Bid'Daum somehow distracted him."
"I remember that night," Will said. "Var and Zadí had just gotten married. My ring did the strangest thing. I can't believe it has been almost six months since then. If only we had
come straight here! Brom guessed Tenga might have you on Vroengard, but without my ring to guide us we were worried we'd get hopelessly lost. We wasted so much time going
to Ilirea and back."
"Ilirea? You've been through a lot too, Will. I'm so relieved you all made it alive. Tenga was furious when he bound me down here. I knew he had snapped, just like when he
destroyed the Dragon Rider pact, and I was so worried he really would kill you all. It was so defeating after I had just seen the ship on the horizon."
"He nearly did kill us," Will shared. "Bid'Daum also helped us. Well, he helped Brom, who performed some amazing magic while using the dragon's strength. But Brom shared what
you thought at that moment you saw the ship. I can't even describe what it was like for me to hear your voice in my mind, Lena." He lowered his face to kiss her forehead.
Lena started crying again, and she pressed her face into his shoulder after cinching her arms around his neck. "I can't believe you're actually here, Will. I love you so much."
Will swallowed the lump in his throat, but didn't bother trying to fight the tears. "I love you too, Lena. Now let's get back to the others."
Before Will had even made it through the twisted, unnatural apple orchard, Brom cried in Lena's mind, Lena! You're alive! Thank goodness! Tell Will to stay up there. We others are
on our way to meet you. But Will went so fast that we'll be a few more minutes.
Lena conveyed this message to Will, who readily obliged by exiting the orchard—on Lena's request—and sitting with his back against a tree. He waited patiently while she and
Swiftpaw ate, apparently content to simply stare at her face.
Soon enough, their other eight friends appeared over the slope. Lena knew Var, Brom, Nefin, Hanna, and Brin could have arrived just as quickly as Will, but she guessed they had
slowed their pace for Keeta's sake. And Zadí's!
"Is Zadí pregnant?" Lena murmured to Will.
"Yes. Over halfway through now. She and Var are so excited. They got married on her birthday. Brom and Brin did too, on his birthday."
"Let's not wait until our birthday," Lena implored. "I want to marry you right away."
"My thoughts exactly."
A huge smile, accompanied by more tears, spread across Lena's face as Ajh distanced himself from the group and jogged forward.
"Lena!" he cried as Will stood up with her. "Lena! I'm so glad to see you!"
Lena leaned away from Will enough to extend her arms as Ajh reached them and gave her an enthusiastic embrace.
"Ajh!" she laughed. "I'm thrilled to see you too! I can't even begin to say how overjoyed and relieved! Thank you for coming."
"Anything for you," Ajh replied, similar to Will. "I'm just grateful we made it."
Hanna next approached, her happy smile clouding with concern as she observed Lena's condition. "Oh, Lena," she despaired, "you're skin and bones! And look at these raw chafe marks. Let me heal them!"
"Go right ahead," Lena invited. "And sorry about the stench, everyone. I know it must be really awful, especially for you Hanna. I had no other choice but to relieve myself where I
was bound in the Vault of Souls." She apologetically glanced up at Will.
"I didn't even notice, honey," he promised. "You think I would care about something like that at such a time?"
"I'll help you bathe and change into some clean clothes once I'm done," Hanna offered.
"Thank you, Hanna," Lena declined, "but I want it to be Will. We'll be the third couple to form in our group. And we want to get married right now. Did Brom perform the other
ceremonies?"
The rest of the party had hung back slightly, but they now came forward with bright smiles that warmed Lena's heart.
"Such as they were," Brom answered. "They were really just formalities and especially would be in your case. No one can ever question yours and Will's devotion."
"True," Lena agreed. "But it would still be fun. Hanna, my legs are in sorry shape. I don't think I can support my weight right now."
"Did Tenga beat you?" Hanna worriedly asked as she continued her efforts, moving to Lena's legs.
"She was shackled to the wall in such a way that her legs were partially bent," Will informed. "And you were that way for how long? A week, right?"
Lena nodded. "But for the restraint around my neck, I might have been able to stand up straight or rest against the fetters surrounding my arms. As it was, when I tried either, I
would quickly start to strangle myself. Tenga was enraged when he left me to die. He seems to delight in contemplating other people's suffering, though he has never had the nerve
to simply kill someone off."
"He almost did with us," Will reminded. "And he'll surely feel the urge again when he realizes his initial attempt failed. But let's not think about that yet. Brom?"
"Let these others see Lena first," Brom suggested. "We have all missed her and been worried sick, just not quite as intensely as you."
"Of course!" Lena consented, and she greeted each of her remaining friends with tight hugs and joyful words. During this time, Lena asked whether they were protected from the
poison on Vroengard. Brom told her that he had performed the spell that would prevent the sickness from affecting any of them right when they landed on the beach and Will had
run off.
When the reunions were over, Brom then walked to stand in front of the reunited couple. Will had never set her down, though Swiftpaw had vacated her warm perch on Lena's lap
and now sat next to Will's feet, her tail twitching. Lena had introduced the werecat to the others, highly praising her feline friend for preserving her life.
