Page 140 of An Archer's Reckoning

A hurt expression entered his eyes. “You don’t trust me to keep a secret?”

“Kee, I can’t trustanyonewith this secret. Without the binding, you could be Compelled to reveal what you know. Some could even pluck it from your mind. This is too important.” I sucked in a deep breath. “I know this sounds crazy, but I need you to trust me now. You’re the older brother, but I’m the senior when it comes to magic.”

Keelan snorted. “You think?That’s an understatement. How long did we think you were a harmless Mute? I miss those days.”

“Kee!”

“Just teasing, almighty Mage.” He grinned. “Fine. Do what you need to.”

I gripped Keelan’s hand and closed my eyes. A moment later, my tunic flared, then dimmed. I opened my eyes, nodded, and words poured out.

“I met our mother.”

Keelan’s brows bunched, then raised.

His eyes widened.

Both hands scratched at his scalp.

He stood and walked a few paces away, then slowly turned back toward me.

“Ourmother?” His hand refused to fall from his mouth.

“You might want to sit for this. It’s a long story.” A mischievous smile spread across my lips. “You might need a drink when I get to the part with the talking owl.”

Chapter 59

Declan

As I stepped out of Larinda’s house, a wave of tropical heat and salty air assaulted my senses. I tipped my head back, laughed, and sucked as much of the ocean into my lungs as I could hold. It felt good to be back on the island.

I had intended to head straight to the Well’s hidden cavern, but Larinda insisted I remain in the village for at least a week of feasting and celebration.

If the people of the island treated me as a conquering hero and a brother returned from certain death, they practically worshiped Ayden.

Bringing him bore too many risks to count, but in my heart, I knew it was right. The Well’s magic would keep him from remembering anything beyond the village and her people, but still . . .

I’d expected a stern scolding from Larinda when I showed up with him by my side. I’d even prepared a speech for her, listing all the reasons Ayden deserved to join me on this return,and swearing to safeguard his memory—or wipe it—should the Keeper wish it so.

But the old woman had simply wrapped him in her spindly arms and kissed his cheeks.

Oh, she ruffled his hair, too.

No one with flaming red hair had ever set foot on the isle, and every villager, including the Mother of them all, was fascinated with his pale skin and the freckles they claimed mirrored the night sky’s constellations. I walked in his shadow by the end of that first day.

No place in the world felt so much like home as the tiny village of Rea Utu.

As expected, the villagers offered more than feasts and songs.

They shared tears, grief, and open arms. The island sheltered its people from the horrors of the war, but they felt Órla’s death more deeply than anyone could, save her Bond-Mate.

I had never before known such shared grief—nor had I witnessed comfort offered so freely.

The people of the island truly were one.

Ayden and I stood at their center as love and compassion flowed in waves as enduring as their beloved sea.

They restored my soul.

---