Footprints

Twenty-Six Years Old (Part Three)

One month later, Jessie was standing on the grounds of her aunt and uncle's river house in the Night Court. Everyone had stayed there this past month, she was going to stay just a few days more with her parents and brother.

Right now though, she had to say goodbye to Priam. He and Tamlin couldn't afford any more time away from the Spring Court. Tamlin being the High Lord had to get back, yet he had refused to leave until Madja had given her word that Priam was okay to winnow away.

Jessie wasn't ready to say goodbye to her friend yet. After four months of sharing a cell, and then a month being in rooms right next to each other, she didn't think she was ready to say goodbye. She wasn't used to him being in a separate bedroom yet, let alone having all of Prythian separating them. But she knew he had to go.

She hadn't spoken anymore after her breakdown after apologizing to her parents. She wasn't ready yet. She jumped at every touch, terrified that pain would soon follow. She wasn't doing okay, and she knew that Priam was doing just as well as she was.

Both Priam as well as Jessie had allowed her uncle into their minds to go through their memories of the whole ordeal. With Priam barely talking, and Jessie not having said a word, it was the quickest and easiest way to explain what had happened.

As her uncle was telling everyone else what had happened, Jessie couldn't take her eyes off of her parents. The whole time, her father looked furious, while her mother looked like her heart was breaking. The whole time, Jessie had sat as close to Priam as she could.

But they had lives to get back to. There were people in the Spring Court who would help Priam, just as in a few days, there would be people in the Day Court who would help her.

Jessie stepped forward, and gave Priam a hug, the only one she was comfortable touching. It was the only way she was able to say goodbye. Priam had hugged her back before dipping to whisper in her ear.

"The next time we meet, at that dreadfully stupid Ball, save me a dance?"

Jessie nodded before stepping back, offering a sad smile, as she saw Tamlin rest a hand on his son's shoulder.

Five seconds later, Jessie was staring at empty air, before she turned and walked to meet her parents.