Page 113 of Far From Sherwood Forest

If Marian is waiting for him in the afterlife, she’s in for a big surprise.

There’s no way in heaven or hell I’m letting her have him.

Before I’m too tempted to say any of that out loud, Ivy reappears in the middle of the hall. Robin and I both face her, waiting for news with bated breath.

“Will is in surgery.” She looks from me to Robin with a smile. “I think he’s going to be okay.”

The air tumbles from his lungs, his shoulders sagging as the tension he had been holding onto is lifted. He slumps over a little as though it had been too much to bear.

Relief floods my chest. “Thank you, Ivy.”

“Of course. By the time we get back, he’ll probably be out of surgery and resting. And no need to worry about anything else.” She gives me a little smirk, a sly twinkle in her eye. “When we arrived there, he was wearing jeans and a t-shirt, and the arrow had turned into a knife. Funny how that just happens.”

I’m glad she thought about that because I hadn’t.

“Ivy.” King Richard takes another step forward, a kind smile on his face and familiarity in his gaze. “It’s good to see you again after so many years.”

She turns to him with a similar expression. “You as well, Richard.”

I suppose it makes sense that the king would know about the Spirit of Sherwood Forest, but…damn, why am I a little jealous? It seems I’m more possessive than I thought, even over Ivy.

Which is ridiculous.

She’s a pain in my ass.

“When you return, we should sit down and have a talk,” the king says.

Ivy makes a little noncommittal sound and shrugs. “I’ll think about it.” She winks at him before turning to me and Robin. “Ready to go home?”

Home.

With Robin Hood.

Abso-fucking-lutely.

Robin turns back to Alan and Tuck one last time. “You both take care of yourselves.”

“You too, Robin,” Tuck says.

“We’ll always be brothers.” Alan reaches out and grabs onto Robin’s shoulder, a smile on his face despite the hint of sorrow in his eyes. “Please tell John and Will that as well.”

“I will, Brother.”

They all exchange hugs, and I find myself a bit sad that Robin has to leave them behind. However, he has me. He has John and Will too. He’ll be okay, and he’ll never be alone. I’ll make sure of it.

When he comes to stand beside me, he gives Ivy a nod and says, “Ready.” Then he faces me, reaching out to brush his fingers down the length of my forearm before threading them with mine. A mischievous grin plays at the corner of his lips, and his eyes sparkle. “One last act of rebellion, Sheriff?”

“Oh, absolutely, Robin Hood.”

With my other hand not holding onto his, I grab him by the back of the neck and pull him to me, pressing my lips to his as a wave of gasps passes through the hall.

They fade away as we do too.

There’s a breeze. The world shifts.

It’s my turn to play the thief as I steal the legend of Robin Hood from Sherwood Forest, taking him with me as we return home.

Six months later.