Her arms wrapped tightly around her waist as she counted the trees they passed. She didn’t stop until she reached one hundred and ten—when her breathing evened out and her heart didn’t squeeze as tightly.
Gloriana occasionally looked over at her, her eyes filled with worry. But a healer knew loss. It might not lessen the weight of each one, but they all knew it nonetheless.
Five
Evelina
She plantedher seeds beneath the oak tree, one for each who had died.
Today, she didn’t linger. Instead, she floated through the small lunaria garden in Lilium Glade. Their silvery coin-like pods glowed against the setting sun.
She sat on the ground in the center of the shimmering plants. The tallest ones were higher than her head and left her tucked away in the safety of nature, hidden away from the world.
The glade made her think of Daimon, of all the times she hid away here with him. She hadn’t seen him since they were children, and now could pass right by him, not realizing it was him.
Of course, she didn’t know what she would say even if shedidsee him.
She grieved in silence and focused on a game she’d always played. Daimon had taught it to her when they were children—for when she needed an escape. It wasn’t a complex, thought-provoking game. But she could play it anywhere, anytime.
“A game of pretend,” he said one night. Carwyn had just scolded Evelina for wearing the wrong shoes again. “For when I’m not here to give you a dream.”
“Isn’t that just daydreaming?” Evelina countered with a raised brow, but it was her eyes that gave her away. The glimmer of interest that came to life in her gaze when he was near.
“This is just for us,” he said with a grin, his hair long and mussed from running around Nox Grove all morning. “Something no one else can have.”
Evelina opened her eyes, flustered by the memory.
Letting her mind wander to these things was easier than thinking about the deaths of those she couldn’t save. Easier than knowing the rebels were getting closer to the palace. With her family being targeted and her people killed, the thought of the rebels growing stronger was terrifying.
“I know you’re here, Evelina.” Annora’s light and gentle voice called into the garden.
Evelina could already hear the soft pad of boots against the dirt. Flowers rustled and shook, disturbing some of the butterflies that had stopped to rest on them. Annora’s bright eyes and slender frame appeared. She sat down in front of Evelina, and her hands fidgeted, her fingers tapping against her black gown. Silver stitching had been woven into swirls across the skirt.
“Did you hear about the attack?” Annora whispered.
Evelina reached out and grabbed her hand. “I went with Gloriana and Lorene. We tried to—” She took a deep breath. “I’m so sorry we couldn’t save them.”
And she was. Sorry that no progress had been made, that the war was dragging on for so long, and for all the lives lost.
Annora gripped her hand back as fiercely as Evelina held hers. They sat in silence together, not needing to fill the quiet with small talk. What was left to say?
Instead, they sat in the comfort of each other. Together in their grief and frustration.
Annora pulled her knees to her chest and picked at a blade of grass. Evelina watched her quietly.
“I’m starting to get why you and Daimon always came here as kids.” Annora gestured to the flowers around them. “I forget how quiet the world can be sometimes.”
There were other larger and more ornate gardens in the glade. This one was small—forgotten. But for them, it was a place of hope and tranquility, without worry or interruption.
“Evelina, I need your help,” Annora said abruptly.
Evelina immediately nodded her head. “Anything.”
Annora took a deep breath. She was never one to shy away from being honest or saying something that would make others uncomfortable—that was one of the reasons Evelina trusted her so much.
“The autumn equinox is tomorrow night,” Annora whispered.
Evelina nodded again. The autumn equinox was sacred. Cherished. It was the night soulbonding ceremonies were held—when two mates decided to accept the soulbond.
