But not right now. Not when all this danger and uncertainty surrounded us.
I opened my eyes. Two people strolled towards us, through the trees, and I recognized both of them. Abigail, her diminutive frame a striking contrast to Horlow, who walked beside her.
“Looks like they found us first,” I murmured, more to myself than to Tavlor.
We came to a halt as they reached us.
“Abigail. Horlow.” I smiled in greeting at them.
Abigail took a step closer.
“We came to say goodbye,” she said. She was still smiling that mischievous smile, sparkles in her eyes. She was always happy, no matter the circumstance.
“How did you...?” I asked, glancing from one Fae to the other. Had Tavlor told her of his plan to get me out of here?
She inclined her head. “I assumed from Tavlor’s visit that he needed to take you away from here.”
She stepped forward and wrapped me in a tight hug.
“Thank you for everything, Abigail,” I said sincerely. “I can’t really thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me since I got here.”
Abigail pulled away. “I still feel guilty about encouraging you to push yourself and reveal your power in your testing trial,” she said, bowing her head. “I... didn’t know that it would all end this way. I’m sorry.”
I pulled her in for one more hug. “I know. None of this is your fault, you know.” I stepped back so I could look her in the eye and that she knew I was being honest. “Thank you.”
Then I turned to the man who’d taught me so much since I’d arrived. “Horlow, I need to...”
He held up a hand, stopping my emotional swell of language.
“No, you don’t need to say anything. It has been a true honor to help you, Ava, and I hope that when you return, it is as the next High Warlock.”
My throat clogged up and I couldn’t speak. Horlow was the sort of man and father I had hoped for.
Maybe one day I could have a similar bond with my biological father.
“I... um...” I swallowed hard to push down the emotions. I blinked back tears. “I think we’re a long way away from that.”
He inclined his head. “Everything worth having, must be fought for.”
The locket burned my neck, and I inhaled sharply.
I took the lock in my hand. My mother’s voice echoed in my mind.
Truer words were never spoken.
Oh, now she was a Fae fan!
I dropped the locket back onto my chest, nearly rolling my eyes, and smiled up at my mentor. “Your lessons have been remarkable. Thank you. For everything.”
His lips lifted at the edges in the best smile I’d seen on his face. “Travel safely, Ava.”
He said something in Fae to Abigail and together, they turned and retreated back to the center of town. Abigail waved back at me once before they disappeared from sight.
My heart ached. “I’m going to miss them.”
Tavlor gripped my shoulder. “I know. But it is safer, for you, and them, that we leave now.”
I forced myself to turn away. I was endangering everyone the longer I stayed. And I wasn’t sure I would be able to live with myself if something happened to Abigail.