Brom silently stared at the two being joined as man and wife. "I don't even know what to say," he finally admitted. "Words seem inadequate after all you've been through to return
to each other."
"I have an idea," Will proposed. "We'll just share our true names with each other. Mine is almost entirely about Lena. And exchanging true names is considered the highest
expression of trust and intimacy in some circles. Seems fitting."
"Perfect," Lena approved. So with a broad smile, Will lowered his face until his lips brushed her ear. Then he whispered his true name and Lena felt a shiver course through her
body at the same time as Will's. As Will had revealed, his true name was almost completely dedicated to her—his love for her, how much he valued their friendship, how he
recognized all of her strengths, and how her wellbeing was so important to him that he would willingly offer his life for her.
More tears overflowed as Lena returned Will's smile. "Thank you, love. I'm honored."
Will shrugged. "It's true, honey. Isn't that why they call it a true name?"
Lena laughed softly. "Now my turn." She placed one hand on his cheek and the other at the back of his head. Resting her forehead against his horn, Lena breathed her true name—
her true true name, the one that served as key to her secret gazebo—into Will's ear.
While her relationship with Will had been a slightly higher priority than her family ties before Lena's captivity on Vroengard, that bond was now the most central and defining aspect
of her personality. Will was her reason for everything and the reason she was alive right then. If not for her fervent hope that she would be reunited with him, Lena knew she would
have given up in the Vault of Souls.
Will's eyes likewise filled with tears as she finished. "You're so amazing, Lena. I'm so blessed to have you. I'll always love you."
"So is this where I say, 'I now pronounce you man and wife'?" Brom quietly questioned, clearly reluctant to interrupt.
>
Lena and Will both laughed as they forced themselves to focus on Brom. "Yes, I guess so," Will answered.
"Well then, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride."
Will gladly accepted the invitation, and they kissed for the first time as husband and wife.
Their friends avoided any loud celebrating before offering their congratulations, apparently mindful of their secretive presence on the island. Then Will asked Hanna, "Are you done
healing her?"
"Yes. Do you need anything to help you get cleaned up?"
"Water," Will matteroffactly stated, and everyone laughed. Lena guessed that Will hadn't been his normal cheerful self for the past eight months, and the group seemed glad to
have him back.
"There's a stream nearby," Lena informed. "But it's cold."
"I'll make it pool somewhere and warm that area up," Hanna said. "Like I did for Sara and Freddie."
Will noticed Lena's confusion. "I'll tell you about it later, honey. I have everything I need in my pack. But Lena might not want to smell like my soap and shampoo."
"She can use any of ours," Zadí offered, digging out the needed items from the pack Var held. "All of us girls use the same shampoo and soap."
"And here are some of her clothes," Keeta contributed. "When we prepared last summer, I gathered supplies for everyone, including Lena. I grabbed some as we abandoned the
ship, knowing Will would stop at nothing to find her."
"Abandoned?" Lena repeated, accepting the proffered items from Zadí and Keeta. "Is that what you meant about rowing for a week?"
Will nodded. "Tenga blasted the ship apart. We rowed here in the long boat. Let's talk about that later. I really need a bath."
Lena smiled. "Me too. I'm ready to go."
"We'll be back . . . later," Will called as he turned to follow Hanna.
"But it had better not be too soon," Var rejoined.
Their friends' subdued laughter followed them down the hill.
After Hanna created a warm pool for them to bathe in, she left Will and Lena alone.
"Let's go in with our clothes on so I can get rinsed off," Lena requested. "I don't want you to have to deal with the mess."
Will started removing her boots and socks as he said, "You know I wouldn't care, Lena. But if that's what you want." He then bared his own feet before walking with her into the
water.
"It feels so wonderful," Lena commented. "I'm embarrassed to let you see me naked. I'm sure I look like a skeleton."
Will made a face. "Lena, don't be ridiculous." She was floating in front of him and holding on around his neck, so he lifted one hand and cupped her cheek. "You will always be the most beautiful girl in my eyes, but this is what I love most about you. What's in here." He moved his hand and rested it over her heart. "And in here."
Lena nodded. "I know. And I feel the same. But there's a good chance I'll still enjoy your body a great deal." Will grinned. "Especially after a week of nonstop rowing."
"But let's get washed up," he insisted. "I really do need a bath. I'm sure my stench is worse than yours. You should have smelled me after we fought the Shade in Ilirea. She had
this eel monster with goopy green blood and innards. I had to hack open his stomach to get your ring back, so I got covered in it. Lucky me."
Lena giggled, and Will smiled, pressing his lips to her forehead. "I missed that sound so much, honey. I would dream of it, of you."
"Me too."
They soon removed their wet clothing so they could wash up. Lena saw Will's concern as he observed her gaunt frame, but she wasn't as mortified as she had imagined. Will
seemed to care nothing about her altered appearance as he tenderly helped her bathe.
And she returned the favor, enjoying his muscular form as much as she anticipated. They talked the whole time, attempting the impossible task of catching up on all that had
happened while they were apart. Will made her laugh just like he always had, and Lena realized she hadn't laughed so hard and long since before Tenga kidnapped her.
