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I t was surreal to stand at the center of the Blight without a wall of mist anywhere to be seen. The colorless earth warped and puckered in a spiral pattern, meeting at a distinct point. Mareleau shuddered at the pulse of mora that flowed from that point, moving through the land, through her body. A tether of magic remained forever between her and Noah, a circuit she sensed no matter where he was. Larylis held him, several feet from where Mareleau stood, and still the pulse connected them as strongly as if he was in her arms. She supposed she’d feel it until the day Noah came of age and her role as regent became obsolete.

It was a bittersweet prospect. The day her child would no longer need her. She hoped she wouldn’t be too disappointed to give up this power when the time came.

Etrix came up beside her. “We’ll need to build a temporary shelter here until an official palace can be constructed. And you’ll need to train in how to move the mora at once. Our priority is healing the Blight.”

She met his ruby-brown eyes and found lines of fatigue on his ageless face. Even though he spoke in a diplomatic tone, he was grieving. His daughter had died only yesterday. It didn’t matter that they’d been separated for decades, or that Etrix hadn’t even known if she’d been alive in the human world before they’d recently reunited. A loss was a loss, and his was still fresh. A full week had passed in the human world, but here it had only been a day. Luckily, Cora had retrieved Ailan’s body and brought it back, along with all the other Elvyn soldiers—the hale, the dead, and the wounded alike.

It must have been exhausting work for Cora, constantly worldwalking back and forth over the past week, often with multiple companions in tow. With the tear fully sealed, the only way Cora could enter El’Ara was with Valorre. Cora had sent word an hour ago—El’Ara time—that her mission was complete. All that remained was escorting Helena to El’Ara.

After that…

Mareleau would never see Cora again. She’d worldwalk away for the last time. Her throat constricted just thinking about it.

Making friends, losing friends.

Yet another bittersweet eventuality.

If you’re building a new palace , came a voice in her mind, I demand ample caves nearby .

Mareleau glanced skyward and found the opalescent creature soaring overhead. She still wasn’t used to her bonded dragon. Especially since Ferrah wasn’t the warmest companion. She’d demonstrated a few short-lived bouts of neediness, approaching Mareleau at random times to head-butt her hand with the vigor of a beast who didn’t understand her own strength. Ferrah otherwise remained cold and independent.

Like a cat, Mareleau supposed.

I resent that. I don’t know what that is .

You don’t have felines here? Mareleau thought back. She was amazed that that was all it took to communicate with her. Small bodies, pointed ears, soft fur.

You mean the Elvyn?

I said soft fur .

Isn’t that what’s on their heads? I suppose you wouldn’t know . Ferrah said the last part with what Mareleau imagined was a smirk, before flying off and out of sight.

Mareleau touched the ends of her chin-length hair. She’d cried when she’d seen her reflection in the mirror yesterday, but today she wasn’t feeling nearly as self-conscious. Her short locks suited her fine, now that one of her maids had taken a pair of shears to them and styled them in loose waves. It left her with nothing to braid when she was anxious, but that was probably a habit she should discard already. She was regent of El’Ara, after all.

“So…this will one day be our home?” Larylis said, coming up beside her with Noah in his arms. She frowned, puzzled by his words until she realized he was referring to the palace Etrix had mentioned. The Elvyn now stood several yards away, staring up at the sky as if mentally constructing their future palace. Mareleau imagined they had Elvyn specialists who designed and constructed their impressive feats of architecture, but if it distracted Etrix from the loss of his daughter, who was she to judge?

“Yes,” Mareleau said, meeting his lips with a soft kiss before placing an even softer one on her sleeping son’s forehead. She met her husband’s eyes again. “Are you all right with all this? I know it’s happening so fast. Everything we thought we knew about our lives and our roles has changed.”

“I admit, this is nothing like the future I imagined for us,” he said, his gaze scanning the barren landscape of the Blight.

Her heart sank. Gods, he’d lost so much. Before she could open her mouth to apologize, he pinned her with a knowing look.

“Don’t you dare, Mare.” His tone was gentle, his lips tilted in a smile. “Don’t tell me I’ve lost everything, because it’s far from the truth. I will ache for the human world and the people we’ll have to leave behind. But don’t forget who I am at my heart. I wasn’t born to be a king, but a lover and a scholar. I have my wife and child. And now I have an entire world to satisfy my intellectual curiosity. This place is a storybook legend come to life.”

That was so like him, and it lifted her heart to the heavens. She wasn’t sure how much of his words were meant to placate her, but they served to remind her that they could thrive here. They would . And they would do it together.

She pressed her lips to his again, and as she pulled away, movement caught her eye. She and Larylis turned to find the colorless landscape warping and swirling midair not too far away. Mareleau’s heart leaped in anticipation. Etrix turned toward the vortex too. It spread wider to create a large opening.

