The familiar peace of his forest surrounded him. Birds sang, wrapped up in their own little lives, free and unafraid. Sunlight shafted through the leaves. Nothing had disturbed the protection spells he’d woven through root and rock. The birds, the trees, his wards—nothing had changed.
Except himself. Everything was exactly as he’d left it, but it was all different. This private sanctuary, the haven that he’d built with his own two hands—it was no longer his home. She was his home now.
He started to kneel, but Cathy was already sliding off, helping Kevin down as well. Aodhan had expected his harness to fade away the moment she was no longer on his back… but it didn’t. Even when Cathy stepped back, turning away, the roses didn’t disappear from his neck. Her armor stayed solid too, gleaming like pearl in the sunlight.
She was strong. Stronger than Ferghal; stronger than any knight he had ever met, to be able to maintain their link even at a distance. The bond stretched between them, unbreakable as iron, and he would never be free again.
She kneeled in front of Kevin, brushing his windswept hair back from his face. “Are you all right?”
Noodle licked Kevin’s slack, dangling hand. The boy only had eyes for Cathy. Slowly, his gaze traveled over her, taking in every detail—her gold and white armor, the iron sword at her hip, the scented roses twined about her brow.
Finally, he looked into her face. His bottom lip started to tremble.
“Mom?” he whispered, and flung himself into her arms.