Being together felt just as natural as they had always dreamed, and by the time they finished washing up, it almost seemed like the past eight months hadn't even happened and
they were snuggled up on the shore of Lake Arya after Will had proposed. But their bond was so much stronger than they would have expected after what they had endured in the
intervening time.
"I love being with you, Will," Lena murmured with her cheek resting against his chest as he playfully swayed back and forth. "We haven't even made love, but I already feel like
we've been married for years. It's perfect."
"Yes," he agreed. "And we don't have to do that right now, Lena. I'm more worried about hurting you than I would have been before. You were already slender, but now you seem
so fragile, like you would break in half as easily as a toothpick."
Lena hesitantly asked, "You're not . . . repulsed by my body, are y—"
"Lena," Will sternly interrupted. "Hush. Of course not. You're beautiful. I want you as much as ever. I'm just worried."
"We don't know what might happen to us, Will," Lena reasoned. "We still have to fight Tenga. Please do this with me, for me. I want to experience what it's like to be your wife in
every sense of the word. I was so worried Tenga might rob me of this precious opportunity when all I wanted was you. You're everything I've ever wanted in a friend, husband, and
lover."
"Thank you," Will whispered. "I'll do anything for you. But let's stay in the water."
Lena gazed up into his goldenbrown eyes, nodding slightly to convey her agreement. Their gaze never wavered as he lifted her. She wrapped her legs around his waist, settling
down once she had assumed the necessary position. Her eyes filled with tears and she exhaled a trembling breath as she pressed her face into his neck.
It wasn't a moment of passion, but of healing and love. "Now I feel whole," Lena breathed. "Thank you, Will. I needed you."
And he simply held her, enjoying the expression in its purest form and allowing Lena to begin slowly overcoming the trauma of her imprisonment on Vroengard.
After spending the week bound to the wall in the Vault of Souls, Lena felt the exhaustion of not eating or properly sleeping in all that time. She and Will did nothing more to
consummate their love that day before he noticed her fatigue and suggested they rest.
Will left the water with her still wrapped around him. He lay down on his back after spreading a blanket on the ground and pulled it over them once they were comfortable. Lena fell
asleep as Will's wife with her ear over his heart and happy for the first time in eight months.
Will awoke at dusk, and Lena was still deeply asleep. His stomach rumbled painfully, but he made no move to end their embrace. He played with her now dry hair, breathing in the
amazing smell of roses, jasmine, lavender, lilacs. Will had always loved Lena's softly curling hair.
He had her back. Will almost couldn't believe that they were together, but it felt as natural as she had said. He would never let her go again. They had to defeat Tenga so he
couldn't threaten them anymore.
Before long, Brom's thoughts tentatively touched Will's mind. Will, sorry to bother you, but Var worried you might be hungry.
I am, Will responded. But Lena's still asleep, so I'm not going anywhere.
Var and Zadí volunteered to bring you some food. I don't know how he manages, but Ajh still whipped up something amazing for dinner. And he also made some dessert in honor of
your wedding. One of Lena's favorites. Interested?
You bet. We're just by the stream.
They're on their way, Brom finished. We'll plan our next move tomorrow morning. I've briefly touched Tenga's mind to make sure he's not on his way over here, but I won't do any more digging until we're ready. You and Lena deser
ve at least this one night together undisturbed.
Thanks, Brom.
Will soon heard sounds indicating Var and Zadí's arrival. They set several plates and bundles beside him as they sat down nearby.
"Can we talk?" Var softly asked.
"She's out," Will answered, using the same quiet tone. "I can't imagine how hard this last week was for Lena. She barely slept because she would start to strangle on the stone
binding around her neck."
Zadí's face scrunched in concern. "You two went through so much. I'm so glad you're together again."
"Yes," Will agreed, smiling. "But our first day together as a married couple was nothing like yours. I could hear a lot of what happened that day."
Zadí giggled as Var grinned. "But that's understandable with how Lena is feeling and what she went through last week," Zadí sympathized.
"Lena needs to heal, physically and emotionally, before she'll be as energetic as you seemed, sister," Will teased.
Zadí covered her mouth to smother a louder laugh. "True. But I'm sure she'll get there. My husband is an identical copy of you, and I can't ever seem to get enough of him. Maybe
you two will soon join us, Brom, and Brin. We'll all have kids together just like our parents. I love thinking about that."
"I'm happy for you, Will," Var sincerely said. "You should have experienced this joy before any of us."
"After all we went through," Will disagreed, "it was so much sweeter this way. Lena and I decided that it almost seems like we weren't apart at all. It's just so natural being
together."
"Good," Var firmly approved, lifting Zadí to her feet as he arose. "We'll go now. Zadí's really tired, but she wanted to come with me. See you in the morning."
"Good night," Will said as they turned to leave. "Thanks for the food."
And he returned his attention to his new wife after his visitors departed.
Nefin was awake before anyone the next morning. He silently sat with his back against a boulder buried in the sand, partly keeping watch but mostly brooding. Now Brom, Var, and
Will were all married. Nefin wanted to join their ranks more than ever, but he wasn't sure if Keeta was ready. And how would he find out unless he asked her? Anything could
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