Selene arches a silver eyebrow at me. I’ve not yet told her about him and everything that’s transpired over the last few weeks. It’s all felt up in the air, and I didn’t want to jinx anything by writing to her about it too soon. But now that she’s here, I’m going to fill her in oneverything.
And there’s a lot to be said.
“Let us help you with your bags,” Rowan says, stepping toward the wagon.
I appreciate his well-timed distraction. I’d rather not explain everything to everyone right at this very moment. All in time.
My mother, still pink in the cheeks, moves aside to allow him access to the heavy bags stuffed into the wagon. Alden joins him, and together they pull out my family’s belongings. Wyland assists, and between the three of them, we’ll be able to make one trip to the inn.
“I can’t wait to see Auntie’s cottage,” Selene says wistfully, Harrison still clutched in her arms. “I wonder how much I’ll still recognize from when we were just girls.”
“There’ll be time enough for that later,” Mama says. “Let’s get situated first.”
I’m unsurprised that she’s in no rush to get to the cottage. She and her sister never saw eye to eye on much, and my mother was drawn to the bustling city while Auntie wanted to escape to the woods. It’s still hard to wrap my head around how different they were.
“We can get you settled in at the Golden Lantern,” Rowan says, drawing Mama’s gaze, “and once you’re rested, we can have supper at the cottage.”
Mama nods, being surprisingly amiable. I didn’t know she had a thing for redheaded knights.
Selene and I exchange glances and repressed smiles.
The eight of us—including Harrison and Fletcher—turn away from the wagon and start toward Faunwood. When I glance up to look for Faolan, a heavy weight settles into my stomach like a stone.
Because he’s gone, vanished without a trace. Though I scan the distant trees and roads for him, I see nothing.
Alden meets my eyes and offers me a soft smile. “He’ll come around,” he whispers, voice low enough I’m sure the others don’t hear.
I nod once—I hope he’s right—then refocus my attention on Fletcher, trying not to let Faolan’s absence bother me. Selene is finally here, and I’m going to enjoy every moment I have with her.
Chapter 23
Aurora
ALDEN AND ROWAN HELP BRING all the bags into the two rooms we’ve rented at the Golden Lantern. Alden has been working so hard these past few weeks, trying to get everything done at the inn for Mrs. Bluewren, and I have to say, the work he did looks beautiful. The new trim, repaired banisters, and fresh window frames make the inn feel renewed and full of life.
Mrs. Bluewren chats with my mother—it seems they know each other distantly, from many years past—while Rowan and Alden descend the stairs into the big open foyer.
“Thank you both,” Selene says. “You’re already living up to everything Aurora has told me about you.”
The men meet my eyes, and Rowan quirks a brow questioningly.
“All good things,” Selene clarifies. Then her pale pink lips quirk up on one side. “Mostly.”
“Stop that,” I tell her, shooting her a playful look. Fletcher is still asleep in my arms, and I’m trying to keep my voice down, but the activity all around us doesn’t seem to disturb him in theleast. He’s still fast asleep, tiny fingers curled tight, his skin pink as a summer dawn.
“We’ll head back to the cottage,” Alden says, “let you catch up.”
“All right. We’ll be back for dinner tonight, I think?” I glance at Selene, and she nods once, her wavy silver hair bobbing with the movement.
“Absolutely.”
“Pleasure again to meet you,” Rowan says, and Selene allows him to press a kiss to her knuckles. Then his lips graze my cheek respectfully, his fingers just barely brushing over my belly before he steps aside.
Alden kisses me on the cheek as well and offers Selene a small smile, and then they both depart the Golden Lantern, and the door closes with a click behind them, leaving me standing with Selene, Harrison, and Wyland while Mama continues her chat with Mrs. Bluewren.
“How about some tea?” Selene asks, holding Harrison against her chest with one arm and stroking his silky hair with the other.
“You two go sit down,” Wyland tells us. “I’ll chat with the innkeeper and bring tea up shortly.”