Page 79 of Crown of Wrath

She had always been the perfect noble’s daughter—graceful, demure, careful. But now… now she looks free. There’s a brightness in her eyes I’ve never seen before, a confidence that wasn’t there when I lost her. She stands taller. The nervous edge she used to carry has been wiped clean from her frame. Even her body has changed to become curvier, more assured. Somehow, I know it isn’t just time that did this to her.

I don’t realize I’m staring until she speaks.

“Maeve,” she says, sparkling laughter in her voice. “You can’t hit Brenna.”

“That’s your mother,” Da agrees.

I want to argue. I want to be furious. I should be furious because I was sure they were dead. But how can I be angry when they're here?

Part of me wants to embrace them, to hold them so tight they can never disappear again.

The other part is afraid that this is all a cruel trick and they'll disappear as soon as I touch them.

I stare, my breath uneven as my emotions war inside me. Hazel’s different, but Da—Da is exactly the same. The sparkle in his eyes, the way his mouth curves just slightly at the corners. He feels right. He feels real.

Then I don’t have a choice because Hazel closes the distance in two steps and pulls me into a tight embrace.

I freeze. Then, slowly, I let go.

It feels exactly the same as when she hugged me in Blackgrove. A ragged breath slips from me, and I barely notice the tears that fall.

They’ve been here all along. I didn’t have to lose or mourn them. We were all just too stupid to put the pieces together.

“I thought you both died.” The words come out hollow and thin compared to what I should feel. It doesn’t seem real. I’ve lost my father twice. I nearly shattered when they both disappeared into the mist. How can they still be alive?

Hazel’s grin softens, turning thoughtful. “Isn’t it better that we didn’t?”

If they’re alive, then everyone is alive. My friends. My family. Aerwyn. Blackgrove. Everyone.

Hazel’s expression shifts as she senses my confusion. Her eyes harden and her voice takes on a strength I’ve never heard from her before. “Be happy, cousin,” she says, and for a moment, I see Aunt Prudence in the firmness of her gaze. “This place is good. It’s better than Blackgrove, and almost all of Blackgrove is here.” She tilts her head. “And your mother is wonderful, so maybe you shouldn’t punch her anymore.”

I blink at my cousin.

Hazel has never told me what to do.

She's never spoken with this kind of confidence, this kind of certainty. She's always been soft and gentle. Now, as I look into those deep brown eyes, I see a woman who knows what she wants. I see a woman who isn’t afraid to say it.

A hand settles on my shoulder, grounding me. Da.

“I’m sorry that you were hurt because we came here,” he says gently. “I… I’ve missed your mother. And when I heard her voice, I couldn’t stay away.”

I meet his eyes, and something in my chest loosens.

For the span of half a breath, I consider being angry. I could be, but the feeling flickers and dies before it can take root because I understand.

I know what it’s like to be bound to someone. If Cole had been in the Nothing, lost to me for twenty years, I would have run straight into it too.

Of course, Da couldn’t stay away. Of course, he had to go to her. I let out a slow breath and offer him the barest smile. How could I ever blame him for that?

“You couldn’t have come and told me?” I ask. “I’d have loved to see mother, too. And Hazel.” I look pointedly at my cousin.

He shakes his head, and I hear my mother say, “I wouldn’t let them leave. The world is too dangerous. They’re humans, and both of them have the House of Earth bloodline. I had no way of knowing if Gethin had put the pieces together. I needed them safe.”

Her voice is soft, but there’s a strength behind it. It’s exactly how I’ve imagined her. The Immortal that fell in love with a human. I turn on her. “You couldn’t have sent anyone?”

“Who?” she asks. “And where? The only way I found your father was because I knew about Aerwyn, and I guessed you would take him there to keep him safe from Draenyth after you pulled him from the void. Then, the Prince took you away, and I couldn’t sense you. You were nowhere. It wasn’t untilthe soldiers began dying that I realized what was happening. I waited until there were enough soldiers that I was sure you’d come, and you’d be too busy fighting to realize I was here. Luckily, it worked.”

I stare at her. Her broken nose has already healed, and out of the corner of my eyes, I notice Casimir and Cole watching. “You could have sent someone out. I would have trusted anyone from Aerwyn to tell the truth.”

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