Nine months after The Secret Soulbond

The morning after Harvestfete when the social season ended at last, Annalise embraced Kiera and Wren for one final time then said, “I promise I’ll return to Ormas a few weeks after Longnight.” She winked at Kiera. “I can’t possibly miss the birth of Calatini’s next monarch.” Not only did she need to be there to support her close friend, but she could soul-heal Kiera again if there were near fatal complications like during Wren’s childbirth five months ago.

Muddy-yellow sadness glowing in her friends’ auras despite her reassurance, Kiera managed a faint smile then replied, “You’d better return before I give birth. I want you here then to celebrate.”

Wren sighed. “We’ll miss you, but we know that you and Lord Ravenstone have been yearning to return home to Wildewall since you arrived in Ormas a year and a half ago.”

Annalise squeezed Kiera’s and Wren’s hands. True, she and Dare didn’t enjoy living in Ormas, but returning home this time was bittersweet now that she’d close friends. “I’ll miss you both too. But we’ve those linked communication mirrors Dare enchanted for us, so I expect group mirror calls at least once a week. I’ll call you once Dare and I reach Ravenstone Castle—it should take a week using a caravan travel spell.”

Kiera and Wren returned her squeeze before releasing her, then Kiera murmured, “Until then, Annalise. Safe travels.”

Annalise turned and glided back to Dare, who’d remained mounted atop Ebony and held Storm’s reins while she’d said farewell to her friends. His love enfolding her like a warm embrace, Dare mentally asked, :Are you certain you’re ready, my heart? We can remain longer if you’d like.:

Smiling at her ever-kindhearted husband, she grasped Storm’s reins and mounted. :No, remaining longer would only lengthen my and my friends’ sadness at parting. Besides, our families and magical pets are waiting for us.:

Annalise and Dare rode through the crowded streets of Ormas and joined their waiting families outside the northern gate. As soon as they did, all their magical pets—except for Rain and Aria, who were inside a caravan under a sleep spell in their golden birdcage since faebirds were too fragile to travel well—surged toward her and Dare. Their eyes aflame, Raven and Bear bayed while circling Storm’s and Ebony’s legs. Slanting the hellhounds a disdainful glance that only angelcats could manage, Finn and Lily leapt into the saddle behind her and Dare. Meanwhile, their newest magical pets, draklizards Sand and Leaf, swooped from Alex’s shoulders to curl about her and Dare’s necks.

His grin impish, Alex drawled, “Finally here, I see. We’d better leave so that tisn’t winter before we arrive back home.”

As Annalise pursed her lips at her teasing younger brother, Mother, Father, Mother Daphne, and Dare urged their horses to the four corners of their traveling party then chanted the incantation to activate their caravan travel spell. Then Annalise and the others began the northern journey, the scenery blurring past them as they rode, although they never collided with anything outside the caravan travel spell thanks to its magic.

A week later, Mother, Father, Mother Daphne, and Dare chanted the incantation to end their caravan travel spell when they reached Ravenstone Valley, which was half a day closer to Ormas than her family’s adjoining valley.

Mother Daphne embraced Annalise then Dare and said, “I’ll continue to Greysnowe Castle with Emmeline to give you two some privacy to get settled at Ravenstone Castle.”

Annalise and Dare beamed at Mother Daphne, who was always as kindhearted as her son, thank the Goddess. Dare smoothed his beard and replied, “Thanks, Mother.”

She and Dare rode on to Ravenstone Castle with just their magical pets and servants. When the sprawling castle of tan stone with many green-roofed towers and surrounded by lush gardens came into view, she halted Storm and breathed, “Oh, Dare, ’tis perfect. Just the castle for a nature witch and his family.”

Orange pride, yellow joy, and indigo love swirling about him, Dare grinned at her. “I’ve always thought so. Welcome home, my heart.” His grin turned wicked. “I’ve been dreaming about showing you my favorite spots, starting with either our chambers or the conservatory. Which would you like to see first?”

Tingling warmth flooding her at her husband’s flirting, Annalise gave him a heated glance. “The conservatory, I think, given our penchant for making love amidst nature. We can see our chambers after dinner.”

She and Dare grinned at one another then trotted toward Ravenstone Castle.