Page 79 of Turret

The garden whispered amongst itself as if consulting on the matter, its speech too soft and quick to be understood.The wish’s power is strong enough to be specific in the way it alters your curse.

He didn’t even hesitate. “Gemma.” He turned back towards me, his look adoring. “If I can but see her…then it doesn’t matter that I won’t be able to see anything else.”

I sensed the garden’s approval at his request.The wish’s power is strong enough to allow you to see the woman you love…and one more. Is there another thing you wish to always be able to see?

“Our children…when we have them.” He blushed and gave me a shy look, which I returned with a joyous smile, my heart swelling at the thought of such a future with Quinn…should my health allow it.

I felt the garden’s consent and started to reach to pluck the fruit for Quinn, only pausing when a fierce wind blew around us, the garden’s sudden flare of resistance.

It must be given.

The breeze blew again, this time more gently, and snapped a piece of golden fruit from the tree to hand to Quinn. He kept one hand wound securely through mine as he reverently accepted it with his other. For a moment he simply cradled it in his palm, tracing his fingers along its surface with a look of wonder, as if he could really see it.

He started to raise it to his lips but paused, hesitant.

“It’s yours, Quinn,” I said. “I truly want you to have it, to be granted at least a small portion of sight.”

He smiled gently. “The most precious portion.” And he took a bite.

My gaze remained riveted to him as he chewed, not wanting to miss the moment the magic worked. And just like losing the last of his sight had been like the setting of the sun, this time it was like witnessing the arrival of a new day. The fruit’s golden glow seemed to rise up like a sunrise to fill his eyes, and when it faded…

His breath hitched and his eyes widened, filled not with the blank look that had previously been there but one of recognition, and with it I knew he could see me. He reached out to trace my wide smile with his calloused fingertip.

“Gemma…”

His touch moved to cradle my face, where he caressed my features in the way that had grown familiar, as if he were still looking at me through them…even as his eyes hungrily caressed my face with a look like he’d been granted food after an endless famine.

“Gemma…” His voice was thick with emotion.

My smile widened even as my heart swelled. “You can see me?”

“Yes, and even a little bit of the world around you. You’re even more beautiful than I remember; my memories didn’t do you justice. How I’ve missed you.” His touch lowered, just for a moment, and he gasped sharply. “And you’re gone again, swallowed by the darkness. It’d be too cruel if such magic only lasted long enough to give me a glimpse of you before robbing me of you once more.”

The magic will last forever, the garden assured him.But it can only do so much against such a powerful curse; you must be touching her in order to see her.

A mischievous glint entered Quinn’s eyes even as his lips quirked up. “Excellent, another excuse to touch you, Gemma.”

I wrapped my arms around his waist and tipped my head back so that I could witness the moment when he could see me again; the joy that lit his expression as he took me in made it impossible to miss.

“I’ll never tire of it,” he murmured.

“Nor me.” I snuggled closer. “What a beautiful gift from the garden. What shall you do with it?”

His tender expression became serious. “As wondrous as this is, it changes nothing…while also changing everything. To be blessed with the opportunity of seeing you everyday…” His hand stroked my cheek and I leaned against his touch “With this new sight, I now have everything I need. I lack for nothing, Gemma, for you and our future family are my life now. Truly. I will happily serve as your husband and apprentice, as the Royal Carpenter, and soon as the father to your children, all with the honor of making you happy throughout our life together. What more could I want?”

My own happiness grew at his sincerity. “And I’ll continue to be your eyes as we create new dreams throughout our wonderful life together.”

In this moment, it was impossible to focus on anything but the blessings in my life: my freedom, my new role as a healer, being Quinn’s eyes, and creating a future full of purpose with him. Life was even more beautiful than I could have ever imagined back when I was trapped in my tower. I was infinitely grateful for the man who’d not only shown me the possibility of more, but who had helped me discover the inner strength to create a life of my choosing.

Nothing would hold me back from the life I wanted to live ever again.

Epilogue

Igently dabbed the damp cloth along my sister-in-law’s brow. “Deep breaths, Rhea. You’re doing wonderfully.”

She bit her lip and nodded, squeezing Drake’s hand even more tightly, but he made no complaint. His worried gaze remained riveted to hers before he glanced uncertainly at me. I nodded my assurance.

The calm that always enveloped me when nursing guided my movements as I left her side to retrieve the bowl of herbs I’d prepared, a remedy of my own creation, complete with a touch of the enchanted garden’s magic. Rhea eyed the bowl as I returned and managed a weak smile as she caught a familiar scent.

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