Chapter 96
The Scholars
ONE WEEK LATER
Awarm breeze blew through Drystan’s valley, the first blades of wheat shimmering in waves. Evelyn and Kade had broken the curse seven days ago, and already, Sorin flourished. No Void stood to the north, and Lorkan swore he spied the glinting ever trees and their silver leaves.
Above, the sky bled a bright blue, and late spring storms rumbled closer to the mountain peaks. Birds bobbed in the air, their song as joyous as the celebrations overtaking the continent.
Nothing compared to the occasion of witnessing Fjall Pack return to their family and loved ones, though. Lorkan had accompanied most of his pack members to their respective villages, saying his goodbyes as they started a new chapter themselves, where everyone called all of Sorin home.
One of the last of his pack stood at his side, glacier-blue eyes focused on Thorn Village, situated straight ahead.
“You’re usually the one with words, Alvin,” Lorkan said.
The edges of his friend’s lips twitched. “Just soaking in the sun is all.”
But Lorkan detected the uncharacteristic apprehension in Alvin’s tone. “It’ll be alright, you know?”
Alvin released a large huff. “If it’s not?”
“There will always be a home somewhere in the Vadon Mountains for you. As your best friend, I’ll make sure of it.”
“Best?” Alvin snorted. “Can’t wait to tell Mya. She’ll be so jealous.”
Lorkan rolled his eyes. Their vampyr-witch friend had decided to remain in Nūa and help with efforts deconstructing the Wall. Lorkan had also heard rumblings she might act as an ambassador for witch and vampyr relations, and his heart swelled at the prospect.
“Thank you.” Alvin tore his gaze away from the village. “For everything you did for me and the others.”
“I should be thanking you,” Lorkan said. “Your friendship kept me going, and also,” he grasped his friend’s shoulder, “don’t sound as though this is goodbye. I expect you to visit Fika.”
Alvin smiled. “So, you asked her?”
“Not yet.”
“Aye, but she’ll say yes.” His friend winked.
Lorkan was counting on it.
The village gates ground as a grove of werewolves left before sunset.
“There she is,” Alvin whispered.
Ahead, a female werewolf with the same light hair and piercing eyes emerged from the walls of the village. She led a mule as it pulled a cart full of supplies. As if sensing Alvin and Lorkan, she peered east and halted on the path.
Alvin took a step forward, and after a tentative and cautious reunion, love and time brought the brother and sister together in a tight, endearing hug.
Lorkan left his friend with a broad smile on his face. Thanks to recent events, Lorkan shifted into his werewolf form. Under the sun. In front of others. And traveled back to Fika, where he was to meet his mate.
Snow didn’t cover the rooftops of the quaint town anymore. Colors ranging from plum to crimson to evergreen painted the rooftops. Festive wreaths had been swapped for ones bursting with spring flowers. Lorkan inhaled the place’s charm and rallied his nerves.
Blair stood outside Sages and Spines, inspecting the intricate window display. Lorkan paused, taking in her breathtaking beauty for a moment.
With her curls free, she wore a relaxed chestnut-colored button-down shirt tucked into a crimson skirt, held in place by a thick belt. More relaxed, more her than ever before. Too, she’d not stopped wearing the crimson lacquer on her lips, and thank the stars above, because it suited her.
Rook announced his arrival, snapping Blair from her perusing. She smiled at Lorkan, and he couldn’t believe how much light had truly surfaced with darkness now defeated. His mate’s smile was certainly one of the things that shone brighter.
“Good evening,” she said in greeting.
Lorkan planted a kiss on her lips, savoring the taste of her, no matter how quick. Dust clung to her skirt’s hem and dotted her shirt.
“How was your day?” he asked.
Blair shrugged. “We’re on schedule to remove the last stone tomorrow.”
Efforts to restore and rebuild after the war had rushed across the continent, but Nūa was actually endeavoring the opposite.
Thanks to Blair’s suggestion and leading charge, witches had started tearing down the Wall separating the city from the rest of Sorin.
Of course, with no threat to darkness, demons or scáths, the practicality of the structure no longer existed.
But Lorkan understood Blair’s true intentions. The witches would enter this new chapter open, not hiding behind stone.
Blair sighed, straightening the collar of his enchanted tunic. “Why are we in Fika exactly?”
Lorkan swallowed, taking her hand. “There’s something I’d like to show you.”
Amidst the evening bustle, they moved northbound through the current. Restaurants opened their doors, the scent of frying river fish traveled on the wind, and the string lights between buildings twinkled on.
At the end of the street, a small cottage, no longer covered in overgrown vegetation, awaited them.
Marigolds overflowed from window boxes, and the sage-painted door didn’t match a single one on the street or the next block, complementing the copper details running against the whitewashed stone.
He’d spent the last seven nights restoring it, thanks to some help from Mya and Evelyn.
The assistance of magic had done wonders.
“It’s . . .” Blair trailed off.
Through the window, shelves lined the first room, bursting with books. She turned to him, expectant, and curiosity rushed down their bond.
“What exactly is this place?” she whispered.
“Well, it’s mine. I bought it ten years ago.” Emotions grew thick in his throat.
Her eyes widened. “How’d you manage that?”
“Endless shifts at the Sheild-maiden,” he laughed.
Lorkan stared back at the cottage, soaking in their reflection in the window. “It was meant to be ours, though. A place we could come together as we pursued our work in our own cities.”
“And now?” Blair studied him with her fathomless midnight stare.
“It can become our home. You’re now a member of the Nūa council, and I’m focused on opening Vísdómr to not just werewolves, but witches and vampyrs. Though our callings are across the continent, it doesn’t mean we need to be.”
Blair stepped closer. “I see.”
Lorkan’s heart raced inside his chest. “I can understand if, giving the timing and what it once represented, you’d like nothing to do with it but . . .”
Lorkan dared a glance in Blair’s direction. He didn’t cheat and check her emotions down the bond. He wished to see them rippling across her face, good or bad.
Tears glistened in her eyes, and she stood on her tiptoes and gave him a kiss. Light and sweet. A warm breeze snaked down the street, tingling with her magic.
“Are you asking me to move in with you?” Blair asked, a smile playing on her lips.
“Yes, I am.” He kissed her chin. “What do you say, Blair Carson?”
She shrugged, taking his hand and dragging him closer to the door. “It is perfect, but I’m not sure. Perhaps I need a proper tour inside. Convince me, Lorkan Drengr.”
His wolf awakened in his blood, and he smiled, not hiding the fangs that unsheathed after the haughty promise in her tone.