She put her hand on his cheek and it was then that Wesley realized for the first time just how much taller she was than him. And how suddenly he was not only a big brother, but that he had a big sister, too.

For the first time, he had someone to look up to and rely on. Someone whose job it was to have his back.

“Stay safe, Wesley,” she said.

“Sounds boring.”

Saxony rolled her eyes. “Stay boring, then.”

Wesley grinned. “Never.”

45

TAVIA

The Crook still stood, and aside from a few scrapes and bruises to the old clock tower, it looked as beautiful as ever.

“You’ll miss the train,” Wesley said, half-joking. “I think the next one to Volo is coming soon.”

He strolled over to her, and though Tavia didn’t turn to see him, she felt the moment he was by her side. Wesley made the air around him charged, both with magic and something else that Tavia couldn’t explain, but that she could feel in her very bones.

“You’re going to need a reopening party for this place,” Tavia said. “If you’re finished saving the world, that is.”

“There’s a lot to take care of now that I’m a big hero,” Wesley said. “Including throwing some great parties.”

Tavia all but snorted. “A few free shots and some bottles of Cloverye and people will be lining up around the corner again. A place for the hopeless to lift their spirits.”

“I hope so,” Wesley said. “It’s strange to have this place so empty.”

She felt it too.

The streets weren’t bustling or electrified by the laughter and wonder of tourists, and the Crook wasn’t thumping with music and magic tricks. It felt like the heart of the city had wilted somewhat, but Tavia knew that it would flower again.

Creije had always been a place for the dreamers, where the lost were found and the lonely realized the world could be a comforting place. That in a city that didn’t close its eyes or turn off its lights, there really wasn’t a place to feel like you were on your own.

It wasn’t just a city, it was a family.

A family of wanderers looking to find their next adventure.

There was no way that Creije wouldn’t return to its former glory, especially with Tavia and Wesley there to fight for it.

“So,” Wesley said. “Volo. When are we going?”

We.

Tavia hadn’t known that such a small word could feel so big. So wonderful.

“Volo was always the plan,” she said.