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Thicket shook her head. “That doesn’t make any sense. If he left right after me, why didn’t we cross paths?”

Her phoenix cooed softly, shifting in the space beside her heart. That’s right… She stopped by the Sculptor’s Dam on her way to Minloc. If Marcellus had been intent on catching up to her, he would have passed right by it—beating her to the castle and walking straight into Lavender’s grasp.

Her fists balled. The infuriating, stubborn—

A knock sounded at the door. “Please excuse the intrusion,” a voice said before stepping inside. Caspian greeted her with a smile. “Hello, Miss Vogeli.”

“Caspian!”

“Someone else is excited to see you, as well.”

A blur of gray darted from behind Caspian, pouncing on top of Thicket and slathering her with wet kisses. She laughed, wrapping her arms around Bayo’s neck and inhaling her scent. “I missed you, too.”

The space her phoenix occupied grew hotter, almost searing. Don’t worry, Thicket reassured it. I have enough room in my heart for both of you.

The heat eased to a gentle caress.

Lotta rose from her position beside Thicket’s bed. “I will prepare you a bath, Your Highness,” she said, sweeping into a bow before disappearing into the bathroom, giving Caspian and Thicket space.

Caspian smoothed the lapels of his coat as he took a seat on the edge of Thicket’s bed. “How are you?”

Thicket stroked Bayo’s head absentmindedly. A billion different words came to mind. “Tired. Sore. Confused.” Her brain still felt like it was catching up, taking in everything that had happened since she stepped foot in that throne room. All the revelations and emotions that came with them were woven so tightly in her mind, she knew it would be days if not weeks until she could sort them all out.

Caspian placed a hand over hers, gripping it fiercely. “But you did it. You saved us.”

It still didn’t feel real. A part of her was still convinced she was asleep, living out her days in the Dream World under some false guise of victory. But the warmth in Caspian’s hand felt real. She remembered another time, before she knew who he was. He had sat beside her, just like this, and held her hand as he poured all of his unwavering belief into her.

She had come so far since those initial dreams. When she didn’t know just how close she was to home.

“Wait…” It hadn’t occurred to her before, but Caspian was in Minloc. So was Lotta—and the guards who escorted Lavender away. But… They had been in Sleeria. Or at least, they should have been. “What are you all doing here?”

Caspian smiled, as though he had been waiting for her to realize. “We came to help you fight.”

“You… But Dymree—”

“Never came. Not once King Artus learned you had failed to secure Alouette.”

“Then how?”

“Your wolf did more than just keep Lotta’s brothers company.”

Thicket followed his gaze to Bayo, sleeping soundly across her lap.

“You see, Lotta’s brothers developed a game where they waited on the opposite end of a clearing and raced to the wolf while its back was turned. But if it looked their way, they had to freeze or else the wolf would ensnare them in its hold. However, if they could break its control, then they could keep running without consequence. More and more children joined until it drew the attention of the parents, who notified me.

“We had the soldiers practice with Bayo, breaking free of her control. When Lotta came to tell us you were going to Minloc alone, we left immediately. The Soumort Princess’ army intercepted us, however instead of fighting their numbers, we held the soldiers off while those with yellow fire sought the wolves, challenging their control and breaking their hold over the animals.”

“But there are so many. How could you possibly outlast them?”

“We were in a tough position,” Caspian said, “and were about to consider withdrawing when all of a sudden every single animal froze, as though in a trance. Then, all at once, they scattered across the hills.”

“Enola…” Thicket said. She hadn’t seen the wolf in the throne room after she had woken up. And Marcellus had somehow broken free from her control. “If the animals fled, that must mean she…”

“Marcellus is the only one who can confirm what truly happened, but he has yet to wake. But yes. Once she was removed from the picture, we had a clear path to the castle. By the time we arrived, you had already bested the Soumort Princess.”

Thicket closed her eyes. It truly was over. Her eyes flew open. “Bern and Elian—”

“Are already being sent home. We found a few phoenix feathers in her possession, which was enough to prove to the Emperor that she was the one responsible. The Council negotiated that the Soumort Princess’ execution will serve as penance for both her crimes against the Desert Kingdom—and against Vindrya.”