The flowers changed colors in the shifting sunlight, sometimes pink, sometimes purple, sometimes blue. Their indescribably sweet scent made Sophie’s head feel clearer, her heart lighter. She had no doubt they truly could heal anything.
The Council invited all the gnomes to come to Havenfield to gather the petals. And while there were definitely tears, there was also a bittersweet celebration. Every one of the gnomes knew the sacrifice Calla had made for them and vowed to honor her memory. Grady and Edaline invited them to visit the tree any time they wanted, and the gnomes joined hands and circled Calla’s tree, singing a song of love and gratitude.
With each powerful lyric, Calla’s tree grew taller, and new blossoms sprouted to replace those that had been harvested.
The Council arrived later, quieting the celebration by reminding the gnomes that they now had a choice: They could remain in the Lost Cities, or they could start a new homeland.
“The ogres hold no threat over your species any longer,” Councillor Emery assured them. “So if you’d prefer to establish a world of your own, we’ll do all we can to support you. The Neutral Territories hold many beautiful places, and once we eradicate the plague, you would be welcome to any of them. We’d also provide any help and protection you require.”
Stunned silence followed.
“You don’t have to decide today,” Councillor Emery told them. “We realize this is a rather large decision.”
The gnomes didn’t need the extra time. They all spoke in unison, shouting, “We choose to stay in the Lost Cities. Our lives are here—and they have always been happy. All we ask is that you promise there will be no more secrets.”
“Agreed,” Councillor Emery promised.
“And for the record,” Councillor Terik added, “we’re honored you’ve chosen to stay. Please don’t ever think of yourselves as our guests. The Lost Cities are your home.”
That triggered a huge eruption of cheers, followed by celebratory songs as the gnomes called roots to carry them away to their regular residences. Grady and Edaline tried to convince the Havenfield gnomes they should take time to rest, but the gnomes were itching to get back to work. Within hours, the animals were bathed, the pastures looked pristine, and they’d built a gorgeous fence around Calla’s Panakes tree.
By evening it almost felt like Sophie had never left Havenfield. The Council even gave her a shiny new registry pendant.
But when Edaline offered to clasp it around her neck, Sophie hesitated. The Council had yet to prove they were truly going to work with her. She had one demand—one she knew they would resist. She had to make sure they’d agree to it before she committed to her return.
Grady didn’t ask questions when Sophie asked him to arrange a meeting with the Councillors at the Sanctuary. He did insist that he and Edaline join her, but she’d wanted them there anyway. She also asked Keefe to meet her there, but decided not to bother the Vackers. They were dealing with enough at the moment. And Dex, Tam, and Linh weren’t really involved.
Keefe was the first to arrive outside the humongous snow-covered gates in the shadow of the great mountain. The smile he greeted her with definitely wasn’t convincing. She noticed he wasn’t wearing his registry pendant either.
“So what’s with all the vagueness and mystery?” he asked.
“I’ll explain when everyone gets here.”
Keefe nodded, but his eyes strayed to the sun, like he was checking the time.
“Do you need to be somewhere?” Sophie asked.
“Still worrying about me, I see,” he said. “I guess it’s good to know the Mysterious Miss F. hasn’t gotten sick of me yet.”
“I’ll never get sick of you, Keefe.”
“We’ll see.”
She noticed he hadn’t actually answered her question.
Before she could press him, he reached into his pocket and handed her a small blue-velvet pouch. “By the way, um . . . this is for you.”
Sophie’s cheeks warmed, despite the biting cold. And when she poured the pouch’s contents into her palm, she found a long necklace, each bead painted with a different flower.
“This is the one you made for your mom,” she said, tracing her fingers over the stunning beads. The intricate details he’d given each blossom made them look like photographs.
“Yeah,” he mumbled, fussing with his hair. “I know you already have a ton of necklaces and stuff, but . . . I wanted you to have it.”
“You’re sure you don’t want to keep it?”
He shook his head.
He still wasn’t looking at her, so she leaned closer and whispered, “She’s not gone yet, Keefe.”
“I know. But either way, it’s yours now. I even made you a new bead.”
He showed her one in the bottom center, slightly larger than the others, and decorated with . . .
“Is this a Panakes blossom?” she asked, squinting at the lacy pink, purple, and blue flower he’d painted. He’d set a tiny crystal on the largest petal, like a sparkle of dew. “How did you know what they looked like?”
“I stopped by around sunrise to see Calla.”
“Why didn’t you wake me up?”