Princess Willowyn's Arc

Chapter 35 of 70

Three days' ride. Willowyn traced the line with her finger and felt her heart lift. Kai was close. She rolled the map and turned to find Raven at the door, arms crossed, watching her. "You already packed," Raven said. It was not a question. The green fox sat at her boots, its vines shifting as it breathed. She had risen before dawn and gathered her own things too, but her bags were set apart from Willowyn's. Willowyn saw the two piles and understood. "You're not coming." Raven picked up her pointed hat and turned it in her hands. She did not put it on. "I've been at your side over a year now," she said. "I taught you water. You taught yourself the rest." Her voice stayed flat, but she kept her eyes down. "I want to see my mother. I grew up in a tower with her and she is still there waiting for me." Willowyn's chest tightened. Raven had unlocked doors for her. Raven had steered the griffin across three days of open sea while Willowyn held the water road. Raven had caught her when she collapsed. "You could ride with me to the land first," Willowyn said. "Then go." "No." Raven set the word down like a stone. Then, softer, "You don't need me to find him. You held back a river. You healed a dying boy with light I never knew you had." She finally looked up. "You're stronger than I hoped for. My part is done." Willowyn wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. She would not pretend she wasn't sad. "I understand," she said. "I don't like it. But I understand. And I want you to go." She crossed the room and pulled Raven into a tight hug. Raven stood stiff for a breath, then held on. The fox pressed against both their legs. When they broke apart, Willowyn knelt and stroked the green fur one last time. "Take care of her," she told Raven. "She was mine before she was yours." "I know." Raven crouched and let the fox climb into her cape. She stood and settled her hat on her head at last. "Go north for Kai. I go home." She paused at the door. "When you bring peace to these lands, I'll hear of it. Even in my tower." Then she was gone down the stone stair, the fox's green tail vanishing after her. Willowyn stood alone with her packs. The pale minx wound around her ankles and looked up. She lifted the small white animal to her shoulder. "Just us now," she said. She shouldered her bags and went out to the griffin waiting in the yard. The silver saddle caught the morning light. She climbed on, alone for the first time, and turned the griffin north toward the ridge and Ashowaye's camp.