Then the plant grew. Budding shoots sprouted out from hidden seeds, the fruits growing plump. Vines wrapped around a rapidly forming trunk, which rose out of the sands until a fully formed tree was splayed proudly before us. Silver leaves fanned from multiple branches, rich and bright against the glare of the Drychta sun.

“The Sacred Tree,” Lord Khalad whispered.

The Dark asha dropped a hand to her side. She was deathly pale now, her black heartsglass pulsing erratically against her breast. Lord Kalen held tightly to his lover, face strained as his own strength battled to support hers a little longer. Lady Zoya began to cry.

“I have to finish this,” the Dark asha murmured, feverish. “You understand, don’t you, Fox? I can’t stay here. Not like this, not after knowing who I am, not after what they did to Kalen. But I wanted to make sure you could. Are you still angry at me, Fox? About the wars, about Daisy?”

Weeping now, Lord Fox lifted her hands to his mouth and kissed them. “I’ve always loved you, Tea. Even though I was too foolish to show it. There must be something else…”

“I had months to understand that there is nothing else. Don’t you see, Fox? I’m happy. This is what I want. Zoya, it won’t do Shadi any good to see you blubbering on like this.”

“You fool,” the other asha sobbed. “They will write songs about you, even if your bard will not.”

“I will.” My own words were choked, wrung from my throat. “I will honor you, milady. I will spend the rest of my life singing.”

“Perhaps one day you will do more than sing, Your Highness.” She focused on the Heartforger. “Khalad. She will be safe now.”

There were tears in the man’s eyes. “I didn’t help you solely for Likh, Tea.”

“I know. I will always be grateful nonetheless. Give her my love when she wakes.” The bone witch tried to stand, but Lord Fox wouldn’t release her. “I can’t let you go. I can’t. We have to… It isn’t fair. You gave up everything and now you’re—”

She touched his face affectionately, and his hold on her tightened. “I’ll go with you.” He cried against her unharmed shoulder. “Don’t tell me to stay. You can’t order me around anymore, Tea. I can’t ask you to do this without me. We’ve been by each other’s side for so long. You’ve given me a new lifetime, so let me spend it apologizing. Let me make it up to you. Please. I can’t… Tea, I can’t—”

“Fox,” her voice was soft, sweet. “Let me go.”

He froze.