Alina found Austin resting in his chambers. He looked peaceful for the first time in months. She smiled at the sight of him, then remembered they had to visit Cecily. She would already be so angry for not meeting w her before leaving.
"Come with me," she said, pulling on his hand. "Cecily will never forgive us if we do not see her today."
Austin groaned dramatically but stood up anyway.
"I have the two most dangerous women in my life," he grinned as they walked towards the east wing.
The moment they opened the door, Cecily jumped to her feet so fast that her chair nearly tipped
over.
"You two" she cried.
She rushed forward and pulled both of them into a tight hug, then slapped Austin's arm lightly.
"Do you have any idea how worried I was? I thought I would never see you again! And you…" she turned to Alina, "running into danger like some storybook heroine!"
Alina laughed despite tears forming in her own eyes.
