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"Thank you," I say. "For all your do. Thank you. I will always help maintain your graves, and if you ever can show me where yours is and what your name is, I'll add it to your tombstone."

A gentle breeze blows through me, like a tender caress, and I smile as the door closes and I know I'm finally alone. I flop back onto my pillow, Moon purring at my side, and feel the crinkle of paper under my head.

I reach for it and stare at the script. I've never seen Cole's writing, but I know this is from him. My heart constricts as I open it. Inside the envelope is my onyx ring and a note.

My dearest Eve,

You will likely not believeme, and I wouldn't blame you at all, but not everything I said and did was a lie. You weren't a lie. I promise you that.

My brothers deserved what they got, and I think they know it, too.

But you didn't. You were a casualty of a war that wasn't your own, and for that I will always be deeply sorry.

I'm returning your ring, in hopes you will keep wearing it. It fell off that night.

I didn't get a chance to tell you this, but the ring is a protection ring. That wasn't a lie. I made it with my own powers, which means it even protects you from me. I never wanted you to be caught in something that could harm you. But I failed to consider the emotional cost of what I've done.

It has been too long since I have had any emotion but anger.

But you made me feel something more. Something true and deep and everlasting, even if I never see you again.

I returned the egg. I assume you know that by now.

And I know what you are. I always have.

I still believe you and I are stronger together.

If you ever change your mind, I'll know, and I'll be here.

Je t'aime,

Cole Night

A tear fallsfrom my cheek onto the paper, casting an inky smear over his signature. I set it aside, but clutch the ring in my palm, then I stand and walk to the balcony and gaze into the distance.

"Oh, Cole," I say into the wind. "How could I ever live with you?" I ask, not expecting an answer. "But how will I ever live without you?"

Already my heart is breaking. I feel like I lost both my brother and Cole in a single night.

I hold the ring to my heart, letting a sob break loose from my throat. I let the tears come, let the emotions wash over me. I give myself permission to feel pain. To feel grief. To not expect happiness for at least a few moments.

We place such a premium on happiness that we deny the reality of our own existence in seeking it. We devalue pain in all its forms, not realizing that the pain can teach us so much more than the joy. The joy is our reward for the lessons learned through pain. We wouldn't have the joy without it.

So, I embrace my own pain and I cry until there are no more tears.

I cry for Cole. For Adam. For myself. For this family that is broken and may never truly be mended.

I cry for Ava'Kara, who was the first of the dragons with the courage to sacrifice herself to save this world. Even the Beggar Queen chose a path that kept her alive. Sure, she drained her magic to help, but she didn't make the ultimate sacrifice and she could have. In the end, it was Ava'Kara. Maybe that was because the water dragon had an heir, but that doesn't make her sacrifice any less noble. I wear her ring on my right hand now, at her request before she died.

Someday I will give it to her daughter, when she is ready.

I open my palm and study the other ring recently given to me. Now that I know what I'm looking for, I can feel Cole's energy in the stone, pulsing at the same frequency that he does. It sends warmth through my body when I slip it on my finger, and I know the moment I do that I won't be taking it off again.

Someday, I have hope that Cole will come home for good. That this family will be complete.

Until then, I will be the best mother to Alina I can, and the best partner to other brothers. I will hold us together and help make us stronger.

There's a knock at the door, and a platter of food flies in seemingly of its own accord.