Garot stepped out first. “Look how brilliantly the mora has improved my abilities! My Path works through the Blight now.”

Fanon followed next, far less jovial. His complexion was wan, and dark circles shadowed his eyes. Mareleau’s gaze dropped to the silk bandages wrapping his blunted wrists. She’d heard about the injuries he’d sustained, heard he might not even recover. But there he was. She wasn’t his greatest fan, but he’d supported Ailan’s wishes where Mareleau and Noah were concerned. So long as his loyalty outlasted his consort’s life, Fanon might be an essential advocate in the coming days, second only to Etrix. She needed their support and influence on the tribunal to ensure the Elvyn continued to honor their vows.

Garot and Fanon stepped aside, revealing the faces of those Mareleau had been most excited to see: Cora, Teryn, Valorre, and…

“Mother!” Mareleau took off running. She hadn’t expected to feel this relief, this sharp piercing love, this overwhelming comfort. Not for Helena.

But she did, and as she collided into her mother’s arms, she knew Helena felt it too. Cora had been right to include Helena in her terms for the alliance. Mareleau needed her mother. Sure, they would likely fight again like they used to, and they would certainly say cruel things to each other when at their wit’s end. But they’d mended a gap between them that neither would ever dare widen again.

Cora watched the reunion with teary eyes. Larylis and Teryn met next, bracing each other’s forearms. She gave them a few long moments alone before approaching them and addressing Larylis. “I’m sorry I couldn’t bring your mother or brothers.”

“It’s all right,” Larylis said, and there seemed to be only a hint of regret in his tone. He may not be close to Annabel Seralla or his young half brothers, but it must have hurt at least somewhat to know he’d never see them again. Regardless, the Elvyn wouldn’t permit it, as it hadn’t been part of Ailan’s negotiations with the tribunal. Ailan had secured a binding vow from them, granting Larylis and Helena protection, respect, and citizenship in exchange for the terms Cora had promised.

She’d fulfilled every term of her end over the past week, worldwalking the Elvyn soldiers who’d fought alongside the humans. The battle near the tear had been close, but as soon as Darius had disappeared beyond the Veil, many of his soldiers thought him defeated. The tide had turned after that, and the human-Elvyn alliance ended victorious. Still, there had been many casualties. Yet more lives Cora would mourn as queen. More deaths she bore the weight of.

Meanwhile, Teryn had overseen the aftermath of the battle at Ridine, which had far fewer casualties on their side. The wraiths had truly saved them that night. Shortly after Cora and Teryn had left for Centerpointe Rock, the battle had ended. The survivors had surrendered or fled. Captain Alden had chosen not to give chase to those who ran, and Cora agreed with that decision. Let them run. Let them tell the tale of terror that had befallen them. Let them strike fear into the hearts of anyone who would seek to come for Lela next.

“Thank you for everything you’ve done,” Larylis said, bringing her back to the present. “For ensuring my place here.”

“You’re welcome,” Cora said, then glanced down at Noah. She hadn’t paid him much attention since birth, hadn’t ever asked to hold him or rock him. Now she knew why—she’d been afraid. Too afraid that the bitterness that had clogged her heart would rear its head and force her to confront it. But she had confronted it. She cast a questioning look at Larylis. “Can…can I hold him?”

“Of course.” His answer came so easily. He had no idea how hard it had been for her to utter those words.

Her heart beat a little heavier as he passed the child to her. She looked down at the sleepy, pudgy-cheeked baby, her senses open to whatever reaction she might have. If she felt a bitter pang, she’d accept it. If she felt hurt, or rage, or tears, she’d let it come. And yet…only warmth filled her heart as she held the child for the first and last time. “I wish I could watch you grow up, little nephew,” she said, and she meant every word.

“I wish you could too.” Mareleau stood before her now, her eyes red from crying during her reunion with her mother.

Cora pressed a gentle kiss to Noah’s downy head and passed him back to Larylis. Then she and Mareleau collided in a hug. More warmth filled her, every ounce of resentment gone. Free. She fully sank into the sorrow of the moment, the beauty of this goodbye. She’d hated Mareleau when they’d first met, considered her a rival. The kind of woman Cora could never get along with.

But they’d found camaraderie in darkness. They were different in many ways, but similar too. Stubborn. Bold. Unafraid of violence and cunning if it helped them reach their goals. They both railed against the societal standards that demeaned them.

Two queens.

Two friends.

Two women who would do whatever they could to influence their two separate worlds for the better.

They pulled apart, their cheeks glistening with tears.

“Goodbye, Cora,” Mareleau said, voice trembling.

“Goodbye, Mare.”

