Chapter 55 #3
Camryn turns slowly toward her mate. “Mei. You saved her so that we could find each other. So that I could know where I came from.” Her lips curve into a grin, and they both look at Mei with disbelief.
Mei smiles, and when Camryn rises from her chair, Mei does the same. The two embrace, and I can’t hold back the tears that stream down my face. My friend has always wanted to meet her birth family, and while this may not be what she envisioned, it’s incredible.
We may have lost family when we fell into Silverveil, but as I look around the room, new families have been found. For all of us.
Vespera chats with Isolde and Numara, and my heart swells for her, knowing it’s been so long since she’s spoken to another.
Numara tells Vespera about Moira, the sprite council representative from Hollowbrook.
Vespera perks up and decides to travel with Numara to Eldersmoor where she can meet up with Moira before continuing on to Hollowbrook.
It makes me happy to see everyone return to their roots. And while I can’t do the same, I have my new family right here, and that is more than I could have asked for when I fell down that damn ravine.
I look over at Soren and my heart swells in my throat. He’s my family now. He catches me staring and gives me a smile that conveys everything, all the love we share.
The night passes quickly—too quickly. But by the time everyone has either left for the night or stumbled to their room from exhaustion, the weight of the day is heavy on my bones. Soren insists on carrying me to bed, despite my protests.
As soon as my back touches the soft sheets, sleep’s embrace wraps around me. I give my glorious sentinel—my fiance—a sleepy grin before my eyes drift shut. He slides into bed beside me, wrapping me in his arms before we both are pulled into a dreamless sleep.
My eyes crack open at the encouragement of the light streaming through the window. I groan. Partly because I indulged in too much fae wine last night. And partly because my heart is heavy with having to say goodbye to my best friend.
I take my time getting ready, soaking in the tub until the water turns cold. Soren leans against the doorway of the bathing room, doing his best to give me a flirtatious grin, but he reads my melancholy mood.
I’m in a haze as I dress in my leathers, preparing for the long journey home on horseback. By the time I slip into the dining room, tears have already stained my cheeks and turned my eyes cherry red.
Camryn slinks into the room not long after me, and one look at each other has us bursting into sobs. For several minutes, we just hold each other and cry. I feel as though I have just got her back and now we are parting once again.
But I remind myself how much we’ve grown in the past few months. We found partners who cherish and support us. She still means the world to me, but we have new lives that we need to start on our own. And I can’t be more proud of her. My queen.
Pulling back, Camryn wipes her nose on the sleeve of her simple dress. “You better come visit me, bitch.”
I chuckle, wiping away my own tears. “Of course. And you need to come to Riverholm, okay?”
She nods before we hug each other again.
We eat a simple breakfast before she follows me outside.
As Soren is loading the horses with our gear, Arc strides over to where Camryn and I stand. He slides his hands into his pockets and clears his throat. “I wanted to apologize to both of you. For all the trouble and harm I caused you. I owe both of you my life.”
Camryn’s brow furrows as she regards him.
I’m waiting for her to hurl an insult at the icy lord who she loathed for so long.
Instead, I watch a grin spread across her face.
“You know, you’re not so bad. You’ve got issues, for sure.
But you’re not as bad as you believe yourself to be.
” She punches his shoulder, and he glares down at her in surprise.
“Besides,” she says. “Knowing that you have to bow before your queens really helps.” She beams at him.
Arc’s lips twitch and slowly he withdraws his hands from his pockets and makes a sweeping gesture as he bows before Camryn. “I am most grateful for your grace, Your Majesty,” he says as he looks up at her with his icy blue eyes.
She tips her chin, reveling in the sight.
Arc stands to his full height before turning toward me and giving me the same treatment.
“And you as well, Your Majesty.” He rises and places a hand over his heart, his eyes softening.
“Truly, my gratitude for the both of you will guide the remainder of my life—one you gave back to me.”
I grin and nod at him. “I can’t wait to see how you use it.”
Camryn and Caelum stand outside the entrance of the palace as our party of six—Thorn, Olin, Clara, Maeve, Soren, and myself—ride away from the Northern Shadows.
Soren rides beside me, his eyes soft as he watches me glance over my shoulder with blurry eyes. It feels as though I left part of my heart behind. But when I look at Soren, he has the rest of it wrapped up tightly in his loving, protective hands.
He smiles softly at me. “Let’s go home.”
I smile and nod. Home.