Page 39 of Manor of Wind and Nightmares (Fae of Brytwilde #3)

Then

M y first sliver of relief since slaying the prince came when I stumbled back into Greybrooke, leaving the cruel fae world behind.

Familiar landmarks welcomed me as I strolled down the street, keeping my head downcast and covered with my hood, not wanting anyone to recognize me and question where I’d been, what I’d done.

I didn’t know if my family had shared the truth or not, but it was likely I’d be shunned regardless, and though that hardly mattered to me now, I didn’t want anyone prying.

I especially didn’t want to cast my family in poor light.

As long as they were alive and safe.

It’d been like holding my breath for days as I’d traveled here.

Though the effects of my potion had long worn off, changing my appearance to my own, I’d still feared for my safety in Willowbark, knowing that being a mortal there was dangerous enough.

Even if I no longer wore the face of the prince’s killer.

When I hadn’t been consumed with guilt and grief, I’d been overwhelmed with fear.

King Wystan could have lied. He could have ordered my family to be killed or hurt despite the fact that I’d fulfilled my mission. I had nothing to rely on but his honor, and given the way he’d deceived me once already, I wasn’t sure if he had any.

Heart thrumming in my ears, I finally exited the city proper and allowed myself to pick up my pace to a jog. My lungs burned as I followed the twists and hills of the country road, until at last I rounded the last bend and caught sight of our estate.

Nothing seemed out of place. Smoke curled from the chimney, clouding the perfect blue sky.

Birds chittered at me from the old oak I’d spent so many hours lying beneath and reading, sometimes alone, sometimes with Mother.

Off-key notes from a stable boy singing as he worked with the horses wafted toward me on the spring breeze.

Home. Eyes burning, I sprinted down the road, lifting my skirts and nearly stumbling in a patch of mud as I crossed the lawn and approached the front door.

I hardly cared. Father would scold me; Lavinia would frown; Callista might laugh or roll her eyes.

But as long as they were safe, and I was here, I could manage.

I could try to erase the awfulness of the past in my mind, pray that Emberglade would leave us alone and Willowbark would never discover my true identity, and trust that now we could live in peace.

Panting, I paused atop the front steps, swiping at strands of hair that had escaped my knot and stuck to my flushed face.

Untying my cloak, I tugged it off my shoulders.

For some reason, I lifted my hand hesitantly, choosing to knock rather than simply open the door.

I wasn’t sure how my family would react to my sudden reappearance, and thought maybe they’d be a little less shocked or alarmed by my state if a servant announced me first.

But when the door creaked inward, an unfamiliar face narrowed his eyes at me. Had Lavinia dismissed Lawrence?

“I’m afraid we haven’t met,” I began, catching my breath. “I’m Aurelia Sinclair. Could you announce my safe return to my family and ask one of the maids to draw me a bath?”

The man blinked, his nose twitching in silent affront. “Excuse me, ma’am, but this is highly unusual.”

“I know I was traveling without an escort, but the circumstances were unusual as well.” I cleared my throat. “I’m not sure what Father told you, but I assure you, I wasn’t away to cause trouble for my family. I just need to see them...”

The man cut off my rambling. “Sinclair, you said?”

Desperation tightened my chest. “Yes,” I said, forcing patience into my tone.

“I’m not sure where the confusion arose, but the Sinclairs no longer live at this residence.”

The world lurched and my knees wobbled. “Excuse me...what? What happened to them?”

Eyes widening at my reaction, the servant held up a hand. “They sold this estate to my master and mistress, but if you could wait a moment, I’ll provide you with their new address. They’d said someone might call and look for them.”

Throat dry, I nodded, unable to speak. As the servant disappeared inside, closing the door, I tried to calm my whirling emotions.

They’re alive. That was the most important thing.

But... They moved? Had King Wystan followed through on his word of not harming them, but failed to deliver the gold he’d promised?

Or did they spend it already, while I was away and unable to do the bookkeeping and monitor our expenses?

Tears pricked my eyes. Had I killed Kaede and broken my own heart, only for my family to still be in poor circumstances? Were they all right?

After what felt like an eternity, the servant returned, handing me an envelope. “I’d forgotten they left this.”

Aurelia Sinclair was scrawled across the front in Lavinia’s elaborate hand.

Clearly disturbed by my disheveled appearance, the servant didn’t wait around to watch me read, instead bidding me good evening and closing the door. I strolled back toward the familiar oak tree, settling beneath it one last time to open the envelope and read my sister’s letter.

Dear Aurelia,

The funds you bargained for were not enough to sustain us for long, and so we made the decision to sell the estate and use the profits to help our situation.

Since we could not send word to you in the fae world, we are leaving you this note.

We are settling in a smaller but fashionable home in Riverside, where we can continue a genteel lifestyle befitting our station, without fear of the expenses it costs to maintain the estate and a large number of servants.

Yours,

Lavinia

Beneath her signature was an address.

For a long moment, I stared at it, the letters blurring before my eyes. I gave myself time to process and grieve. To stand, press my palm against the tree trunk, and squeeze my eyes shut, remembering times long past.

Then I left Greybrooke behind.