41 
Aria’s mind flitted from one thing to another. Falcon Markings that reached shoulder to shoulder. Sandals made of book covers. Opera songs and earthworms and a voice as warm as the afternoon sun. They had one thing in common.
Perry. Every thought came back to him.
She sat in the cargo hold of the Belswan Hover with Talon on one side and Roar on the other, her eyes on the window on the opposite side of the hold. She had been staring at it since leaving the bluff, watching the Aether outside and wondering if she should move closer. If she should look outside, where she might see Perry’s Hover.
She’d passed hours this way, she was almost sure, but time didn’t feel right.
Nothing did.
When the Hover slowed, her stomach leaped into her throat. She jumped up, Roar right beside her.
“What’s going on?” Talon asked.
The question was suddenly on everyone’s lips.
“We’re here,” Sable said over the speaker, silencing them. “Or I should say, almost here. Before we make the crossing, why don’t we hear some words from your Blood Lord? Go ahead, Peregrine.”
Aria heard Perry clear his throat. Her eyes filled with tears, and he hadn’t even said anything yet.
“I’ve, uh . . . I’ve never been one for speeches,” he began. “Wish that weren’t the case right now.” His voice was even and unhurried, like he had all the time in the world. Like he always sounded. “I want you to know that I did my best to look after you. I didn’t always succeed, but you’re not an easy group. I think that’s fair to say. You fought me sometimes. You argued with me. You expected me to be more than a simple hunter. And because of you, I became more than that. So I want to thank each of you for letting me lead you. And for the honor I’ve had of serving you.”
That was it.
Sable came back on. “I thought that was well said, actually. Very capable, your young lord. You’ll see him again soon, when we reach the Still Blue.”
He kept speaking, but Aria didn’t hear the rest.
Her gaze moved to the window again, and she went to it. People made way for her, clearing a path. Even Sable’s soldiers stepped aside for her. Roar, Talon, and Brooke came with her, lining up beside her at the thick glass.
“There,” Brooke said, pointing. “Do you see them?”