Page 142 of Song of the Dark Wood

“I’m so glad you’re okay,” Rowan whispered, brushing Conor’s hair back from his forehead. “It’s a good thing you love me.”

“I’m not the hero, love. You are,” Conor laughed.

“Ugh, I’m glad we won and all, but you two are becoming insufferable,” Charlie griped beside them.

Rowan grinned and kissed Conor again before turning to face Sarai. Her friend gave her a questioning look, but she just waved her hand, encouraging the new Crone to address the people.

Sarai turned to the crowd. “Be well, be well, all. I am the Crone of Ballybrine, and I’ll be taking my rightful place once and for all as the voice and scribe of the Mother’s scriptures. The elders are no more. The power of prayer has been given back to you, the people. I will be here for counsel and to hold the weekly Gratitude and Grieving Ceremony, but the rest of your devotion belongs to you. We’ll return to the old ways.”

It was exactly as they’d planned. Sarai turned and took Conor’s hand in one of hers, the Crone Mother’s in the other.

“Behold a new deal between gods,” Sarai continued. “The goddess above—the Crone Mother—and the god of death—the Wolf. They hold the balance between them. The keys of life and the keys of death. Both are important. Both agree to uphold the balance; to seek no more than the necessary power; to keep us all safe from threats both living and dead.”

She met Rowan’s eye, and Rowan nodded.

“Our last Red Maiden is gone. The passage of the dead will be managed by the god of death and Lady Rowan Cleary. Together they will lead the souls of the departed to rest,” Sarai said. “As long as you believe you’ll have protection and peace.”

The people murmured among themselves before several of them folded their hands across their hearts and held their hands out in a sign of reverence. Several fell to their knees and bowed their heads.

“The fight is over. The Dark Wood will recede to its former borders, and as long as you stay steady and faithful, we will thrive together,” Sarai said. “Please, if you can spare the space and resources, we have new refugees and people who need shelter while we rebuild.”

The people nodded faithfully and pushed forward to brush their hands over Sarai’s and the Crone Mother’s and, to Rowan’s surprise, hers and Conor’s as well. Conor looked stunned by the recognition, and she supposed it made sense. For the first time ever, the people saw him not as a monster but as a necessary balance in their world.

Rowan studied her husband’s stunned face as the people murmured their appreciation. After a long while, the crowd dispersed, and people turned back to town to rebuild and take in the new refugees.

As the crowd grew thin, her eyes fell on Cade. He walked toward her, pausing tentatively a few feet away.

“I’m really sorry, Row,” he whispered. “I wanted to tell you what I was for so long, and even more than that, I wanted to save Aeoife.”

Her demon friend looked uncharacteristically emotional.

“She was a sweet girl, and I miss her already,” he said.

Rowan nodded, blinking away tears. “I’m sorry that you didn’t get what you hoped for.”

“It’s all right. There are worse fates than being what I’ve always been. I just feel bad for letting you down. Do you think—” Cade swallowed hard. “Do you think we could go back to being friends? I know I don’t deserve your trust, but I miss you.”

Rowan knew she needed to forgive him. It wasn’t his fault he couldn’t save Aeoife from an angry mob.

“Love,” Conor said, placing a hand on her back. “It can be very compelling when someone offers you a way out of the pit. Perhaps give him another chance.”

Rowan frowned. “Magnanimous of you.”

All of them did their best, and still, they’d all failed in their own ways. It cost them all something, though it cost Aeoife the most.

Rowan nodded.

Conor took a step toward Cade. “I’d like to extend an offer for you to join my reapers. It wouldn’t make you good, but it would make you neutral and give you something productive to do with all your energy.”

“I’d be honored,” Cade said.

Conor placed a hand on Cade’s forehead, and a soft blue glow flowed from his hand into Cade’s skin. A swell of hushed whispers rose as a blue aura formed around him. His eyes glowed a pale blue color before settling back to their usual hazel.

“Charlie, you’ll show him back and get him settled?” Conor asked.

Charlie nodded and led Cade away from the gawking crowd.

“I’m tired of being stared at. Let’s go home,” Rowan whispered, leaning her head against Conor’s chest.

---