Ava pulled away, lip quivering. “I miss you. I miss you so much…”
Her mother smiled at her with pride, wiping the tears from Ava’s face. “I know. But I am so incredibly proud of you. I knew you’d be able to do it. My sweet, strong, little bird.”
“Did you know? Did you know who he truly was? About the rest of it?”
Her mother shook her head. “No. I found out when you did. I’ve been watching you.”
“You have?” Ava whimpered.
“Yes, my dear. I’m always watching you. We all are.”
“What do you mean ‘we’?”
Ava’s mother extended her arm, gesturing behind her. More people appeared. People who’d been lost or killed in the war. People Ava recognized. Zeph walked forward, her blue hair bright against the white mist. Ava let go of her mother and approached her former guard, pulling her into a hug.
“I’m sorry,” Ava whispered, thinking back to the day she held Zeph’s hand as she died. When Pax broke down over her body. “I’m so so sorry.”
Zeph shook her head, pulling back. “Don’t be. I knew what I was signing up for when I joined the trip. I’m so proud of you. I remember the first day you arrived and hobbled to the suite, glaring at Casimir’s back as if you could set fire to him with your eyes.”
Ava laughed through her tears, holding Zeph’s hands in hers. “Pax misses you. It almost broke him.”
“I know. But he’s strong. He’ll be alright.”
Another person stepped forward. Aelerion. Her heart stopped.
The boisterous king grinned at her, his yellow eyes bright. Ava walked toward him and clutched his hands. “Oh Aelerion,” she whispered. “I tried to get to you…I couldn’t stop it…”
“I know. There was nothing to be done. Death happens in the throes of battle. All of us were prepared for it. I’m sad Thalia will be without me, but she’ll be just fine.”
Ava nodded again, unable to stop her tears.
“It’s too bad I won’t be around to put Orion in his place. I’d like to see that bastard knocked down a peg or two.”
Ava couldn’t help her smile.
“Ava! Princess Ava!” A scratchy voice yelled. Ava whirled around.
At the sight of her hobgoblin friend, she collapsed again, her vision so blurry she could hardly see him. He ran forward, throwing himself into her arms. Unable to control her weeping, she held him tight.
“Remy…oh god, Remy. I’m sorry. I didn’t save you. I tried…I couldn’t…”
He pulled away and placed a green hand on her face, his giant eyes wet with his own tears. “But I’m here now. With my parents. Yes yes yes. It’s okay. Everything’s okay.”
“But what about your brothers?”
“They’re sad. But they’ll see me again someday.”
Ava started crying again. “I’ve missed you…”
Ava could hardly fathom the thought of what Casimir and the others must be feeling. Didn’t want to acknowledge it. But at least she would be with some of her loved ones. And she tried to take solace in that…though her heart broke just the same.
“I’ve missed you too, my friend. I surely have. But you’re not supposed to be here. Nope nope nope.”
“What? What do you mean?”
Her mother placed a hand on her shoulder. “Not much longer now.”
“I don’t understand…” Ava frowned.
