Page 344 of A Flame of the Phoenix

“Jakon and Marlowe won the war for us,” she said quietly.

“They’re two of the bravest people I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing.”

She took a shaky breath, but she was ready to start carrying their legacy as they would want of her. “Me too.”

Faythe rose and might have buckled from the shooting pain of her dormant muscles, but Reylan was right there, picking up every piece of her that crumbled.

He didn’t let her go as they headed toward the front door. Faythe didn’t stumble, she didn’t stall, for if she did, she might never make it out. She kept walking against every tether that had wound around her from those days in the hut, tormenting her that walking away meant letting him go.

She would never. Until her very last breath, Jakon and Marlowe would stay with her in every step she took.

The air was clearer when she stepped past the threshold of the hut, but the heavy weight of sorrow still hung. Her eyes stung from the rays of sun that split the cloudy sky, but the light that warmed her face brought her peace.

At High Farrow’s castle grounds, Faythe’s walking slowed in her complete shock.

Three Firebirds occupied the courtyard, seeming so out of place. They’d had to cramp themselves around this space that wasn’t designed for such large creatures. Faythe’s heart ached with yearning for Atherius, who was almost twice the size as all these birds, but her joy was more prominent to see the species wasn’t extinct after Atherius’s death.

Their riders stood by. Livia was one of them, catching her eye amid talking to a beautiful, tall, dark-skinned woman. Lady Samara was also with them.

“Your belief was true then,” Faythe said to her as they reached them.

“It was worth the adventure even if it wasn’t,” Livia said.

Their shared look turned to relief and gratitude before they embraced.

“We’re thinking of going back to Salenhaven, actually,” Livia informed her as they released each other.

Reylan folded his arms, emanating a protective aura. “Back to Salenhaven?”

“It’s wonderful there. I know you’ll miss me, cousin, but you’ll have your hands full as the new King Consort of Rhyenelle.” She winked at him playfully.

Faythe broke a prideful smile, and a giddy flutter broke inside her at the thought of him ruling by her side. “We?” Faythe tacked back to her, skimming her eyes over Samara.

A blush fanned across her pale cheeks when Livia’s eyes fell on her. Then, boldly, the commander drew the timid lady closer with an arm around her waist.

“You get to bond a lot with a person over months crossing the sea to another continent,” Livia mused.

Samara’s face reddened more, but Livia kissed her cheek, then her mouth when it opened to speak.

Faythe smiled broadly, giving them privacy by shifting her attention to the woman beside them who’d come from far west.

“How many Firebirds live in Salenhaven?”

“Only two dozen or so. The Phoenixes come from a faraway island called Embercrest. I only recently learned they originate from your kingdom. It is not taught in our history books. My name is Rhiannon Garrikson. I was a supreme commander of the Phoenix rider academy on the island.”

Faythe’s mouth fell open in shock at hearing of the island.

A riding academy.

The concept sounded so wonderful she couldn’t believe it.

“I would love to visit someday,” Faythe said.

“It is very far. I hope you have wings.”

Faythe smiled to herself. She didn’t know if her Phoenix wings would stop being accessible someday without access to Phoenixfyre, but exchanging a warm look with Reylan, she knew they had other means.

“Thank you for coming to our aid,” Faythe said. “We’re indebted to you.”

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