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I awoke to discover I was in a very comfortable bed, in a very comfortable room. Sunlight was pouring through the window. A vase filled with blue forget-me-nots were on the bedside table. My sister, Sarah Jane, was sleeping in the chair next to my bed.
"Sarah Jane," I whispered, "Am I dreaming?"
"Hey there sleepy head," Tristan said getting up from a chair I hadn't seen. Sarah Jane stirred and smiled when she looked at me.
"Oh, Mouse!" She immediately engulfed me in a hug. "Don't you ever scare us again! Almost dying like that."
"Welcome to Moonspire, Elizabeth," Tristan chuckled as he put an arm around Sarah Jane's shoulder. "Let's not excite her, Sarah."
"Where's George?" Had he made it? What about Nathan? I was sure he had been dying too. I looked at my hand, the ring was gone. "The ring?"
"I think George should tell you," Tristan answered. "After all, he was there."
"Where is he?"
Sarah Jane looked at Tristan and he shrugged, a smile tugging at his face.
"He's not here," Tristan finally added with a grin.
"I can see that. But he's well? He made it?" I pressed, fighting the urge not to panic. I wasn't sure how I was still living, as I had felt my soul being separated. I had a lot of questions, but they'd have to wait.
"Yes, George is fine. He's with Kyung at the moment I believe. They just got back from a trip last night. The healer said that you had finally turned the corner, so we urged him to get some sleep. Yet, he had other ideas, and he and Kyung went—” Sarah Jane answered.
"Shhh! Let George fill her in," Tristan replied as he covered up Sarah Jane's mouth. I could see from her eyes she frowned at him, so he removed his hand and kissed her.
"I'd like to see them," I replied. "George and Kyung."
"First up, I bet you would like a bath," Sarah Jane teased.
"Sarah Jane, do you think there is a way to let Edward and James know I am still alive?"
"There's always a way, Elizabeth." Tristan winked. "Now, I'll have the maids know to prepare a bath for you."
***
I soaked in the hot water for some time. One of the things I noticed was, Moonspire had running water. And not only that, but it came heated. If you turned one handle it was cold, and if you turned the other, it was hot. Sarah Jane also had them add this liquid, which smelled like peach blossoms, to the water. As the water filled the tub, this white fluffy covering appeared like magic.
"What is this?" I asked, swirling my hand in the water.
"Bubbles, you'll love it." Sarah Jane winked. And she was right, I did.
After a nice bath, I had my hair dried, brushed, and braided. I didn't want to wear it in one of the styles from home. I borrowed one of Sarah Jane's ribbons to tie my hair. I also borrowed one of her dresses. It was a bit too big in the bosom, and a bit tight at my waist, but otherwise fit pretty well. I would need to lift it up since I was a good two inches shorter than Sarah Jane, but it would do.
"We will have to take you to Clarissa to get some dresses made," Sarah Jane commented as she came in to check on me.
"Can I see George now?" I was feeling antsy. I had dallied long enough.
"Tristan was saying something about dinner first." Sarah Jane grinned at me. What was up with everybody delaying me?
"Sarah!!" I groaned.
"I know, Mouse, I think I can arrange a secret meeting first. Follow me." Sarah Jane chuckled.
I followed her closely, trying hard to not insist we run. She led me down a long spiral staircase, and across a long hall. We stopped in front of a closed door.
"Go on," she nudged me as she opened the door.
I walked in slowly. It was a large spacious room, with a piano tucked into the far corner. I couldn't see who was at the piano, but it was playing softly.
Feeling suddenly shy, I took a deep breath and walked towards the piano. As I came around the instrument, I stopped and smiled. George was sitting there, playing quietly. After a few notes, he glanced up and smiled at me. He nodded for me to join him on the bench.
"I believe we've met like this before," he said softly.
"It seems a lifetime ago," I answered, remembering the first night he had been playing in the middle of the night.
"My ring is gone," I said.
"Are you disappointed?" George asked, raising his eyebrow as he played.
"No, I hated that ring. It may have been beautiful, but everything else was horrid." I tentatively placed my hands above some of the keys. "May I ask what happened when I almost died?"
"You really scared me. If you ever get it into your head to have a soul oath bond again, please be wiser in your choice." George said.
"Hey!" I scolded as I recognized the teasing tone.
He gave me a quick nudge as he continued to play.
I started to play a few notes.
"Kyung and Master Sam filled me in with what you had told them. Runt tried to help, but you know..." George chuckled. "And I spoke with Edward and James. I know what you did for them. And here's a good time to tell you, I have a surprise for you," George finished speaking as the music came to an end.
"What is that?" I shifted so I was angled more towards George.
George coughed into his elbow, and the door behind him opened. Kyung stepped out first and smiled. I smiled in return.
"Hey," I said to Kyung. How was Kyung a surprise?
Then I heard them.
"Mouse!" It was Edward and James.
I burst into tears and ran over to them. “I thought I would never see you again!"
"Oh, Mouse, you are the bravest and dumbest girl ever!" James scolded me. "You should have let Throckmorten kill me instead of going away with him."
"You know I couldn't do that," I said through my happy tears, as James's hug turned tighter.
"Thank you, dearest sister, for my life," James told me, choking back his own tears.
"How is it you got here? I thought the way was closed?" I pulled away from my brothers' embraces to look at them.
"You owe it to George. He and Kyung came to get us. Kyung told us about Dragonspire and your bravery there." Edward said, enveloping me in another hug.
"Hey, I need one of those hugs too," Kyung cheerfully added as he gave me a hug.
"Will you be staying in Moonspire?" I asked Kyung, as Tristan and Sarah Jane joined us in the music room.
"Yes. I'll be leaving shortly to return to Dragos to get my mother and sister."
"I'm glad," I said.
As everyone gaily talked, I turned my attention back to George. He was still sitting at the piano. I smiled, enjoying mentally painting the image forever in my heart. George was alive, and I was with him. Despite all the trials we had faced, we were together. I had a lot to be grateful for. I rejoined George on the piano bench.
George smiled as pulled me closer and onto his lap. "You are my forever love," he whispered.
“As you are mine,” I whispered back through tears.
George wiped away my tears with his thumbs as he held my face in his hands.
Then he kissed me.