Ruse Village is the meeting point between the palace and Alyssium. Where Alyssium’s guards stay when their magic wears thin, and they need to recharge.
Which means, I might see guards from my home here. I might finally be able to find out how my friends are doing.
Greer pulls from the woman’s arms, but she hasn’t taken her eyes off me. “Elorie, this is my aunt, Millicent, and her daughter, Lune.”
Lune hurries over to Greer when she squats low, running into her arms. “I missed you.”
Greer’s eyes pinch closed. “I missed you too.”
When Lune lifts her head from Greer’s shoulder, she eyes me again. “Is she a princess?”
A laugh bursts out of Greer. “A princess? No. You know there is only one princess in the palace. Princess Hazel.”
“She’s dressed like a princess.”
I glance down at my dress. There wasn’t time to change before leaving the palace, and this outfit is entirely out of place here.
“I’m no princess,” I confirm with a smile, tucking my hair behind my ears as the breeze continues to whip it over my face.
Lune and Millicent’s eyes widen as they take in their rounded shape.
“She’s a human.” Millicent’s voice is nearly a whisper.
“Half.” Greer stands, but Lune doesn’t leave her side. “Elorie is the one who woke magic on Alyssium.”
“Gods’ blessed.” Millicent presses her palm to her chest, drawing out the wrinkles around her eyes.
A tight smile forms on my lips because I know I’m supposed to be happy about what I’ve done, but I’m starting to wonder if there’s anything worth celebrating anymore.
“Is she the one who is going to bring the magic back?” Lune asks, clutching the rabbit close to her chest.
While Millicent’s cheeks are bright, Lune’s are not. Her eyes are dim, and her face is hollow.
Greer tucks Lune’s tight black curls behind her ear. “She’s going to try.”
The weight of my promise has never been so heavy. Lune’s eyes hold so much hope that I’m terrified to see it wane. I nod, wishing my smile wasn’t a lie. At least it’s enough to earn me one from Lune in return. Though Millicent’s falters like she senses my hesitance.
I couldn’t even save Isolde tonight. How am I going to save an entire kingdom?
“Do you still have the extra set of leathers I left?” Greer asks, steering us toward the house. “Elorie needs a change of clothes.”
“In the spare room.”
Millicent guides us down the path, and Lune walks quietly beside me. She glances up every few steps, not saying anything. With my head finally clearing, I take a look around, noting the wilting vegetation.
It’s still green, with flowers dotting the edges of the forest, but it’s nowhere near as lush as the trees at the palace. The leaves don’t shine. There’s no shimmer through the darkness. Shadows are thicker here, dulling the greenery. Like it’s slipping away.
Houses line the shore, and my feet freeze in place when I hear the lapping of the waves.
Those same waves reach my home. A home too far to see from here, even if it were daytime. But I scent it on the breeze—feel it in the air.
Alyssium.
Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath, holding the saltwater wind in my lungs, not quite ready to let it go. When my eyes flutter open, home has never felt so close or far.
“This way,” Millicent calls.
I turn to find her and Greer watching me while Lune disappears into a house. I make my way inside as well, discarding my sandals by the door so I don’t drag sand across the floor.