He wanted the best for his people, just like I wanted the best for mine.
Jillian rode behind me, and Driscoll sat atop his horse, which trotted next to ours. At Jillian’s insistence, we went at a slower pace, and I didn’t argue, afraid she and Driscoll would chain me to my bed if I pushed too much.
I glanced at Driscoll, who was humming, smiling.
“What’s got you in such a good mood?”
“Just a handsome fellow named Kohl.” He shot me a look. “You might know him as Wayfinder.”
“But he has a boyfriend!”
“Not anymore.” Driscoll winked, and I gasped.
“Well, that’s scandalous, you rogue.”
He and Jillian just laughed.
“Thank you two, for everything,” I said. “For standing by my side throughout all of this. Without you, I’d be completely alone.”
Driscoll gave me a pointed look. “I think we all know that’s not true.”
My stomach fluttered. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“He came everyday you were sick,” Driscoll said. “He held your hand and talked to you. He wouldn’t let anyone near you, insisted on bathing you and dressing you and feeding you. He slept in the chair next to your bed. He only finally left when his thieves came and told him he needed to eat and drink and preferably bathe because he was beginning to smell like a sewer rat. You woke up a few hours after he finally left your side.”
Jillian stiffened behind me, and my heart hammered in my chest. Penn had come for me?
Driscoll threw out his hands. “Oh, come on. We can’t keep dancing around the subject. He’s in love with you. You’re in love with him. Your love literally saved our court.”
I stilled at that. “What are you talking about, Driscoll? Our love? What does that even mean?” I narrowed my eyes at him. “Did you hit your head or something?”
“No, I didn’t. I’m just the only one willing to tell you the truth.”
“She just woke up,” Jillian said. “I figured we’d give her at least twenty-four hours before dropping huge, life-shattering truths on her.”
Our horses arrived at the border, and Jillian and Driscoll hopped off, then helped me down.
The border stood tall, vines writhing and jabbing out at us, branches rustling at our movement. I couldn’t believe my father had created this, and I wasn’t sure exactly how to destroy something so huge and monstrous. I’d have to consult with the council now. My council. It felt good knowing I’d have people to rely on.
I turned to Jillian and Driscoll and motioned for them to sit beside me, far enough away from the wall that it couldn’t eat us.
“It’s time to tell me what happened.” I looked at Jillian before she could protest. “Driscoll’s right. I can’t be coddled right now. I need the truth so I can move forward.”
“Penn kissed you, and it was the most romantic thing I’ve seen in my life,” Driscoll burst out, words running together so I almost didn’t understand him. “You held that vial of dark magic in your hand, and you were unconscious, but then Penn kissed you, and some light burst from you both and your hand twitched and you somehow popped the top off that vial.”
My mouth had dropped open. “What?” I shook my head. “Okay, you definitely hit your head on something.”
“He’s telling the truth,” Jillian said. “We all saw it. It was so weird, but somehow Penn kissing you triggered something that broke open the vial and set all our stolen magic free.”
My chest tightened. “Then what happened?”
Driscoll jumped to his feet, jabbing out his hand. “Penn leapt over your body and drove his sword through your stepmother, killing her.” He twirled around, wielding an imaginarysword. “Then the magic started spreading, color returning to everything, leaves perking back up, the moss and inky vines disappearing.” He kneeled down. “And Penn dropped down and scooped you up, then cradled you into his big, strong chest.” Driscoll wrapped his arms around himself. “What I wouldn’t give to be held like that.”
“Focus,” Jillian said.
“Right, and then we took you to your room, and Penn brought healer after healer to look after you.”
I stared at Driscoll, unable to speak, rooted to my spot by his words. “Are you telling me Penn’s kiss healed me? That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.”
