Chapter 93 Serena
SERENA
“If we limit our stops, we should make it back in time for the coronation,” Zadyn says as we head toward the antsy purple giant nestled inside the forest.
From the corner of my eye, I spot the Blueblood witchlings ogling Kai for a third time.
Only now, they look sad. Kai glances over his shoulder as the huddle spits out a witch from the center.
She stumbles and locks up as if she’s just been tossed out to the wolves—blue eyes wide and terrified as Kai’s gaze lands on her.
“I’ll catch up,” he mutters.
None of us moves. We can’t help but watch as he walks up to the girl, who has now certainly stopped breathing.
He tucks a rogue strand of blonde hair behind her pointed ear and leans in.
I don’t know what he whispers to her, but her entire face transforms into something bright and beautiful as he bends to plant a kiss on her cheek.
Tipping her chin up a degree higher, he stuffs his hands into his pockets and saunters back to us, smirking down at his own footsteps.
“You know you just made that witch’s life right?” I ask, watching her friends swarm her with a rush of excited squeals.
“I know.” Kai’s tone holds no arrogance as he waves at them one last time.
They shouldn’t have to live this way. They shouldn’t have to hide. To be confined to this place, deprived of adventure, love, life. They shouldn’t have to choose between their homes, their magic, and the outside world.
It isn’t fair.
“Marideth?” We turn to see Calliope jogging toward us. She stops before her daughter. “A word before you go?”
Mar’s feet remain planted, Dover quietly snarling beside her. Calliope’s stern mask softens a fraction. “Please.”
Mar waits one more moment before stepping away with her.
I reach up to pat Furi’s side, and her tail goes wild, its spikes kicking up dirt as it thumps against the ground.
“I’ve never seen one in the flesh,” the Matron murmurs, awe coloring her voice. She peers up at Furi, whose leg alone is twice her size. Furi’s head swings down, her green eyes slowly blinking, as if bestowing her gratitude on the Matron for her help.
“She likes you,” I say to her. “And she’s usually a pretty harsh judge of character, so that’s quite the compliment.”
The Matron offers me a proud smile and lays a crinkled hand against Furi’s leg.
“I don’t know how to repay you for what you’ve done. For giving him back to me.” My eyes slide to Zadyn, hauling himself up Furi’s spikes to settle into the saddle. The Matron turns to face me.
“As I said, it was an honor to serve my queen.” Her head dips in reverence before she moves to turn away. I rush to stop her.
“Can I ask you something?” She waits with patient eyes. “If it seemed like the entire world was shouting at you—telling you to do something you know in your heart can’t be right—telling you not to do something, but you know you must, what would you do?”
“Nature is rarely ever wrong, dear girl. But then again, hearts are never misleading.” She takes hold of my shoulders and leans in.
Dropping her voice to a whisper, she says, “I think you know deep down that the harder you run from your fate, the faster it catches up to you. You have no reason to shy from it. Turn and face yourself. Face the world that needs you to make it a better place.”
She pulls back, her bony fingers squeezing my arms one last time before releasing me.
My mind flits back to those witchlings. I think of them—think of Mar—having to choose between their homes and their lives. And it makes me want to fight for them.
To fight for those who can’t fight for themselves.
Suddenly, this role I never asked for, the one I have resisted and avoided, feels like an honor. And even though it scares me more than anything has in my entire life, I feel overcome with gratitude. Acceptance. Determination.
One day, I will fix this. I will make this world safe for them. Because I don’t think anyone else will.
Or can, a small voice whispers in my head.
“Well, child,” the Matron says as Mar makes her way back to us, “it would seem this is goodbye.”
She holds my friend at arm’s length, staring up at her with pride.
“I promise to stay away this time.” Mar tries to smile, but I catch the wobble of her bottom lip. She throws herself into her grandmother’s arms and holds fast.
“If we never meet again in this life, I will assume you are well and happy.” The Matron’s eyes close, savoring their embrace. “One last thing.”
She pulls back and slips a hand into the pocket of her skirt. “That thing you showed up here wearing was a monstrosity. This was given to me by your grandsire, gods rest his soul.”
Taking Mar’s hand, she places a thick silver band inlaid with a round sapphire on her middle finger.
“Grandmother, I can’t accept this—”
The Matron leans in and kisses her on both cheeks. Then she sweeps her thumb over Marideth’s forehead, murmuring something under her breath.
Mar gasps, clapping a hand to her mouth as her eyes fill with tears.
“I fear you’ll need it one day soon.”
“Thank you.” She throws her arms around her grandmother’s neck, nearly knocking her small frame over. “Thank you.”
“What was that?” I ask when Mar finally drags herself away.
“My magic.” She breaks into a grin as tears glide down her ivory cheeks. “She gave it all back.”