The child’s mother shushed her, the resemblance between her and her children unmistakable. “She’ll be remembered, Briar. The brave Manor, savior of Baile.”
“Evelina is dead?” a familiar voice demanded. It was Willow, her eyes wide.
“Here,” Evelina rasped, her throat scratchy and sore. She could barely hear it herself.
The little girl—Briar—pointed toward the village center, where piles of ashes trailed into the road. “A blinding light exploded from her and she turned those scary creatures into nothing more than ash.” Her voice was young but strong.Unafraid. “But the light didn’t hurt us. It wrapped around us and kept us safe.”
“And Evelina?” Willow demanded, her voice cracking. She cleared her throat. “She didn’t make it?”
Briar shook her head, her eyes dropping to the ground. “When the light spread, she disappeared with the rebels too.”
“I saw it too,” a man behind Willow called out. “They all disappeared into thin air, like they had been consumed in the rising sun.”
“It can’t be…” Willow muttered.
An Aegis soldier laid a hand on her shoulder. “We’ve already checked for survivors. We would’ve at least found her body by now, but it seems…” His eyes trailed to the ash around them.
Willow gave a curt nod and stalked over to Khaline. She jutted her chin out to the beta Rider who rode with them. “I’ll get word to the palace. Oversee the aid and report any findings to me after.”
No. They couldn’t leave her here, couldn’t tell her family she was dead.
“I’m here.” Evelina’s voice broke. She was too weak, helpless as a stranded bird.
Surely she hadn’t done as the little girl had said? Her light had never hurt a single soul, not even a bee—let alone reduceallthe rebels to nothing more than ash in the wind. She could shield herself and one other person at best.
But her memory was fuzzy. She remembered Briar’s bravery in protecting her siblings and how much she wished she could protect them. It was an instinctual feeling, just like when the arrow had flung by her on patrol. But this was bigger—almost unfathomable—and she couldn’t wrap her mind around the possibility that she had really done it.
She needed to get to the palace, to tell them what had happened. She shook her head and winced, the movement causing pain to splinter behind her eyes. Whatever she had done, it had drained her completely.
The Aegis would patrol beyond the village soon to check for any lingering rebels, and she needed them to hurry. Because she was alive—had survived and prevented whatever massacre the rebels had intended on Baile—and Willow was on her way to the palace to tell everyone that she was dead.
Forty
Daimon
It wasan agonizing walk to the throne room, each step like striding over hot coals. Daimon stalked in with Willow beside him. Carwyn was standing at the back of the room, where a large, imposing tree rose from the floor and bent across the ceiling. The two thrones made of its woven branches and roots were empty. Senna and Keir sat at the rectangular oak table, already discussing strategy. Daimon took his seat next to Keir.
Eventually the council filed in, along with Annora, and sat at the table.
He tried to avoid looking at Annora, who came in with her parents. Annora was Evelina’s closest friend. Seeing Annora’s grief so clearly displayed on her face would make it feel more real. Would make him remember the way her eyes would brighten when he caught glimpses of her in the healer’s cabin. Would bring the painful memories of how curious and wild she was—too untamed and bright for this war-stricken world.
It would be hard to find a person that Evelina hadn’t touched in some way. Even now he felt taunted by each painting that reminded him of her, each person in this room who loved and admired her in their own way. This was her home; it was as if her ghost already filled the palace.
Daimon cleared his throat, emotion so thick that he felt trapped. Stifled. As if the walls were closing in on him.
He should’ve come back sooner. Should’ve returned years ago and told her the truth. She had grown to become as brave as any Rider, and more beautiful than the stars. Even with it being so long since he had last seen her, he knew the moment his eyes landed on her during that meeting.
His thoughts spiraled into memories of her, into all the things he couldn’t help but notice the last few weeks. She still had the little crinkle between her brows, and her eyes… Blessed Divine, her eyes. Bright, curious, and the perfect mix of green and brown. That perfect hue he might never get to see again.
He never should’ve stayed away as long as he had. He should’ve pushed his shame aside and told her what happened with Nyx the day it happened.
He should’vebeen herefor her.
Carwyn stood with her back rigid. Her face remained as cold as stone. The only evidence of pain were the tears still falling down her cheeks. It wasn’t until the doors to the throne room opened and the rest of her siblings filtered in that she started to shake.
Seretha slowly rose to her feet.
“What’s going on?” Ren demanded. His eyes flicked to Daimon briefly.
