“Are we all alive?” I asked, watching Chevelle hold Steed’s leg while Anvil removed the hardened ice.
Junnie glared across the field at Rowan’s prone form. “The important ones, yes.”
Grey was making his way up the slope of the ridge, but detoured to check on Sian’s body. Junnie’s arrow had pierced the dark fey’s heart.
“There,” Junnie said as she patted my shoulder. “The wounds are clean. The blades were thin and sharp so the cuts fall right together and, once sealed,” she glanced at Steed’s leg, “will heal well in time.”
Grey kicked a shard of ice as he approached, appearing completely unscathed by the ordeal. Rowan had been slippery, but he’d met his match here. He smiled as Ruby came to join us.
“How is Finn?” Rider asked as he took his turn with Junnie.
Ruby smirked. “He’s the best patient I’ve ever had.” She eyed the lot of us, bruised and bloody, and the mirth dropped from her expression. “He’s had it the worst,” she explained, “because of the poison.” And then she shrugged. “But, lucky for us, Frey was attacked weeks ago and I’ve had some time to study the toxin.”
“Yeah,” I muttered. “Lucky.”
She smiled down at me. “He’ll be fine.”
Anvil passed me a canteen and I drank deep. I would have thought I’d have been done with water for a while, but I couldn’t seem to get enough of it. Eventually, the others gathered in the pines with Rhys and Finn as we prepared to return to the castle. I remained on the ridge with Junnie, where she cradled a small, half-human child.
“Junnie,” I asked, sliding the pendant from my belt, “what do you know of this?”
Her eyes narrowed on Veil’s gift, and I explained his visit and our theory in more detail.
She nodded. “That’s four. The ice and silver you know.” Her gaze came up to mine. “And bone,” she said, “Freya, that’s you.”
“What?” I argued. “Why would I be a danger to myself?”
Junnie shook her head. “It wasn’t a warning for you, Freya. It was the four who could claim the throne.”
“But Asher had more,” I contended. “There were so many.”
“Yes,” she agreed. “But not capable of ascending the throne.”
I sighed. “Okay, then who is the fourth?”
Her eyes stayed on me a long moment, too long, and then we both looked at the child in her arms.
“No,” I moaned.
“Blood,” Junnie answered levelly. “She is of blood, Frey. Half human and Asher’s own child.”
Half human. Like me.
Rowan had burned these woods to find Asher’s baby. Junnie had risked her own life to save it.
And now Junnie’s bright blue eyes peered into mine. Beseeching, daring me, I didn’t know. But I could feel the child, the slightest brush of its mind, and I knew it would live.
When she saw the change in me, Junnie’s posture relaxed, and it was only then I realized she’d not wanted to fight either. She’d not wanted it to be me any more than I’d not wanted it to be her.
“Ah, Junnie,” I sighed, “there’s more.”
Once I’d explained my bargain with Veil, Junnie and I said our goodbyes to go our separate ways. She, with the child, would set the new council into power and restructure the south. And I, with my guard, would rule the north.
“Are you well?” Chevelle asked as he helped me onto my horse.
My brows furrowed. “Yes, I guess I am.”
He shook his head before climbing onto his own mount, and we kicked them up to where the others waited.
It was a long ride home, underneath the graying skies. Finn had been secured atop a horse, Keaton running beside them. Anvil’s previously injured shoulder had been sliced through and patched up so that he tilted in the saddle. Ruby looked tired, but refused to give in, and Chevelle had received more cuts than he’d let on.
I simply had too much time to think.
When we finally made it home, it was late the following afternoon. The eight of us slid stiff and wobbly off the horses, staggering numbly through the stable-side entry. There were a few reports, a couple of called-out orders, and one angry mountain lion before I at last found a bath. I soaked for an endless hour, possibly dozing off near the end, and then slid into a clean, fresh dressing gown.
After tying a loose robe over that, I stretched my arms to test the movement. Junnie had been right. It was tender, but there didn’t seem to be any real damage done.
When I opened my door, I glanced down the hallways to be certain the corridor was empty.
My bare feet slapped lightly against the cool stone as I ran, heading to my favorite perch. I passed two doorways and then turned, suddenly abandoning the plan to stand atop the roof.
I stood before his door for a long moment, staring at the wooded planks. When I finally pushed it open, I saw his silhouette against the filigreed window. I slid the door shut behind me, and walked slowly across the room. My arms wrapped around his chest, cheek pressed firmly against his back as he stared out the window.