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She doesn’t stop till she reaches one of them. Her hand hesitates on the small gate, and she looks at me. The strong, mouthy woman who has no problem attacking a shifter looks at me with a vulnerable gaze.

“Go,” I say gently. “She’s been waiting for you for a long time.”

“What if”—her voice catches—“What if she doesn’t remember me?”

“Would you like me to go with you?”

I see the flicker of emotion in her eyes. “No.”

My voice is low, meant only for her ears. “You just have to say it.”

She swallows, her eyes darting toward the closed cottage door and then back at me. “I’ll be fine.”

“And I’ll be right here.”

Maya pushes the gate open, calling out, “Mom?” Her voice breaks slightly, and then she tries again. “Mom, I’m home.”

At first, there’s no sound, and then something rattles inside. The door opens, and a woman emerges. Maya’s mother looks older and frailer than I expected. Skin sallow, hair thin. She tilts her head slowly, blinking.

Maya takes a step forward, unsure. “Mom, it’s me.”

Her mother squints, confusion clouding her features.

Maya’s breath hitches. “It’s Maya. I—I came back.”

Still no recognition.

My fists clench helplessly. I feel the pain in her chest like it’s carved into my own.

The gate creaks open behind us, and an older man steps through. “Give her a moment,” he says gently. “She has good days.”

Maya turns. “Jerry?”

I recognize the man. How could I not? About a decade older than me, he was the senior healer when I went missing.

His eyes fall on me and widen. The shock in them is unmistakable. “King Griffin?!”

He’s about to rush over, but I shake my head.

Lips trembling, he looks back at Maya. His voice is uneven now. “She’s doing better, Maya. Although, she has been a little disorientated today.”

But as soon as the words are out of his mouth, I hear the older woman murmur, “Maya. Sweetheart, why are your clothes so dirty?”

“M–Mom!”

Maya rushes into her mother’s arms, and I move away to give them some privacy.

I hear Jerry tell her, “I told her you were traveling. I’ve looked after your mother for you, Maya.”

Her eyes fill with tears as she buries her face in her mother’s neck. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”

Her sobs are heartbreaking. My throat feels tight. I’m not used to this. All this feeling.

Erik steps beside me. “So,” he says quietly, “want to tell me why you’re acting like a rabid wolf over her?”

I stiffen.

He crosses his arms. “You attacked palace guards. You nearly lost control back there. You’re hovering like she’s made of glass. I’ve never seen you like this.”