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Essie didn’t doubt it. As she and Farrendel stepped onto the branch to stroll back to their rooms, Essie held out a hand to Farrendel to offer to carry one of the jars.

Instead of handing her a jar, Farrendel switched both jars to one arm, hugging one between his body and his arm, then took her hand.

Essie clasped his hand, her chest expanding with so much happiness she might skip or squeal or something. She hadn’t expected him to take her hand. He hadn’t been that demonstrative in the past few days, too curled up inside himself to reach out to her.

It was a start, even if he was still blocking her through the heart bond.

With a smile that stretched as wide as it would go, Essie took the jar he had been hugging before he dropped it. “Are you feeling better?”

“Yes.” Farrendel’s shoulders weren’t tensed for the first time since he’d been rescued. “My mind is clear, and I can actually think.”

“I’m glad this was worth the walk.” Essie leaned closer to Farrendel, swinging their clasped hands. She’d missed this so very much. She had missedhim.

But at least now she had hope that things could finally start to get better.

LEYLEIRA TURNED outeven better than her word. Within a couple of hours, she had the train waiting at the station, all of their things loaded, and informed Essie’s family that they were on their way.

They gave brief farewells to Weylind, Rheva, and Leyleira, and Weylind mentioned that they might meet Jalissa at the border. Apparently, she had been looking for a reason to turn her duties as ambassador over to someone else, and Essie and Farrendel going to Escarland would provide Tarenhiel with enough representation that Jalissa could return to Tarenhiel.

Iyrinder, an elf who normally served as a guard for Weylind, joined them with a pack slung over a shoulder.

Weylind had given Farrendel a stern look. “I know you do not prefer guards. But do not fight me on this. Your human brother Averett will explain more when you arrive. But just know that we intend to keep you well guarded, especially in Escarland.”

That last was said with a quirk to Weylind’s mouth, rather than the heat it would have held before. He might find humor in tweaking Averett’s and Escarland’s failings, but he knew as well as they all did that there had been plenty of failures and gaps in security to go around.

Farrendel scowled, but he nodded and didn’t protest.

As they were about to board, Illyna hurried toward them out of the bustle of Estyra. Her gaze swept over Farrendel, taking in his appearance. “Do not think you can skip out on all of us that easily. We were all worried.”

Essie gripped Farrendel’s hand. She did feel bad that she and Farrendel hadn’t had a chance to greet all of his elven friends who had fought in whatever way they could by keeping the supply chain running or making healing balms the way Illyna had during the war.

“I know.” Farrendel glanced at Illyna before his gaze dropped down to the moss beneath their feet.

Illyna dug into the satchel she wore and pulled out two jars filled with a slightly green, viscous cream. “Here. I was on my way to Ellonahshinel to give these to you, then learned you were heading to Escarland. I made more shampoo and conditioner for you, and these have extra magic in them so they should help your hair grow faster.”

Farrendel stiffened, but he took one of the jars. “Linshi.”