Quinn approached next and wrapped her arms around Ava’s waist, laying her head on Ava’s shoulder. “I thought…” she said through her tears. “It was like my sister all over again…”
Ava shushed her, squeezing her tight. She’d never seen Quinn cry. “It’s okay. I’m here now. It’s over.”
She held the prickly warrior who had become her dear friend. Told her how she remembered Quinn’s dagger when she fought Andras. How her words had helped Ava when she thought she might fail.
After a good twenty minutes of reunions and celebrations, hugs and tears—all while Casimir remained within arm’s reach—she searched for one more person.
There he was.
Still on the ground, numb and staring off into space. As if he was in so much shock he couldn’t rise.
Ava approached, kneeling before her brother.
“Thorne,” she whispered.
He looked up. They lunged. A heartbreaking sob burst from Thorne’s lips as he pulled her close. Crying and holding each other, there were no words to express their emotions, their relief. Ava settled her head on her brother’s shoulder, closed her eyes, and cried. How far they had come since she first walked into that throne room, since the day she arrived in Mosshaven.
Her brother. Her last living relative.
“I saw mom,” she said.
His lip quivered. “You did?”
“Yes.” She wiped at her cheek. “She told me to tell you she’s proud of you. And she loves you. And she’s always watching you. That you’re an amazing king and she couldn’t be happier for you.”
Thorne nodded through his tears.
“And she also told me to tell you to hurry and figure things out with Quinn because she would make a fantastic queen.”
He laughed, tears streaming down his face.
“I remember when I used to dream about you,” he said with affection.
“And I dreamt of you.”
“And now, it’s over,” he whispered.
“It is.”
And the two siblings held each other, laughing and crying over their victory. Everything they had worked toward. Every battle, every training exercise, every meeting. Every sacrifice. Every death. None had been in vain. Because all had been for their home. Their world.
For Eorhan.
Casimir stood by,watching Ava and Thorne hold each other through their tears, wiping his own from his cheeks as he reassured himself of her safety. Only minutes ago, she was lifeless in his arms. He would never be able to get the vision of her death out of his mind. Would never forget the way it felt within his soul when she faded.
But now she was back. Alive. Crying and hugging her loved ones.
All because of his brother.
Scanning the crowd, he searched for the blond prince but didn’t see him. As if he’d disappeared.
A hand landed on Casimir’s shoulder. “He went that way,” Raine said, pointing. “Go. I’ll keep an eye on her.” He hesitated, meeting his friend’s blue-gray eyes, still wet with tears of relief. “She’s safe. Go do what you need to do. I’ll tell her where you are.”
Though he didn’t want to leave Ava, he knew he needed to do this. Before Jareth went back to his kingdom. Heading in thedirection Raine had indicated, Casimir trudged through the woods, searching for his brother.
It wasn’t long before he came upon a hidden grotto. A small waterfall tumbled down the rocky hillside, ending in a pool of shimmering cerulean water where pink fish darted in the blue depths. Dragonflies skimmed the surface and bright orange flowers hung from vines in the trees.
Jareth stood facing the pond, his back to Casimir.
