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Chapter 25

As she had done many times, Liana sat at the table in her bedchamber attempting to ensure Darien’s safety. If rumors were true, and King Stephen’s son had actually died, she hoped and prayed that was the death she’d foretold. Darien must be safe. She would know if he had been killed, would she not?

Instead, the runes offered only hints, and none of them were new to her. Sighing, Liana nearly finished her reading and her breath caught, her fingers brushing against the final rune—a sign she’d seen only rarely, but always with consequence.

The stone’s markings spoke of change, a profound shift, something that would alter Darien’s path irrevocably. She frowned, noting the dark, jagged lines forming around the rune that symbolized his bloodline. Fates twisting in unexpected ways, roots breaking, and . . . loss.

Her stomach clenched as the vision sharpened. She could see a figure—noble, resolute, with a presence that cast a shadow over Darien’s life. And that shadow, she realized, was fading.

“Liana!”

The knock at her door was so loud, she jumped from her seat. Putting the runes’ meaning aside, Liana ran to it, knowing before she opened it somehow.

They were back.

And Darien was alive. She had felt his anguish just then, reading her runes.

“They are back,” Evelina cried. “Their riding party was spotted in the village, coming this way.”

“Do we know⁠—”

“Nay, we do not. Only that they return. Hurry.”

Liana ran to her runes and, putting them inside the leather pouch her mother had given her as a child, she tucked it away before joining Evelina. Together, as it seemed many of Castle Blackwood’s inhabitants were doing, they made their way down to the hall and into the courtyard that had served as her home. Winter had arrived in truth, the cold, gray day reminding her that she’d forgotten her cloak.

It mattered not. As they stood among the others—recruits all chattering among themselves, continuing to speculate about Eustace’s death—she looked for one man.

“Do we see them yet?” Elara asked, joining them.

“Nay.” Evelina peeked above the others, but they could see nothing.

Liana knew the moment their party entered the courtyard. While she still could not see them, cheers began to rise from the men around them, recruits from all across England who had made Castle Blackwood their temporary homes as they risked their lives for the future of their country they believed in.

“There they are,” Evelina said as, one by one, the faces of the twenty men who rode out to Castle Wallingford came into view. Still mounted, Liana could see them clearly now. Sir Eamon at the lead, but no sign of the others.

Until . . .

“I see them,” Elara cried. Liana had spotted all four men, together, bringing up the rear, at the same time. She nearly broke out in tears spotting Darien for the first time. She could not take her gaze from his face. He was looking through the crowd, and finally, after what seemed like an eternity, their eyes met.

At that moment, Darien dismounted, the first to do so. She could no longer see him, but a moment later, she realized why. Darien stood in front of her. His arms wrapped around her in an embrace unlike any other. She held onto him, never wishing to let go.

If anyone thought their embrace odd, none commented on it. By now, Gareth and Alden had dismounted as well and reunited with Evelina and Elara, though she did not see Roland or Amalia anywhere.

“To the hall,” she heard Sir Eamon’s voice say above the crowd. “An announcement.”

As the others began to move, they did not. Darien had not let Liana go yet, and neither did she wish for it. “I would kiss you,” he said. “But do not wish to cause further scandal.”

Darien did pull back then to look at her face, as if memorizing it.

“Further scandal?”

“Further than the one that will ensue when we return to Ely and I make you my wife.”

It was only for a moment, but his words sank in quickly. Liana’s eyes widened.

“We can determine a path forward together. I cannot see the future, as you can, but know mine is with you by my side. I love you, Liana, and never wish to be parted from you again.”

I love you, Liana.