Page 50 of When Ashes Fall

“I agree,” Pierce said.

Dromon drummed his fingers on the table. “She snuck outside of the wall on me.”

“That she did,” I stated.

“She’s a caster, maybe not a night or day one, but she is a caster. That’s evident with what she’s done around here; she’s brought this place back to life in a way I never dreamed possible while the curse was in effect. Every day, I’m reminded that a caster lives with us by opening my bedroom door and seeing the healthier rosebushes in the hallway.”

“We’re all reminded of that,” Pierce said.

“I know, but for some reason, with her, I don’t mind it. I actually like the reminder. I like the bees and the flowers on the tree of unity, and there are buds on the tree of knowledge now too.”

I hadn’t known that.

“We brought a caster into our home, and she brought hope with her. I shouldn’t trust a damn thing about her, but I do. Do I think she might try to escape if given the chance? Hell yes, but none of us could blame her for that.

“She has more freedom here, but she’s still a prisoner, and we all know how horrible that is. However, I don’t think she’d do anything to harm us, and I know she wouldn’t damage the roses or trees. I trust her completely.”

Dromon was my beta, my brother not by blood but in spirit, and I trusted his opinion. I just didn’t know how to respond.

No one spoke again as I left the room.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Knox

I found Briar in the kitchen, drying dishes before handing them to Zephyr, who flew up to place them in the cabinets. The sprites chattered away, but Briar didn’t speak as she stared out the window over the sink and accepted a plate from Twist, a male sprite with yellow and orange butterfly wings and blond hair.

Merribell, the head chef, hummed as she flew around the kitchen, gathering dishes and taking them to the sink. Bertie and others flittered around, cleaning the counters and clearing the dishes.

When Bertie spotted me, she dropped her rag. She flew over to hover before me as she planted her hands on her hips. “It’s good to see that you’ve finally returned.”

“I was never far from the castle.”

Bertie huffed but didn’t say anything more. She’d been my friend since I was a child, when she’d taken me under her wing, and the wings of the other sprites. They’d provided me a sanctuary in the woods and, in some ways, become more of a family to me than my own, but Bertie was far from happy with me.

“I had to go,” I told her.

My gaze traveled to Briar; that roaring, violent need to be with her didn’t surge back to the forefront, but the beast rolled like a dog exposing its belly for rubs. It was extremely happy to see her.

Fucking asshole.

The beast purred in response. That purring grew louder when Briar looked over her shoulder and spotted us in the doorway.

Dark circles shadowed her eyes, and the pale blue veins in her hands and eyelids were clearly visible beneath skin far paler than the last time I saw her. She looked like she’d lost weight and hadn’t slept in a few days.

“What the fuck?” I muttered.

When the pot Twist gave her slipped from her hand, Zephyr dove to catch it before it hit the ground. With the pot in hand, he frowned at Briar before discovering her attention on me.

His head turned to me, and he glared for a moment before rising to place the pot on the counter. When he said something to Briar that drew her attention away from me, the beast growled.

“What’s going on?” I demanded.

“The plants aren’t the only things that require nourishment in this kingdom. Some beings shouldn’t be caged,” Bertie murmured.

I shot her an irritated look. “Why does she look so exhausted?”

“She’s been working hard on the potions⁠—”