Cora and Teryn stepped back, and Mareleau, Larylis, and Helena huddled close. Valorre nudged Cora’s shoulder. It was time for them to go home. Cora took Teryn’s hand in hers and placed her free palm on Valorre’s neck. She gave one last smile to the people she loved?—

“Come, unicorn,” Garot said, tone jovial. “I know you’ll miss your friend, but it’s time for them to leave.”

The blood drained from Cora’s face, and she sensed the same shock radiating from Valorre. “What are you…”

Mother Goddess, it all became so sorrowfully clear. The Elvyn intended for Valorre to stay behind.

“He’s a fae creature,” Etrix said. “He belongs here with his own kind. There is no more fae magic in the human world. If he returns to Lela, he will eventually lose his magic.”

“He’ll become a horse,” Garot said. “That’s what you call a hornless unicorn in your world, isn’t it?”

Cora blinked, struck silent. Even Valorre was mute for once. “No,” she finally managed to say. “He…he’s my friend. My familiar.”

“What they say is true,” Fanon said. His tone lacked all the sharpness it used to contain. Instead, it was deeper, laced with grief and exhaustion. “Even more pressing is that we made a binding vow to Ailan. Everyone on the tribunal did, and it outlasts her death. We would accept these few humans as citizens in El’Ara, but none of our kind will be left in Lela.”

Ailan had told her as much, but she’d imagined the Elvyn soldiers, not Valorre. Yet…a part of her had understood those terms extended to the unicorns. It was why Valorre had worked so hard to escort his brethren through the Veil before she pushed the mora back.

Even so, not once had she imagined Valorre being left in El’Ara when all was said and done.

“We cannot let you leave with him,” Fanon said, tone surprisingly gentle. “Doing so would break our oath. And if you leave with him against our will, your actions will void what we agreed to. The tribunal will no longer be beholden to keep their vows.”

Cora’s stomach turned. She could imagine what that would mean. They could take it out on Mareleau, Larylis, and Helena.

He’s right . Valorre spoke into her mind, his tone resigned. I cannot leave with you if you want your friends to stay safe .

Cora’s heart cracked.

Then his voice took on a cheery tone. So I’ll just come back to you later!

What do you mean? Her heart thudded with hope. Did she dare hope?

You heard him , Valorre said. They cannot let you leave with me, nor can you take me with you against their will. But there’s nothing in their vow that forbids me from leaving El’Ara of my own accord later for a fully unrelated reason .

She puzzled over his words. Your horn may have the ability to pierce the Veil, but our worlds are no longer connected in such a tangible way. The Veil is invisible now. There’s no wall of mist to walk through .

Our worlds still rest side by side. I’ll find a way.

You’re no worldwalker.

But you are, and we’re connected. We always will be .

He was so confident, so assured. She wanted to believe him, but…

Do not doubt me , he said, tossing his mane. I am a superior being among my kind. No unicorn has bonded a human before and none will ever again. I am the smartest and handsomest of all fae creatures. Surely I can find my way to your world .

She couldn’t help but smile at that. Even if it means losing your magic and becoming a horse?

He internally scoffed. I’ll still be the largest, fastest, and smartest horse on your planet. Don’t lump me in with those brainless fornicators .

Tears rolled down her cheeks, but her heart felt lighter. It was still breaking, and maybe it would never heal. She couldn’t rely on the future he hoped for, but she could share his dream.

Maybe someday they’d meet again.

But for now…this was goodbye.

She pressed her face into his neck, memorizing the softness of his coat, the hum of his energy all around her. Teryn joined her, one hand on her shoulder, the other stroking Valorre’s mane.

Tell Teryn not to look at a single horse while I’m gone , Valorre said, tone somber.

That’s kind of a lot to ask .

Well, tell him not to look at a single one with affection . He better keep those dazzling eyes to himself. And when he looks at his reflection and sees that stupid moonlight hair, he better think of me .

Cora chuckled. We both will. I promise .

With her lungs still tight enough to burst, she forced herself to pull away from her unicorn companion, her best friend, and the creature who had set everything currently in her life into motion. He was the reason she’d left the Forest People. He was the reason she’d crossed paths with Teryn. He’d changed her life. She couldn’t imagine the unbearable silence she’d endure once he was no longer in it.

I’ll find you , he said, more certain than ever. I’ll cross worlds forever if I must. You’ll see .

See you soon, then .

She blinked tears from her eyes so she could memorize this final image. Mareleau, Larylis, Noah, and Helena huddled together. Etrix and Garot waving goodbye. Fanon offering a single nod of farewell. Valorre at the center, his head held high, sunlight glinting off his pale fur.

Teryn squeezed her hand, and she returned the gesture. Then she inhaled a deep breath and closed her eyes.

Took a step.

And left a piece of her behind.