Neverseen (Keeper of the Lost Cities, #4)(150)

“Agreed,” Councillor Emery promised.

“And for the record,” Councillor Terik added, “we’re honored you’ve chosen to stay. Please don’t ever think of yourselves as our guests. The Lost Cities are your home.”

That triggered a huge eruption of cheers, followed by celebratory songs as the gnomes called roots to carry them away to their regular residences. Grady and Edaline tried to convince the Havenfield gnomes they should take time to rest, but the gnomes were itching to get back to work. Within hours, the animals were bathed, the pastures looked pristine, and they’d built a gorgeous fence around Calla’s Panakes tree.

By evening it almost felt like Sophie had never left Havenfield. The Council even gave her a shiny new registry pendant.

But when Edaline offered to clasp it around her neck, Sophie hesitated. The Council had yet to prove they were truly going to work with her. She had one demand—one she knew they would resist. She had to make sure they’d agree to it before she committed to her return.

Grady didn’t ask questions when Sophie asked him to arrange a meeting with the Councillors at the Sanctuary. He did insist that he and Edaline join her, but she’d wanted them there anyway. She also asked Keefe to meet her there, but decided not to bother the Vackers. They were dealing with enough at the moment. And Dex, Tam, and Linh weren’t really involved.

Keefe was the first to arrive outside the humongous snow-covered gates in the shadow of the great mountain. The smile he greeted her with definitely wasn’t convincing. She noticed he wasn’t wearing his registry pendant either.

“So what’s with all the vagueness and mystery?” he asked.

“I’ll explain when everyone gets here.”

Keefe nodded, but his eyes strayed to the sun, like he was checking the time.

“Do you need to be somewhere?” Sophie asked.

“Still worrying about me, I see,” he said. “I guess it’s good to know the Mysterious Miss F. hasn’t gotten sick of me yet.”

“I’ll never get sick of you, Keefe.”

“We’ll see.”

She noticed he hadn’t actually answered her question.

Before she could press him, he reached into his pocket and handed her a small blue-velvet pouch. “By the way, um . . . this is for you.”

Sophie’s cheeks warmed, despite the biting cold. And when she poured the pouch’s contents into her palm, she found a long necklace, each bead painted with a different flower.

“This is the one you made for your mom,” she said, tracing her fingers over the stunning beads. The intricate details he’d given each blossom made them look like photographs.

“Yeah,” he mumbled, fussing with his hair. “I know you already have a ton of necklaces and stuff, but . . . I wanted you to have it.”

“You’re sure you don’t want to keep it?”

He shook his head.

He still wasn’t looking at her, so she leaned closer and whispered, “She’s not gone yet, Keefe.”

“I know. But either way, it’s yours now. I even made you a new bead.”

He showed her one in the bottom center, slightly larger than the others, and decorated with . . .

“Is this a Panakes blossom?” she asked, squinting at the lacy pink, purple, and blue flower he’d painted. He’d set a tiny crystal on the largest petal, like a sparkle of dew. “How did you know what they looked like?”

“I stopped by around sunrise to see Calla.”

“Why didn’t you wake me up?”

He shrugged. “I didn’t want to interrupt your Ella cuddle time.”

“So . . . you just sat outside by yourself? For how long?”

“Not that long. It wasn’t a big deal. I was heading home from a thing and decided to check on Calla on a whim.”

“A thing . . .” she said slowly, waiting for Keefe to elaborate. When he didn’t, she told him, “If you hate being at Candleshade, Keefe, you don’t have to stay there.”

“I know. I probably won’t. Aren’t you going to put that on?” he asked, changing the subject.

The beads felt cool on her skin as she slipped the necklace over her head. “How does it look?”

Keefe’s smile looked more sad than happy. She wanted to ask if he was okay, but she could see Edaline giving her one of those isn’t that the CUTEST? smiles straight out of every teenager’s nightmares.

“Thanks,” she mumbled, tucking her hair behind her ears. “It’s really beautiful.”

Keefe shrugged. “It’s nice to see someone finally wearing it.”

“Well, you’ll be seeing a lot of it. I’m going to wear it every day.” She hoped that would earn her a smile, but Keefe’s eyes returned to his feet. He seemed almost . . . nervous. His palms even looked a little sweaty.

The Council arrived then, ending the uncomfortable moment—though they brought their own tension to the mountain.

“Just because you’ve been pardoned, Miss Foster, doesn’t mean you get to demand our attention,” Councillor Alina snapped.

“Tell us, Miss Foster,” Bronte said. “Why have you called us here?”

Sophie reached for Keefe’s hand, needing his support as she stared into the faces of the twelve Councillors and said, “I want you to set Silveny and Greyfell free.”