Jaren was surprised by this stranger’s generosity. A holdover from spending most of his life in a city, he supposed. “My mother passed away. But I’m sure my father and sisters will appreciate it. Thank you.”

“Oh, we’re sorry to hear that, aren’t we, Oskar?” She elbowed her husband, and he coughed, nodding.

“Indeed. Very sorry. What brought you to Bricklebury?”

As Jaren explained how Klaus had invited them to move here after his mother’s death, he stole glances at Lupin, who had gone back to selling honey to other customers. He wondered if she’d figured out why he came to talk to her and felt ashamed for thinking of her as nothing more than a curiosity. Whoever she’d been before, it was clear Oskar and Marta were her parents now, and Endla was likely a part of her past she didn’t care to dwell on.

As Oskar and Marta returned to their customers, Jaren thanked them again and started off to look for his sister. A moment later, he felt a hand on his arm and turned to find Lupin standing there.

“Did you really go to Lake Luma?” she asked, her green eyes searching his face.

He nodded. “It was a ridiculous bet to protect my sister.” He decided it wasn’t necessary to include the part about protecting himself. “I didn’t mean anything by it.”

“I suppose you heard I’m from Endla, then?”

There was no sense in lying now. “Lars told me.”

She twisted her lips to the side, considering, and nodded. “Well, then. I suppose you have questions. Come with me.”

Chapter Thirteen

The day of Tate’s departure had finally arrived, and Leelo wasn’t sure how she would survive it. Fiona hadn’t moved from her bed since dinner with the Hardings, and Ketty and Sage had done all of the chores, leaving Leelo to care for her mother and Tate.

The boat would leave at dusk, which seemed unnecessarily cruel. Tate and the others would have to navigate an unfamiliar forest in the dark.

“Stay with Violet and Bizhan as long as you can,” Leelo told him as she finished tying up his bundle. He had few possessions to take with him aside from clothing and his bow and arrows, but Leelo had packed him enough food to last a week, if he was sparing. “Violet is going to be terrified, and I imagine Bizhan is, too.”

Tate nodded. “I will.”

Leelo considered asking him again what their mother had told him. If she was so certain he would be safe out there, why was she unable to leave her bed? But Leelo wouldn’t pry. If her mother wanted her to know, she’d have told her herself.

“I’m so sorry, Tate,” Leelo said, trying not to cry.

“Why should you be sorry?” he asked. “This isn’t your fault.”