How had he found her? Should she open the door?
Ella drew in a shuddering breath and summoned her courage.
She pulled the door open.
Ella stepped out, walking down the steps to stand in front of the cottage, and she knew that to the newcomer she’d appeared as if out of thin air.
Killian yelped and jumped backward as he saw her. He was nursing his hand, which it seemed he’d burned trying to get past the gate.
Ella touched her hand to the red part of her hair. It was a few shades lighter than Killian’s fiery color.
Killian looked at her in astonishment. Ella spoke a word and the gate swung open to allow him through.
“What is this place?”
“It’s Evrin’s sanctum,” Ella said. “You wouldn’t believe—”
“I’ve looked everywhere for you,” Killian interrupted. “I’ve searched far and wide. If you didn’t have to eat,”—he shook his head—“I would never have found you.”
His expression was filled with raw emotion, and seeing him like this filled Ella with fear. Yet there was another emotion curled up within the fear, struggling to break free.
Ella hadn’t seen him since Sentar’s defeat. He’d left immediately to do what he could for the city, and after using her new abilities to help wherever she could, Ella had followed her own path.
Ella knew Killian had his love, Carla, somewhere in the city, a woman Ella had no desire to meet. She knew he hated her for the relationship she’d had with Ilathor. Back in Seranthia, before Sentar’s arrival, Ella had thought something could work between them, but now Ella didn’t want to be close to anyone. The pain wasn’t worth it.
“Killian . . . I—”
“Ella, don’t talk; just listen. I know the life you’ve had,” Killian said. “I’ve had the same life. We can’t always have the best childhood, but when we grow up, we’re given a chance. We can start all over again. We get to form our own family, and this time we can get it right.”
Ella felt tears form in her eyes, and she sought escape. She looked back at the house and then at Killian again. His blue eyes burned with feeling.
Killian stepped forward and reached out to touch Ella’s lock of red hair. “We have to take a chance. You and I were meant to be together. Do you know another word for chance? Fate.”
“How do you know?” Ella whispered.
“Know? I don’t know it, I feel it.”
“I can’t. I’ve lost—”
“I know,” Killian said. He held out his hand. “You don’t have to be alone anymore.”
Ella looked into Killian’s eyes, and suddenly all thoughts of Evrin’s sanctum left her.
“Come with me,” Killian said, still holding out his hand. “Please.”
Ella made her choice.
She stepped close to him, and she felt his larger hand enfold hers. She followed Killian through the gate, and it shut behind them with a soft click.
The knowledge could wait.
Ella and Killian walked together up the winding path, strolling through the streets of Seranthia, past the markets and down to the docks.
At first they walked in silence. Ella opened and closed her mouth several times, but she didn’t know where to begin.
With a feeling of terrible sadness, Ella realized she’d nearly broken her promise to Rogan. She’d said she would talk, but she’d done what she always did and fled to knowledge. She owed Rogan more than that.
As she and Killian reached the water’s edge, both staring out over the still expanse of glistening ocean, Ella finally began to talk. She told Killian about the true nature of her relationship with Ilathor, and he told her about what had happened with Carla.
Ella shared herself, and Killian listened, just like he had when they first met in Sarostar on the banks of the Sarsen.
For hours Ella and Killian simply talked, watching the sun fall down toward the horizon and seeing the first stars come out at night.
Finally, as the warm summer breeze blew across the rippling water, the reflected stars saw the couple standing close together, sharing their innermost feelings. Ella summoned every reserve of her courage to do something she’d never done before.
Ella told Killian she loved him.
73
High above Seranthia’s harbor, a small park spread to the edge of a low cliff. It was the perfect place to watch the stars come out, with a view of both the docks and the sea. A long bench of worn wood with a high back sat close to the drop, and there were people sitting on the bench, drinking in the view.
Miro stretched and then leaned back against the seat, before something caught his eye.
“Look who it is,” he said.
Miro pointed to a place on the edge of the docks where two people stood together, looking out over the water, huddled close as they spoke. One was a man with fiery red hair that reflected the lights of the city and the stars. The other was a slender young woman with pale hair cascading down her back, shining silver in the evening light.
Miro watched as Killian put his arm around Ella and she placed her head against his shoulder.