Page 49 of When Ashes Fall

“I’d like to go hunting today,” Lyra said.

“Go ahead,” I told her. “Where’s Briar?”

“She’s been eating breakfast and all of her meals with the sprites.”

“Since when?”

“Since the arrival of the tribunal and your…”

Lyra was thinking of a way to phrase my disappearance that wouldn’t upset me. My temper hadn’t been the best of late, and unfortunately, my pack had borne the brunt of it.

“Hunting expedition,” Pierce said.

“I see,” I murmured. “How are the three of you?”

“We’re fucking fantastic,” Dromon muttered.

They were the same as me, but healing… gradually. Despite the reopened wounds, there were signs of hope in Wildwood.

“I saw the tree of unity is blooming,” I commented.

Lyra perked up at this. “There were some bees in the great hall yesterday, and silkfangs have found their way into Wildwood.”

I’d almost forgotten all about bees and spiders with everything else going on, but excitement leapt at the mention of their return.

“Amazing,” I murmured.

“The roses are looking much better too,” Pierce said. “Briar asked if she could go into town tomorrow to attend some of the ones there, but I told her not without your permission. The sprites are taking care of them, so it’s not urgent for her to go.”

I should let her check on those plants too. The sprites had managed to keep the roses alive, but they were thriving under Briar’s care.

I had to stop being an idiot and get my shit together if I was going to save my kingdom. Soon enough, I’d see Marina again at the next tribunal meeting; when I did, I couldn’t let her rattle me like this. Otherwise, I’d never destroy her.

A plate of food sat at the head of the table for me, but I didn’t touch it. I was sure Bertie placed it there.

“I’ll take her into town,” I said. “I don’t want her out there alone with everything going on. With an escort, she can go into town.”

“Without you?” Dromon asked.

My teeth ground together as I pondered this. I trusted all of them with my life, but I didn’t want Briar out there without me. However, this wasn’t about me. It was about what was best for the kingdom.

“I will be informed before she leaves,” I said.

The good of my kingdom only went so far when it came to her.

“Fair enough,” Lyra said.

“I’ll find her,” I said.

I turned to leave, but Lyra’s voice stopped me. “We like her, Knox. Not in the beginning, of course, but she’s grown on us. Somehow, she makes it easy to forget who her mother is.”

“That’s part of what worries me about her,” I muttered.

“What does that mean?” Dromon asked.

My head swiveled toward them. “You like her, but do you trust her?”

The three of them exchanged looks. “Probably more than I should,” Lyra admitted.