Rosalina
THE SHARP SPARKLE OF magic wraps around me as we leap through the portal. I grip Ezryn
tightly; it’s so strange to feel the shape of his arm beneath a jacket when he’s usually covered in
armor.
My sneakers hit solid ground, and I take a deep breath. I know with just a taste of the thick air: I’m
back. I’m here.
Home.
I blink as my eyes adjust. We’re on the bridge outside Castletree. My heart races with memories.
The spires soar among sturdy tree branches, those cursed thorns snaking up the side. But there’s
something different, something that wasn’t here before, and certainly shouldn’t be here now that
spring has crested.
A thick layer of ice smothers the tree. Icicles drip off the turrets and swirling frost clings to the
windows.
What has happened to Castletree?
Ezryn carefully sets Lucas down on the stone bridge. Beside him, my father positively vibrates
with excitement. You’d think the man would be a little more cautious, figuring he was thrown in the
dungeon last time he was here.
“He’s stable for the moment,” Ezryn says, standing. His nineties ski gear looks even more out of
place in the Enchanted Vale. “We’ve got bigger problems to deal with.”
“Tell me about it,” a cocky voice says.
Dayton leans by the door, a fae man again. He wears loose pants, with only his seashell necklace
gracing his muscular chest. But there’s a deep red gash across his skin, and a slice along his right eye.
“Day.” I throw myself at him. His arms wrap tightly around me, and I burrow into his body.
“You’re hurt.”
“Ahh, Blossom.” He presses his lips to the top of my head. “You’re here. I could take on an entire
army.”
I lose myself in his warmth, the scent of salt and sunshine. “Farron?” I pull back slightly, gently
touching the side of his face.
“Got him in the cell. He’s fine.” Dayton shrugs. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say that damn beast is
getting stronger.”
“He couldn’t stand seeing Rosalina in danger.” Ezryn steps toward us, casting a disdainful look
down at Lucas.
I’m sure he’d love to have left him there. Deep inside, there’s a part of me that wishes that, too. But
I couldn’t just leave him to die.
I push my thoughts away and—without letting go of Dayton—reach out to grab Ezryn’s gloved
hand. “Thank you for helping him. For bringing me back. Both of you.”
Something sparks inside me, and I double over, clutching my chest.
“Rosalina!” Ezryn, Dayton, and Papa all reach for me, but I wave them off.
“No, I’m fine,” I mutter and stand, glaring at the castle. “Kel knows I’m here.”
It isn’t a question, but Dayton answers me anyway. “Yeah, he knows we left to find you. Wasn’t
exactly all sunshine and rainbows about it.”
“It’s time to deal with that bigger problem you were talking about, Ezryn,” I say.
“I agree.” Ezryn glances toward the sky. The sun dips below the horizon, and the sharp crackle of
magic ignites around us.
Papa gives a gasp of surprise, but I am not afraid of the golden wolf with glittering shells and
seaweed in his fur or the black wolf covered in moss and bone. Both step close to me, bowing their
heads, and I brush my fingers over their soft fur.
“Stay with Lucas,” I tell Papa. “I’m going to tell the master of the castle I’m home.”
Ezryn and Dayton walk on either side of me as I open the door to Castletree and step inside.
I told Keldarion I’d find my way back, and I did.
Found my way back to my mate.