Broken Veil (Harbinger #5)(45)

Cettie walked the grounds of the abbey, reminiscing about the years she’d spent there as a student. She walked by the cottage she and Sera had shared in Vicar’s Close. The plants had been changed in the garden, but the cracks in the plaster and loose shingles on the roof were all too familiar. She saw her old teacher, Mrs. Romrell, who had inspired her in the study of mathematics. Mrs. Romrell’s warm, affectionate greeting indicated she either didn’t know about Cettie’s misfortunes or did not judge her for them.

Cettie walked around the abbey several times, reveling in how different it was from the poisoner school in Genevar. The Leerings on the walls protected the students but didn’t trap them inside. The abbey wasn’t a prison. While the poisoner school was well appointed and pleasing to the eye, it was a cold place. It lacked the aura of safety, of peace, of goodness that permeated the air she now breathed. Each time she circled the grounds, the abbey felt more welcoming, and she felt a greater sense of belonging.

As the sun began to set, she saw a tempest appear in the distance, skimming the tops of the trees. She recognized it as the one she’d flown so many times on her errands to Lockhaven. The Fitzroys. Her heart lurched as it drew closer, racing toward the abbey at full speed. Her temples began to throb, and nerves made her queasy with apprehension.

She walked swiftly across the lawn toward the landing yard, where she watched the tempest come to rest. Who would be in that tempest? Stephen? Lady Maren? They’d come swiftly upon getting the news, that much was clear.

As she neared the underbelly of the tempest, she caught sight of movement on the deck just before the rope ladder tumbled down. Cettie froze as she watched the rope sway and then settle. She clutched her hands together, biting her lip, watching for the boots to appear, and they did. Stephen. It was Stephen who hurried down the rope ladder. When he reached the grass, he whirled and saw her.

It startled her how much he looked like Father.

A broad smile lit up his face at the sight of her. He charged across the gap between them and wrapped his arms around her, heaving her off her feet, as he twirled her around before setting her down.

“It’s you! By the Mysteries, I know it is!” he said with pure delight.

“Stephen,” she murmured, her throat seizing so quickly the name choked off.

He put his hand on her face, as if reassuring himself she was really there, then kissed her other cheek. He started laughing, though the laughter hitched with tears. They embraced, both of them crying.

“You came back,” he whispered, squeezing her harder. “How? How?” He pulled back, his broad grin making her heart melt. She had never hoped to see Stephen greet her with such genuine joy and affection. “Caulton sent word . . . that you saved his life. You were in Genevar only days ago. How did . . . well, it doesn’t matter. None of that matters. You are back. Thank the Mysteries. I thank them with all my heart. We must return to Fog Willows at once. Mother needs to see you herself. She was too afraid . . . afraid it would be a trick, a deception. She couldn’t bear to lose you again.”

“I’m sorry, Stephen. I can’t tell you how I regret—”

He held up his hand and shook his head curtly. “No, I beg you. Whatever happened, you will say it when you are ready. We have bent all our efforts to try and find you, Cettie. My lost sister. When Mr. Sloan told me what you’d done . . . how you’d paid off my debts. I can’t even begin to tell you how grateful I am to you. You saved Fog Willows, Cettie. With Anna so ill at the time, our family would have been ruined if I’d been under a deed. The estate would have been seized by someone else or plummeted to the ground. Mother told me all about Lady Corinne and her lies. You’re not the only person she’s deceived, but now her tricks have been revealed to all. You saved us, Cettie. I want to hear nothing of regret or guilt.”

Cettie cringed at his words. “But I am guilty, Stephen.”

“Whatever it takes,” he said, pressing his forehead against hers, “we will defend you. If we must hire a fleet of advocates, so be it. You are home. Corinne may have taken the last year of your life away, but she did not rip you out of our hearts. You will always be my sister, every bit as much as Anna and Phinia. Do I make myself clear, Cettie Saeed? You’re a Fitzroy. You’re one of us. I’m only sorry it took me so long to realize it.”

Cettie wept again, hugging him tightly, feeling the warmth of his embrace soothe the hurts and the anguish she still carried with her.

After the embrace, she looked at his face. “You’ve truly been searching for me?”

“With all the intensity of a man possessed by the fiercest determination,” he said. “I’ve employed Caulton and Aunt Juliana to help me, and others too. One of my agents learned that a zephyr was seen flying over Genevar. It was not known where it landed, and anyone who asked too many questions was silenced. But that gave me another clue of where to look. Genevar, it seems, has been benefitting enormously from this war. Caulton said that he saw you in your attack at the warehouse.” He met and held her gaze. “He felt your power and warned me that you might be a hetaera. I didn’t pledge to help you lightly, Cettie. Whatever has happened to you, we will face it as a family.” Her throat was thick again, her heart aching with relief and gratitude. “When the Aldermaston’s message arrived, with his assurance that you were hale, I came immediately.” He glanced over her shoulder. “Ah, here he is.”