Rocco was unusually quiet on our way to the shore, like he had woken up in a bad mood. I kept trying to find the right words to make him smile again, but nothing came to me. When we reached land, he stepped closer and gently brushed a few strands of hair away from my face. I looked up at him. His gaze was tender, soft.
"Come right back to me if he gives you a hard time," he said in a low, careful voice that warmed my chest. "If you call for me, I will be there."
I nodded, hugged him, and whispered my thanks. I told him he didn't have to walk me any farther—that he should return to the sea. Gideon would see me soon anyway. Rocco hugged me one last time before turning back, and even then he kept glancing over his shoulder at me until he finally disappeared.
As soon as he was gone, I felt that familiar prick on the side of my wrist. I looked down. A new word had been etched into my skin.
Kindness.
I smiled to myself. I was collecting these virtues like Pokémon. I couldn't help but wonder what would happen when I finally had them all.
We had to keep moving, so I told Nori we should head toward the inner woods. Truth was, I had no idea how to get back to Juno.
"Sienna, are we going to be welcomed by the people or the king of Juno like the other kingdoms?" Nori asked.
"I'm… not sure," I admitted.
All my visits so far had been pure luck. I never warned any of the kings. I didn't even know how I would. Aron, Talon, and Rocco had somehow sensed me anyway. I thought Gideon would too—but I was wrong.
We walked in circles more times than I could count, always ending up where we started. Nori tried tracking with her nose, but she didn't know what scent she was supposed to follow. My nerves started to fray. Any corrupted beast could jump out at any time. I wasn't scared for myself—I could fight—but if I pushed too hard and drained my energy, we would both be in trouble.
We were exhausted when I suddenly noticed movement in the grass.
I summoned my dagger at once.
A snake slithered into view.
Of course. Of all things, it had to be a snake.
Nori rushed behind me while I raised my blade.
"Are you really going to attack me with that?" the snake asked calmly.
I knew that voice.
"Vesper?" I said. "What are you doing here?" I looked around nervously. "You should go before the King of Juno sees you. He hates corrupt souls."
He laughed. "You're one to talk. I was just passing through. Why don't you come with me instead? I don't think you're welcome here."
How did he know that?
"That's a pretty big coincidence," I said. "Are you following me?"
"Not really. But I'm willing to save you from wasting your time. And you even brought the fox—how kind of you."
I glanced at Nori. "Don't listen to him."
When I looked back, Vesper was gone.
Then the bushes rustled.
A pack of wolves stepped out and surrounded us.
"Hi! I'm Sienna!" I blurted out.
Then a familiar face appeared.
"Sienna!" Theo ran toward me—then stopped short. "Sorry. I don't want to anger someone."
I hugged him anyway. "Theo, I'm so happy to see you! Thank goodness you're okay."
He hesitated before hugging me back. Then he noticed Nori. "Who's she?"
"This is Nori," I said. "She's my companion."
Theo pouted. "That was my place, not hers! Why replace me with a fox?"
Nori bristled. "What did you just say, wolf?"
They both looked ready to fight. I laughed, pulled them both close, and rubbed their heads. They froze, then slowly relaxed. They looked like two sulking puppies.
Then a deep growl echoed through the jungle.
We all turned.
Gideon was walking toward us.
Theo quickly moved to my side. "It's Sienna, sire. She's back."
Gideon's face showed nothing.
Instead of welcoming me, he said coldly, "You really never change. You touch everyone, and you let everyone touch you."
I didn't answer. I didn't have the energy to argue. I was just glad to see Theo—and him. Even if he felt distant, maybe that was safer.
"Let's go," Gideon ordered. "Before more corrupted beasts appear."
He walked ahead of us, never once looking back. My chest tightened. Maybe I shouldn't have come back. I stopped walking.
Everyone turned.
"Sienna, are you okay?" Theo asked.
My hands started to shake. "Maybe… maybe I shouldn't be here. I'm not welcome. They might just want me gone again…"
Nori grabbed my arm. "Sienna, you're shaking."
Gideon turned, strode back, grabbed my arm, and pulled me forward. Then he howled toward the gates.
"Gideon, please," I whispered.
"I told you you are welcome," he said sharply. "Morro is gone. I killed him—he was corrupt. The Oracle was possessed by Vera. They're both gone. You have nothing to fear."
My breath caught. Why hadn't he told me this before?
I calmed a little—but his coldness still hurt enough to make me want to turn around and leave.
As we reached the gates, Gideon howled again. The massive doors slowly opened.
My heart pounded.
Would they glare at me like before? Would they hate me again?
I held my breath and stepped forward.