R?ven nodded this time, smiling.
“You know where I live.” I said sheepishly.
It was awkward for a few moments before I spoke.
“We had better get moving soon. The Creeley twins bolted when things started going downhill for them. They might bring reinforcements here.”
Jack and R?ven nodded in agreement and together we set out for R?ven’s home upon Hawthorne’s back for there were still some things within her house that belonged to Jack and I. Not to mention I was wearing nothing but a cloak fastened around me.
We made it to her home effortlessly for many people were too busy looking at the periwinkle blue sky, a sight that had not been seen for many years. Jack himself had never known a day without snow for he had never stepped foot out of Frost Arch. But the snow on the street was melting away and trickling along the gutters. Hawthorne had remained hidden within the forest while we had walked to R?ven’s through the slush.
Once there we ate, packed Jack’s clothes up, and I borrowed a couple of R?ven’s dresses as I had no wardrobe of my own.
Jack and I said our goodbyes to R?ven yet we knew we would see her again soon for she promised to visit every week. Much hugging took place in the forest, and R?ven kissed my cheeks and forehead many times. Clambering upon Hawthorne’s back, Jack and I looked at each other happily. Jack was very excited about leaving Frost Arch, yet I saw fear in his eyes as he dove into the unknown.
“Goodbye.” R?ven waved at us. Jack’s arms were wrapped around my waist. He had never ridden Hawthorne before and was quite apprehensive, “Have a safe journey home!”
“Bye R?ven!” I waved excitedly. Petting Hawthorne and grinning from ear to ear I nudged my heels into his side and we took off into the sky. We waved to R?ven until she was nothing but a speck among the trees down below. The cool air cleared my head. I glanced back at Jack who was simply beaming.
“This is it!” I called to him over the rushing wind.
“Are you sure your family won’t mind?” Jack asked for the hundredth time since leaving Frost Mountain.
I let out a laugh. I didn’t have a care in the world.
“They will love you.” I reassured him, “And you will find work very easily.”
“What will they think of Hawthorne?” Jack questioned.
I thought about this for a moment. What would my parents say to an enormous beast entering their home?
“We’ll see.” I smiled. Who couldn’t love these two? It was impossible.
With the smile still plastered to my face I set off for Mortlock with Jack. Finally, I was going home, and I couldn’t think of a single person I would rather be going with.