16

Lord Varick reopened the salt mines, and Freudendorf once again made trade deals with neighboring villages and towns. Wealth returned to the valley, and the people were finally able to set about making repairs and improvements. Of course, the town’s true nature remained a guarded secret, a haven for those in need…

Rosen turned in place, surveying the fresh paint, new wood, and flower planters of the buildings around the town square. There was a sweet scent to the spring air.

“My lady?” Varick offered her his arm. She took it, using her stump arm.

“We’ll see you tomorrow, Lord Disteldorn, Lady soon-to-be Disteldorn! The new fountain should be finished by then.” Gasto bowed to them, flashing a smile.

His parents, he’d remembered, had been taken away during human riots in a neighboring country, and their servants had disguised him and brought him here to hide with his family’s old friends: the Disteldorns.

“Finding real love would be nice,” he had told her, after the Kalt incident. “Maybe I’ll wait for it, as you did.”

She rubbed his shoulder, after Varick had healed her hand. “There’s a girl out there just perfect for you. You’ll bump into each other, one day. You’ll see.”

Now, Varick helped her into the carriage, and the black stallion unicorn followed the road to the uphill path.

Rosen watched out the window as the castle rose into view ahead. Workers were busy about the windows and doors, replacing rotted wood and clearing off mold from stone walls. Already the place looked much brighter, even if it kept its gothic design.

Varick hurried to check on the gardens as soon as he changed clothes, and she laughed, following after him. Ever since he’d planted pumpkin seeds, he’d been worrying over his pumpkin patch in the garden. Now he bent over, inspecting the leaves and the tiny beginnings of tendrils. “Do they need more water? More sunlight? No…ah, I don’t know! I’m better at growing mushrooms than pumpkins.” He scratched at his head.

Fee-ee! The red thistle pixit flittered past them, giggling.

“It’ll be fine.” Rosen laughed, patting his back. “Just show a little patience.”

She walked over to where rose vines were starting to bloom, covering an arched tunnel trellis. Sunlight dappled the path through the trellis bars, and the mix of red and purple roses smelled sweet as perfume.

“At least these seem to be doing well,” said Varick, coming alongside her, taking in the view of the garden-like tunnel.

His fingers entwined with hers and he pressed a kiss to her cheek. “You’ve brought so much life to this place, and to me,” he said. “I should berate you for shortening your lifespan for my sake, but…I’m so happy, being able to be with you again.”

Rosen flashed a smile. “It’s worth it. Besides, we share the same lifespan now, so even if it is shorter, at least we’ll stay together. Which reminds me, I hope the church’s repairs hurry up. Our official wedding day is in two weeks!”

Varick laughed. “What was it you just told me: have patience?”

She shoved his shoulder playfully.

Someone coughed, and they both turned and looked down.

There stood Schatten at the edge of the trellis tunnel, his shadowy suit faded under the bright noon sun. He shuffled forward just a bit, moving into the shade. “I heard of your generous offer and came to…discuss it,” he said, not meeting their gazes.

Varick stepped forward. “Schatten, I haven’t forgotten what you said, or how you felt. I was an unkind master to you, and for that I am sorry. Just because your family served me doesn’t mean you should have to as well. This valley is meant to be a haven for vempars, for Altered, and that includes nymiads too.” He pulled out a document and handed it down to Schatten. “The southern foothills of the valley are now for the nymiads. I trust you can oversee matters there, and make a suitable home for your kind?”

Schatten took the document slowly, a tremor in his hands. “You’re…you’re really doing this for us?”

Varick inclined his head.

Schatten’s purple eyes moistened. “Thank you. Thank you.” He turned so that they couldn’t see his sleeve wipe his face. “Nymiads will finally have a safe place they can belong.” He hugged the paper to his chest, turned around and bowed quickly before he hurried to leave.

“Ah, Schatten,” Varick called out, and the nymiad paused, looking back. “You’d better be at our wedding—it’s my last order, as your former master. It wouldn’t be the same without all of those who helped raise me.”

Schatten’s purple smile flashed. “I suppose, if you insist.”

Licht peeked around a corner as Schatten left. “It was awfully kind of you to forgive his betrayal, Master,” he said.

Varick patted his foggy shoulder with affection. “His parents died fighting Kalt to protect me. This was the least I could do. And besides, we’re all family in the end.” He wrapped his other arm around Rosenrot. “And I cannot wait to add one more to it, in two weeks.”

Rosen grinned, glancing down at the ring on her finger: a diamond in the shape of a rose.

THE END