Page 149 of Spar of Hearts

“You won’t. You can do this. I know you can,” Anya said. Her voice wavered, but the truth of her words didn’t.

Tears welled in Blackbird’s eyes as she looked at Anya, then at Agnes, nodding wordlessly.

Agnes hummed approvingly, then turned to Sir Oshfeldt. “And you?”

“What do you think?” Roderick asked.

Sir Oshfeldt glanced at Blackbird with a melancholy smile, surely aware that he’d lost the valiant quest for her heart even without an opponent. It was time to let her fly.

He looked pointedly at Roderick. “I think someone has to mind the knights now that you’re a seadog, sir.”

Roderick smiled. “There’s no one better for the job.”

“Then it’s settled.” Agnes looked outside, where the sun was hitting high noon. “Ah. It looks like your ship should arrive soon. I sent my envoy to bring them back for you.” She stood, and the rest of them followed suit. “As for the stones, keep them as our show of goodwill. And as for Lady Rowan”—she turned to address her—“the next session at the Tower begins in three days, so time is of the essence. I will give you until sundown to say your goodbyes.”

“I think that’s everything,” Sir Oshfeldt said, setting Blackbird’s luggage onto the back of the carriage. The hippogriff at the head brayed at the sudden thump. Seagulls cried overhead in the bustling port.

“Ready to go, Miss?” the driver asked.

“Just a moment,” Blackbird called. She exchanged a quick goodbye with Sir Oshfeldt, who bid her farewell with a cordial kiss to the backs of her fingers.

When she came around to the side of the carriage, Anya pulled her into a tight embrace. The rush of Blackbird’s familiar scent and warmth made the reality of losing her best friend slam into her.

“Thank you,” Anya said softly, “for being so much more than my lady-in-waiting.”

Blackbird exhaled a shuddering breath. “Thank you for being my family.”

They held each other for a long moment. When Anya finally pulled away, she memorized every inch of Blackbird’s face, from the delicate braids framing her dimpled cheeks to the deep hue of her kind, violet eyes.

The hippogriff stirred again, kicking a hoof against the cobblestone.

“Your driver is waiting.” Anya walked Blackbird to the carriage and helped her up beside the driver. Of course, she wanted to sit up there instead of in the carriage. She had a whole kingdom to see.

Anya’s chest hitched with an audible sob as Blackbird smiled a smile she could see a thousand more times and never tire of, along with the infectious joy that carried Anya through so many difficult times.

“Don’t cry, My Lady,” Blackbird said. “Just think! You’ll be sailing the ocean tomorrow and fighting sea monsters next week!”

“Sea monsters aren’t real, Blackbird.” Anya chuckled weakly.

“Maybe. Maybe not. But I’m going to find out! Either way, before you know it, the years will have flown by. I'll be a talented mage, and you’ll be on your way to pick me up right at this very port!”

Anya sniffed and wiped her eyes. “Not a day later.”

“I’m counting on it.”

“Yah!” the driver called, gently goading the reigns.

Anya and Blackbird exchanged somber smiles, waving as the carriage clacked down the road and out of sight. She kept staring into the distance until Roderick’s brawny arms swept her off her feet, carrying her toward the Lupus Star. Her sorrow mellowed out to a bittersweetness as she brushed her cheek on his, feeling his strong, steady breath right alongside hers.

Roderick stopped short of the gangplank and looked pointedly at her feet.

“Let’s get these damned things off you.” He gingerly slipped the tight shoes off, hurling them into the water with a satisfying splash.

“Ah.” Anya sighed. Instant relief hit her, and her eyes nearly rolled back as she flexed her toes. “Oh stars, that’s good.”

Roderick gave her ear a little nibble. “There’s more where that came from.”

“Later,” Anya crooned, trailing a claw under his chin as he crossed the gangplank, savoring the hypnotized, lovestruck look in his eyes. “Can’t let the full moon go to waste.”