I was so exhausted from walking that I must have unconsciously envisioned my refuge—because when the fog thinned and the air shifted, Zulu and I were suddenly standing right in front of it.
The vines draped like curtains, the familiar canopy of Sylva sheltering us. Zulu kept glancing behind him, turning in slow circles, his brows knit together.
"…There's no way," he muttered. "There's no way we got here that fast."
"You're not dreaming," I said softly. "We're really here."
"That's insane," he said, eyes wide. "Did you do this?"
"Not me," I answered, shrugging lightly. "Eriu."
I didn't elaborate. I didn't want to.
I rushed toward the vine-covered entrance, my heart pounding, and the moment I parted the green curtain—
Nori came running out.
"Sienna!" she cried, throwing herself into me and nearly knocking the breath out of my lungs. "You're back! Where did you go?!"
I hugged her tightly, breathing her in. Behind her stood another familiar face.
Theo.
I froze for half a second, surprised to see him here. I had expected Nori to tell him about the refuge eventually, but seeing him standing inside my space still startled me.
His eyes were glassy, red-rimmed. Relief washed over his face the moment he saw me, and before he could even say anything, I pulled him into a hug.
"Sienna…" he choked. "I'm so glad you're okay."
He started crying outright.
Nori frowned and crossed her arms. "Theo, hush! You cried more than I did!"
They both froze at the same time.
Slowly, their gazes shifted past me.
"Sienna…" Nori whispered, voice tight. "Who—who is that behind you?"
Theo swallowed hard.
"Oh," I said quickly. "This is Zulu. Don't worry—he's harmless."
Zulu lifted a hand and gave them the warmest, gentlest smile. Something about the contrast—his massive frame and that soft expression—made me want to laugh.
Why was he so big and yet so… adorable?
Theo and Nori's tension eased, and then they told me everything.
How the kings had been frantic.
How Gideon had said he found me—only for me to disappear again.
How all of them looked wrecked, exhausted, furious, lost.
"What happened, Sienna?" Nori asked carefully. "Gideon said he rescued you… and then you ran away."
"I just needed time," I said quietly. "Time to clear my head."
"That's all he said," Theo confirmed with a nod.
Nori suddenly darted away and returned just as fast, holding a tiny conch. She lifted it to her lips and blew.
A sharp, echoing whistle rang through the forest.
"What was that for?" I asked.
"Oh," she said, smiling faintly. "You'll see."
She grabbed my hand and pulled me inside the refuge.
Everything looked… perfect.
Clean. Ordered. Alive.
Nothing had changed, yet everything felt brighter, steadier. Nori had taken care of it. Zulu stood just inside, quietly taking everything in.
"You built all of this?" he asked in awe.
I nodded.
It might seem unnatural to them, but in my world, women survived. We built. We adapted. We made homes out of nothing.
Once I finally felt grounded, I started preparing food.
All three of them stared at me as I moved, hands working instinctively, body falling into rhythm. When I served the meal, they hesitated—then took a bite.
Their eyes lit up.
Zulu finished his plate first.
Not long after, he stiffened.
"They're here," he said quietly.
We stepped outside.
Talon emerged from the sky.
Gideon stood at the edge of the clearing.
Aron and Rocco followed close behind.
They looked awful.
Like they had been fighting—each other, the world, themselves.
Zulu stepped in front of me instinctively, spreading his arms.
"Who is this?" Talon demanded, feathers bristling.
I gently pushed Zulu's arms down. "It's okay. Zulu, they're the kings I told you about."
Then, turning to them: "Everyone—please calm down. There's no need to fight. This is Zulu. I met him while I was away."
They relaxed—except Gideon.
Rocco crossed the distance first and pulled me into a hug. I hugged Aron and Talon in turn. When I stepped toward Gideon, I hesitated.
I lowered my arms.
Before I could pull away completely, Gideon grabbed me and pulled me into a hug—tight, desperate—then released me just as quickly.
My heart slammed against my ribs.
"Sienna," Talon said, stepping forward. "Come to Avion with me. I have questions, but the bats are attacking our flocks."
"No," Rocco cut in. "She's coming with me. The Dark Seas are acting up."
"Where do you want to stay?" Aron asked gently.
"I'll stay here," I said. "This is my place. If you need me, I'll be here."
Talon scowled.
Rocco glared at Gideon.
Aron sighed.
They all had fires to put out.
Then it hit me.
"Rocco," I said, "could you give everyone one of those tiny conchs? The one you gave Nori. That way, if anyone needs help…"
Rocco nodded and produced them. I taught them the rhythm.
Before they left, I spoke.
"I need to clear something up. This wasn't Gideon's fault. I went with Vesper willingly. When Gideon rescued me, I left on my own. Please don't blame him."
The tension shifted.
One by one, they departed.
Gideon stayed.
He stood by a gnarled oak, silent and brooding. I decided not to push him; my heart couldn't take another round of his rejection just yet.
I walked toward the waterfall to check on the ginza, the sound of the soothing water calling to me. I stripped down and slipped into the cool, clear pool, letting the water wash away the salt of the coast and the dust of the road.
I felt his presence before I saw him.
"You really can't be satisfied, can you?" Gideon said, leaning against a damp rock. "You have me, and yet you bring another beast into your home."
"Gideon, stop," I said, my voice echoing off the stone walls. "I wanted to thank you. Your kindness in saving me... I truly appreciate it. But I'm honoring what you wanted. You're free. I won't hold you back."
He straightened, his jaw tight as he walked to the edge of the water. He crouched down, his fingers trailing through the surface. "You say that now that we're bound? As if cutting that tie is easy?"
"It is," I lied, my heart twisting. "The bond only requires your loyalty, not your heart. You can love whoever you want."
"Why do you treat me so differently?" he snapped, his voice rising. "Why do you disregard my feelings so easily?"
"Because you're the only one who complains!" I shouted back, tears finally spilling over. "The others accept their fate. You never wanted this. Your pride won't let you be part of this... this arrangement. I'm just trying to give you the peace you asked for!"
I broke down into sobs, the sound mixing with the roar of the waterfall.
"I'm not going anywhere," Gideon said, his voice dropping to a low, stubborn rumble.
"Do what you want," I sobbed. "But I'm keeping my promise."
Nori appeared at the entrance, her face full of concern. "Sire, please... give her space."
Gideon stood up, his amber eyes locked on mine one last time. "I will be back."
He turned and vanished into the trees, leaving me alone in the water.