Chapter 45
The journey to Mythos is quiet, awkward, and long. Even with Enbarr’s fantastical speed, it’s a two-day journey to reach the front gate. Min will return to assassinating the incorrigible for the guild, and the fae will finish plotting the queen’s demise.
I recall my time in the guild, trying to deduce Rune’s involvement. After the first few hours, I decide it doesn’t matter. Nothing is worth thinking about except for going home.
Now we’re finally here.
Desmond stops Enbarr before Mythos’s gate. He dismounts and opens the carriage door for me. “Are you sure you don’t want us to take you home?” he asks.
Shrugging, I step out of the carriage. His gaze follows me, and the attention makes my skin heat. I pretend I don’t notice the sorrow in his eyes.
“You’d draw too much attention.” The last thing I want is for the village gossips to spot me with fae. Not to mention that they’re future traitors. “I’m staying in Mythos for the night to rest.”
I have more than enough coins to rent a comfortable room. Desmond gave me marks in exchange for some of the lesser valuables I grabbed in the tomb. It was kind of him. Too kind. I don’t want more reasons to mourn him before he’s even gone.
“Will you return to the guild once your affairs are in order?” Min calls out.
“I don’t know.” That cozy cave, the delicious feasts, and the warm banter amongst friends felt more like home than Nettlerock ever has. But all that waits there for me now are memories I no longer want.
As I gaze at the four individuals I’ve trained and traveled with, the strangers who quickly became my friends, I find it’s hard to look away.
Finnian’s bittersweet smile, Auri’s distracted frown as she assesses passersby, and Desmond’s failing mask of ambivalence tug at my heart.
It’s foolish, but I hope they survive, even if it means I’m complicit in the death of my queen.
At least the fae will finally be free if they succeed. All of them. . . Except for Desmond.
A lump catches in my throat.
Desmond reaches into his pack and pulls out a bundle of fabric. He holds it out, biting his lip as if he doesn’t know what to say. Then he sighs. “You saved my life in the tomb. You’ve earned this.”
It’s larger than his hands and appears solid. I hesitate, knowing any gift he gives me will be his last. “You saved mine afterward.” Maybe if I refuse, he’ll have to live, just to give it to me later.
He inclines his head. “Take it. Please.”
Something tells me he won’t let me walk away without it. Nodding, I grab the bundle from him, our hands brushing. A jolt passes through me from his touch, and my stomach tightens. As I place it into my pack, his tensed shoulders release with relief.
Min steps out of the carriage to shake my hand. I pull her into a hug instead. She stands as stone at first, and then pats my back. “Be safe, Cyn.”
“You too,” I murmur.
Auri clears her throat. She adjusts her hooded cloak to ensure it’s covering her ears. “Cyn, keep training in archery. I hope to cross paths with you again and see how much you’ve improved.”
“You know, all this time I thought your name was Sin. S-I-N,” Finnian blurts. “Thought it was a bit unconventional, but I didn’t think to ask.”
Despite the tightness in my chest, I smile. “That would’ve been a bold name, indeed.”
I turn to leave because I don’t know how to say goodbye. As I join the line before the gates, Desmond calls out, “May Danu be with you, Cynthia.”
My breath catches. My hands tremble. But I lack the courage to look back as I hear his footsteps recede to the carriage. The clop of hooves and the squeak of carriage wheels fade, and an unexpected tear rolls down my cheek.
Desmond’s voice is a phantom song through my soul, one I wish I could hear even one last time.