Realising that William must have shared at least some of what was happening with his wife, Alex’s heart warmed at the concern and love she felt radiating from the two of them. Bear’s family—Alex had never met more caring people in her life. From the wizened Gammy, to the tech-savvy Johnny and the quick-witted Blake—Alex adored them all.
“Things could be better,” she admitted, not wanting to lie to them, “but we’re still hopeful for a positive outcome.”
She was careful to be vague, not knowing exactly how much to share—especially since the last time she’d seen William, the king had just ordered her not to seek out the other races. Bear’s dad or not, Alex wasn’t willing to risk forcing his law-abiding hand.
… Not that he didn’t already know. It was pretty obvious Bear didn’t break his leg by falling down the dormitory staircase.
“I wish I could offer you some good news,” William said, “but unfortunately the mission I was set hasn’t yielded any results, either.”
His words were just as vague as Alex’s had been. But she nevertheless understood what he was saying: the Shields had found no evidence of Aven’s plans.
It wasn’t as if Alex had expected Aven to shout his intentions from the rooftops, but still. Her aim to rally the mortal races would be much easier if there were even a shred of proof that the threat she warned of was real. Not to mention, imminent.
“There’s still time,” D.C. said quietly, answering for Alex.
William dipped his head—whether acknowledging her words or bowing his respect to the princess, Alex wasn’t sure.
“We have a surprise for you all,” Dorothy said, attempting to lighten the mood.
Grateful, Alex watched as both Jordan and Bear perked up, and she shared a knowing—and amused—glance with D.C., since there was only one thing that could so quickly animate the boys.
“Please tell me it’s what I think it is?” Jordan all but begged.
“GAMMY’TH APPLE PIE!” Evie lisped in a shriek, causing Soraya to yelp with fright. The little girl quickly petted her on the head and said, much quieter, “Thorry, doggy.”
At least Alex wasn’t the only one to think of the wolf as a normal, domesticated canine. Even if that put her on the same page as a six-year-old.
“And here I thought I couldn’t love any of you more,” Jordan said, leaping up to help Dorothy unveil the pie from her bag. It was already cut into slices—one for each of them—and Alex’s mouth watered when she was handed hers.
“You’re welcome here anytime,” she said, moaning after her first bite.
“Seconded,” Jordan said around his mouthful. “And thirded, fourthed, fifthed, and on to eternity.”
“I doubt Bear would appreciate his overbearing parents ruining all his schooling fun,” William said, smiling as he looked at his son.
“If you come bearing pie each time, I can guarantee there’ll be no complaints,” Bear said, closing his eyes with contentment. “It doesn’t matter how many times I have this, it just gets better and better.”
“The magic of Gammy’s baking,” Dorothy said. “A wonder in its own right.”
A wonder, it was. And Alex enjoyed every delicious bite.
Too soon their visitors decided it was time to leave—mostly because Evie curled up and fell asleep right beside Soraya—and Alex and her friends began to say their goodbyes. Hugs were exchanged along with well wishes for Bear’s swift recovery and pleas for them to all be careful in the coming days.
Alex, for her part, made no promises, but she did offer assurances that she would try her best.
“I’ll be in touch if I hear anything,” William said solemnly to Alex as together they moved towards the door. “I won’t give up—so don’t you, either.”
Alex had no intention of doing so, but she was still encouraged by his declaration. That he believed her, that he believed in her—it bolstered her spirits after the hard weekend she’d endured.
“Thank you, William,” she croaked out, wrapping her arms around him in one final hug. “That means a lot.”
He squeezed her tightly and then let go, moving to embrace Bear. He whispered something that no one other than Alex would have been able to overhear, three simple words offered from father to son and filled with such emotion that Alex had to blink back tears.
I love you.
Looking away, Alex took a moment to compose herself before turning back and waving Bear’s family from the room.
One day soon she hoped she’d get to enjoy their company without the threat of Aven looming over them. She dreamed of long summer days spent with them in Woodhaven, exploring the forests surrounding their family home and enjoying the delights of the sleepy village and all its inhabitants. She dreamed of a time when her own parents could leave the safety of the Library, experiencing the wonders of Woodhaven—and the rest of Medora—right along with her. That was what she had to look forward to. That was the hope she would hold onto in the coming days.
Because that was what she was fighting for.
Freedom for those she loved—and for all of Medora.
Jordan and Bear took off not long after the Ronnigans left, leaving Alex and D.C. to scramble together their homework for the next day and then finally bunker down into their beds.
Just as Alex began to drift off to sleep, a growl from Soraya was the only warning she received before there was a flash of light and she was suddenly yanked from her bed—and from her room. She found herself lying in the middle of a rocky, desert-like valley, the sun only just beginning to set, as opposed to the fully dark sky she’d left back at Akarnae.
Leaping to her feet, Alex whispered, “What the hell?” as she spun around once, twice and still couldn’t figure out what had happened.
“Be at peace, child,” came a familiar voice as a figure appeared in front of her. “You’re safe here.”
With wide eyes, Alex said, “Lady Mystique? What—How—What—”
Her stuttering was interrupted when, in a burst of shadows with spears of lightning, Soraya appeared at her side, teeth bared as she growled at Lady Mystique.
With an overjoyed clap of her hands, the ancient Tia Auran cried, “Ooo-ee, look at you!”
Alex had never seen the old woman so excited as when she kneeled and opened her arms. Nor did she expect her protector wolf to suddenly stop growling and instead give a happy yap and do a running jump into Lady Mystique’s hands.
“Some protector you are,” Alex muttered, but Soraya was too busy licking Lady Mystique and being lovingly rubbed down to pay her any mind.
“This is a welcome surprise,” Lady Mystique told Alex, indicating to the puppy. “She will serve you well, Alexandra.” Her ancient eyes looked down to Soraya as she finished, “But for now, young one, you can leave us. I mean your mistress no harm, and I will see that she returns safely to your side.”
After a quick flick of her amber eyes to Alex as if making sure what the old woman said was true, Soraya disappeared in another explosion of shadow and light.
Frowning at the spot where the wolf had just been, Alex said, “Niyx thinks I’ll be able to travel with her when she’s a bit older, but I don’t fancy being electrocuted in the process.”