52. Epilogue

Epilogue

C irrus flies high above Selene, taking in row upon row of soldiers awaiting orders. He flaps harder, racing toward the castle.

The star suite comes into view, and he swoops past the balcony into the wide-open doors. The room is empty.

He hops around on the bed a couple times, listening. Perhaps she's with the blond one—the one they call Eoin.

He takes off again out the balcony doors, this time noticing the braided sheet rope dangling from the balcony. He soars high and banks left, bending the corner of the castle and rounding himself toward Eoin's room.

Landing softly on a gargoyle, he peers through the window at Eoin and a younger man who looks just like him. They embrace and smile at one another.

Cirrus flaps in the window, but doesn't gain their attention. After flying past several nearby windows and confirming they're all closed, he returns to the gargoyle and peers into the window again. Eoin and the boy's facial expressions and gestures seem less jovial.

"You're right," Eoin says. "Who cares if she has another suitor? A little competition never scared me away." Eoin hops up and strides through the bedroom door.

Cirrus flies along the side of the castle, peering through windows. He follows Eoin all the way back to the Star Suite and lands on the balcony. Eoin enters the room and freezes.

"No," he whispers. His eyes scan the room and land on the note atop her pillow. He rushes to it and reads it, shaking his head. The note drifts from his hand as he stares out the window, a deep, sorrowful expression settling on his face.

August rushes into the room, followed by Ciaran and Mads. His eyes land on Eoin, and he balls his fists. "Where is she?"

"She's gone," Eoin answers with a monotone voice.

Cirrus hops closer, trying to gain a better viewpoint.

"Mads, send your top men out in teams of two, but make sure they don't approach her. Until we find her and know more, I just want to make sure she stays safe."

"She doesn't want us to follow her." Eoin raises his voice at August without an ounce of fear in his voice.

August clenches his fist and lets out a slow exhale through his nose. They glare at one another like two eagles fighting over territory.

Cirrus flies in through the balcony and flaps wildly in August's face and Eoin's face before landing on the bed.

"Ciaran, send word to Raynor." August continues giving orders. "Let him know we are at war with Helios and are seeking his support. Don't disclose any information about Bronwyn. I don't want anyone else out there looking for her."

"They'll think we attacked unprovoked." Ciaran's eyebrows furrow.

"We will take that risk for now," he says, and Ciaran nods. "Send ravens to every city in Selene and tell them to prepare for war. I'm going to take more than his eye for this."

Cirrus flaps wildly in August's face again.

"Go back to Charlotte!" August growls.

Cirrus drops a single sprig of juniper on Bronwyn's bed and departs.

"It's okay, Cirrus." Razenna's voice in his head is distant and pained. "Hopefully, she told Eoin or August the sign before she left."