Willow's Choice

Thirty-Nine

I sighed out as I came down the stairs after soaking my sore body in the bath, Valor helping me down the stairs slowly.

I smiled as Giselle the sight of her warming me up knowing that she kept my daughters safe, Ava on her hip and Pierre following behind her with Scarlet and Ruby in his arms.

I watched Valor as he grew nervous next to me as we neared the end of the stairs, his nervous excitement evident sight of his daughters, two of which he had yet to meet.

I let go of his hand, ushering him forward as Pierre came forward, grinning at his long time son-like friend.

I'd never thought about it but Giselle and Pierre were definitely parental figures to Valor and I was extremely thankful to the both of them and they were definitely part of our family.

Valor took Scarlet first, her small dimples much like my father's distinguished her apart from her sister and then he took Ruby in his other arm and made his way to the sofa. Avalyn crawled next to him, kissing her father's face before she cuddled next to him as they both stared down at the twins.

I turned when a woman walked in, her age apparent in the smile lines of her face, but that didn't make her any less beautiful with her arctic white hair that was in loose waves down her back and her mint colored eyes staring around until they landed on me.

"You must be Willow. I'm Winter, I'm here for Sage." She said.

I immediately liked her, I could sense her genuine personality and her age and demeanor told me she was wise and had good intentions.

"I'm here Master Winter." Sage spoke as he bowed his head to her.

She was a master of her craft, I knew that title had to be earned after an intense amount of studying by her kind.

Sage approached her and for the first time he showed his sadness as his face became sullen.

"Grace-

"I know Sage. I felt her leave us." She whispered to him after she dropped to be eye level with him.

"Forgive me." He said.

"Oh my boy, you did everything right. You stayed true to the moon. You saved all these people. Grace fulfilled her purpose, nothing happens under the moon without reason Sage. My daughter knew what she was doing when she chose you as her apprentice, now I will teach you now." She whispered to him.

I was stunned that Grace was Winter's daughter and even more stunned to learn that the moon crafters were entirely different than they appeared. Their kind was very set apart from the other species, but now I know it's because other's judges them without knowing them.

I watched as Sage cried, Winter scooping him up in her arms.

"I had to-

"I know. I felt that too. I will teach him your ways as well, Giselle and I have been friends for decades. You saved him. Thank you." She said.

I bowed my head in respect, and she did the same.

"Sage." I said.

He looked up, his eyes puffy from crying.

"Thank you." I said.

He gave me a smile, bowing his head in respect.

I watched Winter as she turned, stopping when she saw Valor. She walked over to them slowly, Sage staring down at Ava who stared right back and I could see his eyes as they began to him with a bright glow. Winter smiled and I watched as she stared down at Ava and she blew her breath over her face, Ava's short hair whipping behind her ears and she let out a giggle.

"What did you do?" I asked as she began to move.

"I will see you again." She said and then light filled the air and she and Sage were gone.

Valor and I looked at each other and he looked at Ava who was smiling and babbling.

"Dada, Dada, Dada." She cooed.

I cursed and Valor let out a bellowing laugh.

"She said Dad first!" He said chuckling.

"Bite me." I growled.

"Gladly." He hissed with a smirk.

I stared around at my family.

I knew we were going to be okay. We had each other and that's all we needed.

Thank you to everyone for reading! With every book I write I find myself learning more about myself and my writing! I am writing a book from Avalyn's adult point of view and hope to release it soon! Keep an eye out for it!

- S ♥️