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Sure enough, people dipped inside the shops’ open doors, returning with their hands full. The overgrown plants and taste of salt sprinkling the air brought life to the once abandoned town. Sleeria didn’t bear the same heavy scars as Bilya, but one glance told Thicket that her people still carried them. They moved cautiously, constantly checking over their shoulders and jumping at every small rustle and bob of water. When they spotted Thicket, uncertainty flickered across their faces, as though they weren’t sure how to react to her. Her chest constricted. She guessed it didn’t matter that she had saved them from the wall. Lavender had driven them from their homes because they continued to follow her. All they could probably think about was what Lavender would do to punish them next.

A group of children huddled around a fountain situated in the center of the courtyard. Perched on the ledge of the off-white stone was a girl, her short auburn hair tied back with a crimson headband.

Bern.

“When can we go home?” one of the children asked. He looked familiar with his pale blond hair and blue eyes, but Thicket couldn’t quite place why.

“I don’t like it here.” Another child with dark skin and tightly woven curls cast a furtive glance at the open sky, as though waiting for something to descend upon them.

“Aww, it’s okay guys,” Bern said, clasping her hands and bending to become eye level with the children. “There’s no need to be scared. You know why?” They leaned in, their round eyes adopting more curiosity than fear. Bern dove for the children, arms outstretched. “Because I’ll scoop you all up and carry you away to safety!”

Some of the children laughed. Others squealed and curled their bodies in tight.

“No! Don’t take us away.”

“It’s too scary!”

“We want to go home.”

Thicket’s heart clenched. She ducked her head, letting her hair fall to cover her face. “We should head back,” she said. Elian’s brows creased, but he nodded, guiding her the way they had come.

One of the children got up on top of the fountain. He had the same blond hair as the first boy but he was far from timid as he lifted his chin high and announced, “Don’t be scared! Princess Thicket will save us!”

Thicket’s chest swelled.

“She will?” the other children asked.

“My sister says so,” the boy said, putting his hands on his hips and grinning proudly.

“That’s right!” Bern said. “Princess Thicket is crazy strong. Just you wait.”

“Look!” one of the children said. “There she is!”

Bern followed the direction the kid had pointed. Her entire face brightened. “Kit!” The next thing she knew, Bern was racing across the closest bridge and tackling Thicket in a hug. Thicket’s body winced in protest, but she couldn’t help but squeeze her friend back.

“Oh! Sorry, I forgot.” She gestured at Thicket. “Injuries and all.”

“It’s okay.” She had barely gotten the words out before the children swarmed her, squealing “Kit!” Before launching themselves at her one by one. Thicket grunted, staggering under their weight.

“Kit, Kit, Kit!” the children chorused.

The parents nearby looked horrified. Some ran forward, ready to scoop the kids up, but Thicket held out a hand, signaling it was okay as the children pinned her to the ground. Her laughter sounded more like a wheeze as they crawled on top of her, shoving their faces into hers.

“Can you really save us?” one of the children asked, eyes wide and hopeful.

“Do you know when we can go home?”

Thicket swallowed, remembering the way the vines had smashed through the farmhouse. “It’s… going to be a while before we get to go home.”

“Why?”

She couldn’t help but glance over at the people clustered in the courtyard. They did their best not to stare, but she felt their eyes watching. Thicket had no memories of being a sibling. She was totally out of her league with these kids, but she wanted to be someone worthy of admiration and, if she could, hopefully give them a little peace of mind.

“Because my sister wants to punish me,” she said, lifting up one of the children, setting her down so she could sit up, “and the best way to punish me is to punish you.” She set her jaw. “But I won’t let her do that anymore.”

A girl with black hair wiped at her eyes. “I’m scared.”

Would it be selfish of me to say I’m scared?