“If you need something, do that, and we’ll come.”
“I wish I could change your mind.”
Helly smiled. “You have. But the others won’t be swayed.”
Cyrene hugged Helly one more time and then Alura. “Tell Arelina I said hello,” she whispered.
Alura grinned. “I will do that.”
“And Fallon.”
“He misses you the most.”
Cyrene smiled. “How is Galanthea with him?”
She winked. “Fly Sarielle over, and I’ll show you.”
Helly and Alura headed off, and Kerrigan stayed behind. Cyrene saw something in her then that she hadn’t noticed before. Her magic was still several years from manifesting, but with a father like Kivrin Argon, it was almost guaranteed she would have it. And yet, there was something else there. Something more.
She paused over her features. Wondering if she should tell Kerrigan. If she should let Kerrigan know that she was special. Then, Cyrene remembered the weight of that responsibility. How hard it was to be special. How she had chosen sacrifice and suffering to become the Domina.
Kerrigan didn’t need that yet.
She needed to have a good childhood and grow up long before the world could catch up with her.
Kerrigan swiftly tugged her into a hug. She held Cyrene tight, tighter than ever before. Then, Kerrigan released her just as fast. It said everything she couldn’t say.
“I’m starting an academy for the gifted. If you ever want to join or just need a new home, you have one here,” Cyrene told her. “You have one with me.”
Kerrigan held her chin aloft, clearly struggling with her emotions. “Thank you.”
Then, Kerrigan hurried after Helly and Alura.
Cyrene couldn’t wait to see what great things that girl did.
77
The Departure
Two days later, Cyrene stood before the portal, preparing to send Kael away. Their numbers had dwindled considerably after the celebratory party. Nearly everyone had returned to their own countries, where much work was needed to be done, just as it was here.
“Before this all begins,” Avoca said, stepping in, “we have something to discuss with you.”
Cyrene raised an eyebrow. “Right now? Before we exile Kael?”
She nodded. Then, she linked fingers with Ahlvie on her good hand. “Ahlvie promised me a wedding in Eldora. I want you to stand at my side.”
“Oh, Avoca, of course,” Cyrene gushed. “You know that I will.”
“We’re thinking this fall. After everything has settled down back home…after…you know.”
Cyrene frowned. Avoca had received news of her mother’s passing when she sent the rest of her army back through to Eldora. She had taken it hard but knew they were already preparing for a coronation, which Cyrene also planned to attend.
“I am so sorry about your mother.”
“I’m just sorry that I couldn’t be there,” Avoca said.
“Me too.” Cyrene smiled at her and then turned her attention to Ahlvie. “Have you decided what to do with the Indres?”
He’d been debating on how to handle remaining as the alpha for the few Indres that still lived. The ones who had turned and fought at his side in the battle. Cyrene had said they were free to remain in Byern as long as they didn’t kill humans, but he’d had to check with them.
“They’re coming with us,” Ahlvie said. “They’ve lived in the Hidden Forest for years anyway. It might as well be a place that I can keep them in line.”
“And where you can run free with them, I presume.”
Ahlvie grinned devilishly. “I am but a mere mendicant, Domina,” he joked. “I would never do anything as such.”
She snorted. “Sure. And you don’t cheat at cards.”
“Just dice,” he proclaimed.
It was Avoca’s turn to scoff. “Sure.”
But their good humor was cut off short as Dean and Vera escorted Kael toward the portal. He had a bag slung over his shoulder, which some thought was going too far. That they should send him with just the clothes on his back. Cyrene hadn’t intended to kill him, so she figured at least one pack was sufficient.
Kael seemed jovial for such a day. But it was a day that he wasn’t being killed. She could hardly blame him.
The rest of the court stood witness along with Vera, who had confided that she believed Cyrene had done the right thing. She just hoped it didn’t come back to bite her in the ass.
“You have been charged with exile. We are sending you to a remote island,” Cyrene told him. “We have made contact with the locals. They will not harm you, but you will not be permitted to leave. You are free on that island. But only that island. You are able to bring with you one pack. The rest you can work for when you get there. Do you understand?”
Kael smirked at her. “I understand.”
Then a voice rang over the portal area, “Wait!”
Cyrene glanced up to see Elea running toward her. Cyrene sighed. This should be good. She snuck a look at Vera, who just nodded at her once.
“Wait,” Elea exclaimed, huffing from the pack on her own back. “I am going with him!”
“What?” Avoca demanded.
“That was not discussed,” Gwynora spat.
“Uh, is that allowed?” Aubron asked curiously.
Cyrene just sighed again. “I thought you might.”
“You…did?” Elea asked in confusion. She clearly had been prepared for Cyrene to put up a fight.
But Cyrene didn’t want to fight with her sister. She wanted her sister to be happy. And it was clear, had been clear for a while, that Kael Dremylon made her happy. Against all odds.
And from the way he looked at her when she said she was coming, he felt the same way.
“I will permit it,” Cyrene said.
Elea’s face turned buoyant.
“Under one condition.”
“What?” she asked softly.
“You never help him leave the island.”
Elea looked skeptical. “Why would I help him leave?”
“If you do help him, Elea, it will be considered treason,” Cyrene told her evenly.
Elea gulped as if just realizing what kind of penalty that would hold for her. “I won’t. I just want to live with him. I don’t care where.”
“Then, it is permitted.” She stepped forward and pulled her sister into a hug. Without anyone looking, she pressed a gold coin into Elea’s hand. “It’s just for you. He can’t come through with you. But it’s his exile, not yours. If you want to come home at any time…you can.”
Elea pulled back in surprise. “You knew I’d do this.”
“I guessed that you were plotting when you refused to speak to me.”
“And what if we have…children?” she whispered.
Cyrene smiled. “As long as they do not try to take up their father’s mantle, you’d better bring my nieces and nephews to visit me.”
Elea laughed and pulled Cyrene into another hug. “I love you. I’m so sorry that I blamed you for all of this. I was just so devastated.”
“I know. I love you, too. I wish it were all different. I wish you were staying.”