Page 148 of A Promise of Peridot
I wrapped my arms around my brother and held him to me. “I’ll see you when I’m back. Keep an eye on Leigh?”
“I will. Travel safe. And good luck.”
I hurried through the barracks, the morning bright and filled with sunshine, even though I could feel the air turning crisp with early fall. I would never tire of seasons. If Kane and I were lucky enough to have a real life together, I would only live here in Onyx. Or anywhere like this, where I could experience all the seasons every few months. A sweltering summer full of dips in the pond, a colorful spring of blooms and chirping birds, a frigid winter—maybe even with a sprinkling of snow, another sight I had never seen—and a chilly autumn that would always remind me of Amber. Of my mother.
For better or for worse, that ray of hope had blossomed into a blinding sunrise. I wanted to live. I wanted to see everything. Experience everything. With Kane, with Mari, with Leigh, and even Ryder—for as long as I could.
I felt a massive presence at my side, long strides matching mine, and looked up to see Griffin accompanying me to the gates of the keep.
“Something I can help you with, Commander?”
Griffin stopped short and I stumbled to do the same. He stared at me pointedly, as if debating something.
“Out with it. I have a dragon to catch.”
But he didn’t smile.Color me shocked.
“I need to know you’ll take care of him.”
My brain stalled at his words. “Kane?”
He nodded once.
“I’d never hurt him, Griffin. I love—”
“Forget that. I’m not talking about yourwill-they-won’t-theyrelationship.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “Did Mari teach you that term?”
“I’m serious.”
“Aren’t you always?”
“Hemlock Isle is a lawless wasteland. Despite it being Onyx territory, Kane doesn’t have as much power there as he’d like to think. I understand why he can’t bring an army with him. It’s not part of the island’s code. But it’s a dangerous place, and if I’m not there, you must protect him.”
My heart swelled against my ribs.
“You’re more powerful than him, Arwen. The last full-blooded Fae. Tell me you will do what you did at Siren’s Bay again if you have to. To protect Kane, but also to protect the Onyx king. The champion of Evendell. He must live, for the sake of the realms.”
“I swear to you. I will protect him with my life.”
Griffin lifted his chin in acceptance and turned to leave, but I caught him by the sleeve of his tunic.
“Thank you. For looking out for him now, and always. Even protecting him from me, when that was what he needed. He’s lucky to have you.”
Griffin nodded, then removed my hand from his tunic carefully, and I fought the urge to grin. “And you,” I said, before he could walk away. “Help her? The amulet was a crutch, but I know she doesn’t need it to do magic. Help remind her what she’s capable of?”
“I’ll do what I can. But know this: she’s worth as much to me now as she is harnessing all the magic in Evendell.”
I felt my throat bob. Mari had shared her loss with him. “You should tell her that.”
He only grunted.
I gave him a shallow nod before hurrying over to Kane, who was leaning on the gates, waiting for me.
“What were you two talking about?”
I grinned and kissed his cheek. “You.”
