Chapter 30

Sunlight floodsthe bedchamber through the windows on the east side of the room, bathing everything in a warm golden glow. I follow the beam of light as it travels across the stone floor and up the far wall, illuminating a shelf near the window.

I pull away from Jasce and walk to the shelf, where I spot the seashells he gave me when I was in Lyra's body. My drawings and favorite quotes sit next to them.

"I thought you might want them," Jasce says as he moves to stand next to me.

"Thank you."

I walk to the nearby armoire next and yank open the doors. My cotehardies hang inside, vivid splashes of azure, violet and emerald. Beneath them sits my worn leather satchel, brimming with books, brushes, and other personal effects.

I shake my head in wonder. After I vanished from his life without explanation, he still took pains to collect anything that belonged to me and preserve them until my return.

Gratitude thrums through me as I turn to him. He stands tall, hands clasped behind his back, but there is warmth in his gaze as he looks at me.

"You kept everything." My voice thickens with emotions as I continue. "Even after I disappeared."

"You were coming back," he says. "It was only a matter of time."

"Thank you," I say again, hoping he understands how much this means to me. How much he means to me.

"I want you to be happy with me, Annora."

"I am."

His hand finds the curve of my cheek, and he lifts my face up to meet his. "I see your sadness."

Jasce's tender words pierce my heart. He's right. Beneath my gratitude, sadness lurks like a shadow I cannot outrun.

"I don't mean to seem ungrateful. I just miss my sisters so much." My legs tremble as I sink down onto the plush bed.

Jasce sits beside me, patiently waiting as I find my voice again.

"We've scarcely been apart since we were children." I wrap my arms around myself, as if I can physically hold the pain at bay through sheer force of will.

Jasce reaches for me and pulls me against his broad chest. "I know you miss your sisters, and I will do everything in my power to change things for our houses, so that you can see them again."

"I know you will." I relax against him and allow his words to wrap around me and bring me hope.

Soon, my sisters will be able to move between our houses freely. The bitter feud that has divided our families for generations will finally end, and peace will unite our land.

The day is coming when Asha and I will be together again like we were as children. We'll walk hand in hand along the white sand beaches, collecting seashells while the waves crash and swirl around our feet. I can almost hear her delighted laughter on the sea breeze. Almost feel the warmth of her palm against mine.

I refuse to believe anything else is possible. One way or another, we will have peace, and my sisters and I will be reunited.