Page 159 of Wicked Prince of Frost

King Eojin offered me an excessive sum of coins for everything I’d done, but I declined. I already have what I sought from my bargain. But when he offered to give me Joon’s horse, I couldn’t refuse.

Iseul lifts Bear up into my arms. “Be a good little puppy, all right? I’ll try to come see you soon,” she says, patting them on the head.

She backs up, waving, then turns and runs back through the palace gates.

Already missing my friend, I watch her until she’s out of sight, then turn Star Runner toward the east, where the human lands lie beyond the old border.

There is the notable absence of someone I’d hoped to say goodbye to. But I haven’t seen Imugi since the morning after Joon broke the curse. Perhaps they are searching for Joon in places the rest of us can’t venture.

I don’t ask about them, not wishing to jinx them with bad luck, and choosing to believe they are well.

“I’m ready,” I say to Mingi.

He closes his eyes and summons a road for us, cutting through the forest trees ahead. Even with the new roads between the lands with outposts set up to make travel safer for humans and less magical fae, this way will cut a two-day-long trip down to hours.

By the early evening, we finally reach the edge of the human lands. I move off the fae road and turn to Mingi.

“Thank you for escorting me… and everything else.”

“I can take you the rest of the way,” he offers.

I shake my head. “It’s only an hour from here, and I’d like to have some time alone to organize my thoughts.”

My parents have been trapped for what feels like a lifetime, and I have been in the fae lands for what feels like another on top of that.

He nods in understanding.

Mingi and I don’t exchange parting words as we go our separate ways. Other than caring for Joon, we were never close.

Bear and I pass the area where we had our first encounter, and I can’t help the smile that tugs my lips. I was so afraid of them then. My past self could never have imagined that I would bring them home to stay with me one day.

I pause at the top of the hill overlooking the edge of town. It looks like the same home I’ve always known. The same businesses, the same lanterns that ring the city to keep the wild demons from venturing too close, the same bustle of people going about their day. Yet, somehow, everything feels different.

So much has changed that I’m unsure how I fit in my old life anymore, only that my place isn’t where it used to be.

“I suppose it is not this place, but me, that has changed,” I murmur.

It’s easy to believe that it’s much the same for Iseul, Mingi, and King Eojin. Perhaps, we all feel some variation of being set adrift from everything we’ve always known.

Bear lifts their head, then leaps down to walk alongside me, taking on the role of a faithful dog.

As we make our way through town and near the gate of my childhood home, I wonder if perhaps I should have sent a letter ahead of me.

Does my family still live here? What if they heard about the Choosing and assuming I died, moved away? Illogical thoughts race through my mind the rest of the way, only to vanish as I turn onto the drive.

The moment I pass through the gate, the front door is thrown wide, with Mother and Father rushing out to meet me.

Just as my feet touch solid ground, Mother wraps me up in a fierce hug, with tears streaming down her face. Father joins us, his eyes glassy and red, and wraps us both in his strong arms. Then we all talk at once, our voices a tangle of questions and words of relief.

When we eventually separate, Mother reaches out and wipes my face. “Are you hurt?”

“I’m all right,” I assure them. “The prince didn’t hurt me. He…” I hesitate and push down the ache that rises in my chest. “He healed me.”

My parents exchange concerned glances. I can’t blame them. If it hadn’t happened to me, I would have a hard time believing it as well. I am one of the handful who ever got to know the true version of him.

“Ishethe reason you couldn’t return sooner?”

I shake my head. “There was something I had to take care of first.”