Epilogue

One Month Later

For several days now, Allarion’s hopes played tricks on his mind. As the landscape rolled around them, he convinced himself he recognized it, that a familiar hillock or stream meant Ravenna’s bower was just a few moments away.

He did remember the path he and Bellarand had taken north when they first left her to the deep sleep. The stark memory was their guide south again, yet as each day passed without finally finding the bower, Allarion’s fears only grew.

Molly was a balm to his agitated soul, soothing him that everything would be all right.

With their little herd of three unicorns, she was well protected, enough so that Allarion could stomach her coming with him. More than once, he’d considered leaving her behind in the safety of Scarborough. Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to betray her trust.

And, he was more than certain she would have followed him on Achaios and Tulare. So then he would have had her along and she’d be furious.

In the end, although he didn’t take a long sleep and guarded his precious mate with the dread-mounts throughout every night, they’d met with little danger. A rushing river swollen with snowmelt and a cagey group of travelers scared off by Bellarand’s horn had been the worst of their obstacles. Other than Molly having to sleep rough and live on rations, their journey was easy.

No earthquakes. No fae knights. Nothing.

It might have been comforting, had Allarion not already underestimated Amaranthe once. The sooner they retrieved Ravenna and returned to the safety of Scarborough, the better for his peace of mind.

That day passed with more hazy memories and a dreadful sort of hope gripping his throat tightly. The surrealism of finally fulfilling his promise, of seeing the end of his mission, added another layer of apprehension. His mind couldn’t quite believe that they approached the end, that for all Amaranthe’s power, Maxim had outwitted her.

When the trees ahead began to look familiar, at first, Allarion dismissed the feeling.

Then, Bellarand’s ears perked.

I think…

Molly turned to look at him and then Bellarand. Atop Tulare, she peered ahead, worrying her lip between her teeth.

“Are we getting close?”

Allarion couldn’t force words past his tight throat.

Yes, his heart and soul cried.

He knew these trees. And as they continued closer, the unmistakable spark of magic burst in little pinpricks across his cheek.

A shudder of relief bowed his back as Allarion passed through Maxim’s wards.

His heart lurched with joy, only for worry to clench it taut again when he looked over his shoulder to see Molly and the two unicorns left on the other side. Her head whipped about frantically, her eyes white-rimmed as they searched blindly for him.

She cannot see us, Bellarand realized.

“Where did you go?” Molly called, panic rising in her voice. “Allarion?”

“Don’t be frightened, sweetling,” he told her, but she twisted in the saddle, her hands wringing the reins.

She cannot hear us, either.

I’m here, Molly.

She gasped, looking forward again.

“Where are you? I don’t see you?” The shrill panic in her voice tore at him.

It’s the wards. Maxim laid many to protect Ravenna in her sleep. I hadn’t thought…

In his haste, he hadn’t considered that Maxim would of course not have set the wards to allow a human inside, no matter who that human might be.

The sight of his worried mate upset him, and he’d nearly urged Bellarand back across the wards when he saw her take a long, deep breath.

You’re all right? Not hurt? she asked, working to calm herself.

We’re just fine, sweetling, I promise. The wards were meant to keep everyone else out, but not us.

Molly nodded shakily. All right. All right. I’ll stay here with the boys.

A groan ripped from Allarion’s throat. He didn’t want to leave her; he never wanted Molly to be out of his sight, especially off the estate. Yet, his promise was a weight in his chest, and so close to completion…

You’re sure? It may take some time to rouse Ravenna properly and get her ready for travel.

I’m sure. Molly nodded, casting a determined frown where she likely thought he and Bellarand stood. You go get our girl.

Goddesses, he didn’t deserve her. His pride was a painful pleasure in his chest to hear her call Ravenna theirs. Although she’d never met her, Molly had spoken of Ravenna with nothing but compassion since learning of her plight. Allarion knew they would be fast friends, and that was just what Ravenna needed after her loss.

Thank you, Molly.

Go.

Bellarand turned for the grove of trees at a trot, bringing them deeper inside the wards. Maxim’s magic hung over the grove like a thick fog, nearly choking. Inside, the air was preternaturally still, no breeze fluttering through the leaves. No birds or other small creatures jumped between branches, no noise from the nearby stream penetrated the wards.

Following the curve of the grove, they soon found themselves before the bower.

It was just as Allarion remembered it, a somber sight that brought every memory of his friend to the fore of his mind. The bower was blanketed in years of pine and leaf detritus, the sweet smell of decay the only scent.

The moss and grasses that had once covered the roof were brown and withered, dried out and dead. Nothing looked out of place, each of the barrels and pots still where he’d left them. Nothing had been disturbed, no footprints in the dirt nor sign of intruders.

Still…

“Something’s wrong,” he murmured to Bellarand.

The unicorn lowered his head, snuffling at the ground. Where is Oberon and the herd? Their scents are faded and old.

Allarion’s throat closed around his terror, and he flung himself from Bellarand’s back, bounding for the bower door.

The heavy oak door creaked on its unoiled hinges, revealing—nothing.

The bower sat empty, the bed unoccupied.

Allarion stared, not believing what he saw, mind unwilling to think what he didn’t see. Numbness overtook his limbs as his hopes plummeted to the ground.

Ravenna was gone.