Epilogue
HAILON
Life in the glade was more lovely than it had any right to be.
Seir quickly fell into a smooth pattern with his job, and I even got to meet his brother Tap several times while they got the portals set up to their liking. Coltor was initially grumpy about the changes happening within the castle ruins, but once he realized he could leave for prolonged periods, his mood changed dramatically.
“Sheets, towels, knives, dishes,” Seir listed off, then kissed me soundly on the mouth before heading for the door.
“I know.”
“You’ve been unsuccessful at bringing home those things the last several times you went to Revalia. We’ve been moved in, with running water and a fire in the hearth, for weeks.”
“Because I was too busy healing children and the elderly,” I reminded him. “Or visiting with your family. Testing my powers. Checking on Ophelia. Besides, all the things we used on our journey are still perfectly functional.” And a bit sentimental, if I were being honest. I needed to make a trip to see Widow Callahan soon too.
“Make our house a home , Hailon. I beg you. If you don’t choose some things soon, you’re going to come back from doing all your good deeds to find I’ve purchased mismatched everything. The couch and rug are just the beginning. It’ll be paint and cabinet knobs. Tables and bedding. You might love it, but you might hate it so much you leave me. I’d never survive that. Please, save us both from such a terrible fate by taking this pouch of coins and spending it .” He shoved a purse overflowing with money into my hands. “Sheets, towels, kniv?—”
“Get to work,” I teased him, leaning in for one more kiss before he dashed out the door.
I wasn’t far behind and took the portal straight to d’Arcan like I had started doing with regularity. My stomach still spun every time I went through the device, but I was beginning to understand why Seir enjoyed them so much.
Today, however, instead of going inside, I met Coltor in the courtyard.
“Greetings to you, Hailon.”
“Hello, Coltor. Are you ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.” We were headed to Ophelia’s today, so he could consult with her about a talent he’d started developing. What that was, I wasn’t privy to, but I was her most frequent visitor lately, so I was asked to be his escort. He held up my repaired little horse carving. “This is for you.”
“Coltor! Thank you very much.” I stroked the golden hooves before putting it in my pocket. “I’ve missed him terribly.”
The large stone kin shrugged. “I was glad to have a project for a couple of days, nothing of consequence.”
He held the gate for me, and we walked out into the city, starting down one of the main roads.
“Are you glad to be away from the ruins?”
He shook his head. “I am, but it’s very difficult to be around this many people all at once. Even the conclave is too noisy. I didn’t realize how much I’d adapted to the quiet.”
“I can understand that. It’s incredibly peaceful there. We aren’t bothering you, are we?”
“No, no. You’re good neighbors.” He kept a very small hut right inside the bounds of the ruins themselves, and we rarely saw him.
“Would you like to fly ahead? I’ll walk as quickly as I can.”
“No, that’s alright. I promised to keep an eye on you.”
“Oh, you did? Who did you promise?”
“Who didn’t I promise,” he grumbled. “Everyone at d’Arcan reminded me, as did your mate. You even have my father and sisters ensuring your safety.”
“I think I feel a bit offended. I can take care of myself just fine.”
He snorted. “We all know that, Hailon. Make no mistake.”
I forced my steps to move twice what they normally would, taking a route that wound around the outer edge of the city instead of going through the middle.
My magic flowed out around me, touching a child with the sniffles here, a man with sore joints there. I let it soothe their hurts, pulling from what had become an almost endless well thanks to living at the glade.
I’d set up a couple of clinics dedicated to helping those who needed it, but also saw no reason not to sprinkle some aid wherever I went if I could. On the flip side, Magnus had called me into the council once, and I’d been able to incapacitate one of the oldest members while he was interrogated, taking away his ability to shift and holding it over the well. Nobody had been the wiser. Between my dedicated practice and obsidian items, I was settling into confident use of my powers.
Something that never would have been possible had I stayed in Ravenglen.
Soon enough, Coltor and I were crossing out of the east gate of the city, silent as we moved ever closer to the Dread Forest and Ophelia’s hut.
The wards pressed in like they always did, Coltor frowning as they hit him.
“Maybe we should have Ophelia come help at the ruins,” he suggested. “These hit like a boulder. Mine seem weak in comparison.”
“She doesn’t leave here. Trust me, I had the same thought.”
As we came around the corner, I stopped mid stride. In the side yard of the hut was a horse. A big one, with familiar markings. “Jacks?”
The horse nickered, but didn’t stop his ruthless pruning of Ophelia’s overgrown grass.
The door of the hut opened, and a smiling Merry stepped outside, along with a laughing Ophelia.
“Hailon!” Merry dashed forward and hugged me.
“Merry? What are you doing here?”
“Ravenglen was no longer the place for me.”
“Did something happen? Are you alright?”
She shook her head. “I’m fine, I’m fine. Nothing like that. I just want something more for myself than working at the grocers and cleaning hunting lodges. I remembered what your man said about Revalia. But Jacks decided to have a mind of his own once we got close. Nothing I did would deter him from coming here.”
“Hello, nephew,” Ophelia said, greeting Coltor.
“Greetings, Ophelia. I brought you some salted licorice.” His hand trembled a bit as he handed over the paper sack of candy.
Ophelia smirked. “Appreciated.” She looked to me. “Did you need my help today, Hailon?”
“No, I’m doing very well with my control, thank you. I just walked here with Coltor.”
She nodded, looking the much larger man up and down. Meanwhile, he was unabashedly staring at Merry. She, on the other hand, was pretending not to notice and looking at me.
“Alright then. Take your friend into town, would you? The horse is fine here.”
I nodded, and accepted Merry’s arm as she threaded it through mine.
“Be good, Jacks,” she warned. “Nice to meet you…”
“Coltor.” He dipped his head and awkwardly shoved out a hand for her to shake.
I barely contained my laughter, especially when I met Ophelia’s twinkling eye.
“We’ll be back later.”
Coltor looked bereft, like us walking away was removing his safety net as Ophelia took him inside.
“You can help me do some shopping,” I said to Merry, “while you tell me everything.”
Today looked promising as the day I brought home linens and kitchenware. We might have another neighbor in the glade soon who’d need use of our handed-down supplies.
I couldn’t wait to get home to tell Seir.