Page 37 of Queen of Thorns
The bittersweetness of going home, gaining what I’ve truly wanted since I was a child, means losing something I didn’t know I needed until I had it. The sprites squeal and cheer, and their cool magic tickles over my head and shoulder and back and legs.
Rev pulls away, leaving me breathless. He too is covered in little wisps of shadows. His smile is smug. “I think they liked that too.” He holds up his arm to examine two of the little creatures holding tightly to him.
“What was that for?” I ask, still in a daze. My chest is buzzing as much as the shadow sprites. Fluttering and wonderful.
Rev’s smile fades quickly, and his eyes turn intense. “I love you, Caelynn.”
I suck in another breath, mind dizzy.
“And we don’t get many chances to do this. We probably won’t have many more.” The pad of his thumb drifts over my jaw. “I just didn’t want to let another opportunity pass by.”
I try and fail to hold back a bashful smile. “I still can’t convince myself that I deserve this.”
He grips my chin between firm fingers. “You do,” he swears fiercely. “You deserve so much more than I can give you.” He kisses me again, quick and soft.
Then, Rev links his hand back in mine and tugs me to continue our stroll through the Whisperwood. The sprites follow along behind, like a little train of fans.
“I love you too, you know?”
His smile is amused. “I know.”
We continue to walk the final mile through the forest, shadow sprites and phantoms alike following along inside the tree line. When we finally reach the last tree, I stop.
Down below, past the valley and field of tiny black flowers, the village is visible. Smoke puffs up from a few chimneys, but otherwise it’s still. Just a few dozen rows of rickety old cottages.
“Is this it?” Rev asks.
I nod. My heart is heavy, stiff. Fear and pain and regret and hope and nostalgia, and many more emotions I couldn’t name, weigh down on me. “This is the village I grew up in.”
Rev
We pass the CracklingCourt carriage in the valley just before the village. Charles smiles and waves as we pass. We’re taking a bit of advantage of these fae, but they don’t seem to mind waiting for us to enjoy our small moments between. I’ll have to show them my appreciation later.
The trip from Crackling Court to the Shadow Court would normally take at least two days, but we took a shortcut through a portal to the east of the Crystal Court which cut the trip into less than half. Even without detour, we hope to be at the Shadow palace before sundown.
“This is where my classes were,” Caelynn says, pointing to a large tree in the middle of the field.
