According to their culture, the children of Endla became adults during their year as Watchers. But Leelo didn’t feel grown-up, and she certainly didn’t feel ready to have children. She frowned and turned to look in the mirror. The swan crown, which her mother had helped make, started at the front of Leelo’s hairline and swept down like two wings to the back of her head, just above her plait. The berries were clustered like blue jewels at the front of the crown.

Her new dress had been made to flatter her complexion, the wool dyed in soft tones from the pale sky of her eyes to the wintergreen of snow-covered pines. A pattern of snowflakes, winter-white foxes, and silver pinecones decorated the skirt; the collar, cuff, and hem were trimmed in soft white rabbit fur.

“You look like the Snow Maiden,” Sage said from the doorway. Her own dress was woven in autumnal shades, with tawny deer, russet squirrels holding hazel acorns, and golden oak leaves decorating the fabric. A small capelet made of deer hide was tied over her shoulders. She had already donned her antler crown, the red berries bright against the tines.

Leelo smiled and took Sage’s hand, leading her downstairs. They were both too anxious to eat much, so Aunt Ketty gave them a breakfast of toasted bread and blackberry jam.

“Careful not to stain your dresses,” she said. “Our mother wasn’t nearly as good at sewing as Fiona, and you’ll want to save those for your own daughters.”

Sage rolled her eyes. Her maternal instincts, if she had any, had yet to surface. Both girls had been there for Tate’s birth, but while Leelo had been in awe of her mother’s strength and the quiet assuredness of the midwife, Sage had seen only blood and pain.

“Yes, Aunt Ketty,” Leelo said. The truth was, she didn’t know if she wanted children. But Endlans had a responsibility to maintain their population, not only to keep their magic alive, but as protectors of the last Wandering Forest. At least she had a few more years before she would be expected to marry.

“Come on,” Sage said, shoving aside her half-eaten breakfast. “We don’t want to be late.”

Tate peered at Leelo from behind the door to his little room below the stairs and gave a shy wave. Leelo waved back, feigning cheerfulness. She had often fantasized about keeping him on the island, even if his magic didn’t come. They would build a little house on the far side, where few islanders went, and Leelo would visit him every day.

But she knew now that was no kind of life for Tate. He would be miserable all by himself. The best she could hope for was that he would find other exiled Endlans to live with so he wouldn’t lose touch with his home completely.