providing a sense of privacy. Dappled sunlight peppered the walkways made of heart-shaped stones. Names had been carved into each one, with plenty of empty spots for more. Ava knelt, running her fingers along the letters beneath where she stood.
“What is this place?” she whispered.
“A war memorial. A group of citizens decided to build it to give them something to focus on. A beacon of hope during our time of turmoil.”
Ava couldn’t help the tears spilling down her cheeks. “How did they do it so quickly?”
“Why magic, of course. They set up a system for survivors to come and etch their loved ones’ names into a stone whenever they feel ready.”
She sniffled, unable to speak.
“And there’s room to expand if necessary…though hopefully it won’t be.”
Ava stood, scanning the space once more. Benches sat amongst rose bushes for silent meditation, flowers and shrubs arranged tastefully along the paths. And in the center of the space was a small pond covered in lilies.
A whimper left her throat and she placed a hand on her heart when her eyes landed on what was displayed in the center of the water. A statue.
