“You gave me that rose because you wanted to make me happy, and you did. I was scared at first, and I missed you all so much, but I never belonged here. I found where I belong. It’s with her. I know that’s almost impossible to believe, but it’s true. I love her, father. I love her in a way I could never have loved Avery. And she has so many books, and a library you can’t even imagine, and I can shoot a bow and throw a spear now.”

The tendrils spread over his chest, and Aspen gasped behind me.

“You didn’t lose me, father. I forgive you, and you have to forgive yourself. We need you. Aspen needs you. She’s going to have a child soon. Don’t you want to meet your grandchild? Juniper needs you. I need you.” Tears rolled down my cheeks. “I learned something in the snow. Death is easy. Living is much, much harder, but I promise you this: if you let yourself die, you will miss out on so much that is beautiful.”

A single, white rose bloomed, and the soft fragrance filled the room.

“Rowan?”

Aspen burst into tears at the sound of my father’s voice, no longer threaded with madness.

“I’m here,” I said. The rose lost its petals, one by one, the vine shriveling as the magic faded, its task complete.

“Rowan. I have missed you.” He looked around the room, then down at his shrunken body. “I hardly know myself.”

“It doesn’t matter. We know you,” said Aspen, squeezing his other hand.

“Seize her.”

The command took the three of us by surprise, and I struggled against the arms that grabbed me, hauling me from the room and dragging me down a hallway. I was strong now from a year in the mountains, and I broke free long enough to catch a fist in my face and another in my ribs before I was thrown into a cold, dark pit that I recognized as the village jail before the door was shut and barred behind me.

“No,” I screamed, beating my fists against the bars. Someone shoved a torch into my face, and I barely recognized Avery. His face was twisted with hatred, and his eyes blazed with dark intention. At his side stood the old woman.

“Tell her what you told me,” he said, and I heard triumph in his voice.

“The curse is broken,” she said.

“The curse?” Fear filled my mouth.

“The Huntress has lost her power.”

“No.” My voice barely rose above a whisper.