Kaye lay tucked against Bryant that night, her ankle trapped between his, her body pressed against him all the way to his face that was buried in her hair. His breath was warm and even, but not shallow enough for him to be asleep. Neither spoke, but held each other against the dark, and the day that held the unknown.

When the pre-dawn began to lighten the doorway, Kaye squeezed his arm against her chest. "Celeste is wrong. I won’t leave you."

Bryant nodded against her. Did that mean he agreed? Or did he believe Celeste? Why would Aleda give her so much love and then ask her to abandon it? That was not the behavior of a Mother. Aleda was love.

They lay like that, clinging to each other, until the priestesses sang up the sun. Then Bryant slowly unwrapped himself from Kaye and stood. "We need to go, or we will not make it by nightfall."

"I know." Kaye stood and grabbed her bag. She tucked it between her wings and looked around the small cave that had become home. "I'll be back," she said, trying to believe it.

Bryant took her hand, and they flew out the door silently. They landed on the cliff and Kaye was almost knocked over by Elett. Kaye squeezed her tight.

"I will come see you someday," Elett said.

Kaye smiled. "I'll be back. It's only a few days."

Elett looked at her with those big, brown silkie-eyes that couldn't lie. "I will come see you."

Kaye put her down and looked at Celeste, who had followed Elett over soberly.

"I am sorry," Celeste said and bowed formally.

Kaye touched her shoulder and grabbed her hand when she rose. "Thank you for healing me and giving me a place to live. I’ll see you again."

Celeste nodded. "Yes, I believe you will." She turned away and pulled Elett with her.

Kaye sighed—her relationship with Celeste would never be the same. She grabbed Bryant's hand and squeezed it. "Let's go."

It was noon by the time they reached the pass. The snow was gone except for the highest peaks, and the South River roared through with the snow melt. But the path was clear, and they began through.

The further they went, the less dread Kaye felt at the prospect of going home. The Faye land, for all that she loved it, wasn't the same as being home. Knowing the faces, the surroundings, even the threats, was better than having to learn them all over for a new place. She would see her sister before dark and introduce Bryant to the mother he had never met. Kaye still worried about what Celeste said, but it was buried under the promise of home.

As the end of the pass neared, Kaye ran until Camden Valley came into view beneath her. She was home.

She turned to Bryant and held her hand out with a smile. When he took it and stepped next to her, she faced home.

"Bryant Conal, welcome to Camden Valley. Home of the Seven Tribes of Aleda."

They couldn't see the entire valley yet, just the southern tip of it, and he pointed to a village in sight just beyond the trees. "Is that Fie Eoin?"

"Fie Bradach, where my mother grew up. Fie Eoin is much larger. Come, it won't take long now."

She released his hand and started down the mountainside to home.