“There is magic in our world,” Claire said, thinking of Sylvia and Mathieu’s journals and Nadia’s speech. “Aunt Nadia said it was all around us.” She fumbled, trying to think of how best to articulate what she was feeling, needing to say her tenuous thought to make it whole and permanent. “Sophie, unicorns are magic, right?”

Sophie nodded ever so slightly. “And magic,” she said, reaching out to squeeze Claire’s hand, “is everywhere. If you know how to look for it.”

They were both quiet a moment, watching the inauguration banners fluttering from Woven Root’s tents, and letting thoughts drift in and out.

“Sophie?” Claire said, her voice breaking. “I’m going to miss you.”

“Me too,” Sophie said, her voice thick. “I love being your sister.” She let go of Claire’s hand and held out her arms, and Claire threw herself into them. The tears came freely.

They stood like that, the sisters of Arden, for a time. It could have been for a season; it could have been the time of Windemere or the time of Arden, but she felt as though they had stepped outside it, and they were just themselves.

Something warm nudged the backs of Claire’s knees, and she saw Gryphin had settled by her feet, and then she saw something else. Startled, she broke into laughter. All around them, where Sophie’s tears had fallen, were snowdrops.

And somewhere inside, Claire felt her sorrow break. She giggled and wiped her nose. “Imagine what people would think at school if you cried flowers everywhere!”

Sophie chuckled, dabbed at her eyes with a sleeve. “You’re going to have the most amazing Experiences.”

“Me?” Claire laughed. “You’re a unicorn!”

A smile as wide as the horizon and as bright as the dawn now breaking across the plains appeared on Sophie’s face. “I didn’t say that I wasn’t going to have amazing Experiences! There is so much to see and do and explore.”

They returned to the others, and there was one more round of hugs and promises to remember forever.

“You’ll take care of her?” Dad said, keeping his arms around his oldest daughter but looking at Aunt Nadia.

The new Prime Minister of Arden smiled. “I think it’s more like Sophie will be taking care of me—of all of us, really.”

“We love you, Sophie,” Mom said, her eyes sparkling. Then it was Claire’s turn.

“Will … will I see you again?”

“Unicorns know a lot of things,” Sophie said, “but we don’t know the future. I can tell you, though, that you’ll dream of me. Often. And when you have a sudden inspiration to draw something, it’ll be me, sharing my adventures with you. And I do know that this goodbye won’t be forever.”

“But it’s not going to be the same, is it?”