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Remy sagged with relief.

She could cry all over again that her friend had offered to stay. She didn’t trust any of Bern’s soldiers to stay behind. She didn’t know any of them. She didn’t feel like she could order Hale’s warriors around either. She supposed she would have to get used to ordering people around. But Bri had seen her distress and volunteered.

“I do not need your assistance,” Rua said.

“I know you don’t need it,” Remy said to her sister. “You’ve proven your power and skill,” she added, trying to puff her up. “But the North is still rife with those loyal to the fallen King. Even with that sword, you still need to sleep. Let one more pair of eyes guard your back. Please.”

Remy hated that she had to beg. She knew she could demand it and her sister could not refuse, but she wasn’t willing to throw down that gauntlet, not when they had just found each other again.

So she pleaded. Let her sister think she had a say. This relationship was already more tenuous than Remy had hoped, but with Bri there, at least she would know Rua would be safe.

“Fine.” Rua drifted those green-flecked eyes to Bri. The Eagle matched it with her own golden stare. These two were going to be an interesting pairing.

Remy gave one last half smile to her sister and turned. That was that. She plodded to the carriage where Hale waited. He stood proudly, looking at her.

He threaded his warm fingers through her hand. She felt the red thread tied around her ring finger.

“Give her time,” he mumbled.

Remy held onto his hand tighter.

Her Fated saw it all, how desperately she wanted her sister’s love, how badly she needed that connection.

It would come. Hale was right. Rua had been through an unspeakable trauma. She just needed time. At least, Remy hoped that was all she needed. She hated leaving her in the North, but she didn’t want to leave Renwick unchecked either. At least Bri would stay behind.

Remy scanned out over the swirling white blizzard. It would be a long trek through this weather, but she could not wait. She knew her people could not wait either. They would rather trudge through a snowstorm to reach their homeland than to wait another night in the castle of their enemy. It was only the beginning for them. The new day their world had been waiting fourteen years for was dawning. And it would be Remy who would usher in that change, with her King by her side.