I left the palace and began walking along the roads through the city.
I avoided eye contact with the witches and warlocks I passed by, hoping that most wouldn’t recognize me after all this time.
I knew that if I was to live here long-term, I couldn’t keep avoiding people.
I’d have to become more sociable and reintegrate myself with the society.
But my heart was still bleeding.
Any company but my own was too much of a burden to bear.
Each street I passed along seemed to have its own set of memories and walking down it unleashed them afresh in my mind.
Hardly anything had changed here, even after all this time.
I’d never thought I’d see the day when I’d be welcomed back home with open arms.
Now that I had been, I couldn’t deny that nothing could replace The Sanctuary as my home—not The Shade, not anywhere.
I walked for hours along familiar streets until I approached the edge of the city.
The buildings were becoming fewer and fewer, while sparkling lakes and fragrant meadows surrounded me.
My breath hitched as I caught sight of a waterfall crashing down into a gorge.
I approached the hanging bridge connecting one side to the other and began walking across it, breathing in the crisp air.
I stopped once I reached the middle of the bridge and gripped the railings.
As I stared down at the churning waters beneath me, my vision started to become hazy again as more tears formed behind my eyes.
Memories of Kiev began to play in my mind.
From our first meeting in Aviary, to the first time we’d made love in my lake house… all that had happened between us washed over me.
I wondered if Kiev felt any remorse over what he’d done to me.
Or whether he was just angry with himself for getting caught and causing me to leave the island unprotected.
I was sure that it was the latter.
He was too besotted with Sofia Novak.
I thought back once again to the night I’d seen them both standing in the Port.
Derek Novak had been watching the scene too.
I hadn’t been able to bear staying there a moment longer, so I didn’t know what had happened after I left.
But I was sure that Derek would kick Kiev off the island.
Perhaps Sofia had left with him.
I brushed my tears away angrily with the back of my hand.
I need to stop wasting my thoughts and emotions on a man who cares nothing for me.
Determined to distract myself, I continued walking along the bridge and, on reaching the other side, I climbed down to the rushing water.
Discarding my dress and stripping to my underwear, I dove in.
Surfacing, I rubbed my face, washing away the tear stains from my cheeks.
Loosening my hair, I swam closer to the waterfall.
I was about to duck down behind it when someone called my name.
“Mona.” A deep male voice.
I cast my eyes toward the direction of the voice to see a warlock with long blond hair standing at the bank, arms crossed over his chest.
I swam closer to him, staring at his face.
It was strangely familiar, but somehow I couldn’t quite put a name to it.
“You don’t remember me, do you?” he said, removing his light cotton shirt and sliding into the water with me.
I shook my head, still staring at him.
“Coen.” He held out a hand.
“Coen Brymer.
My family lived opposite yours, and we went to school together.” “Oh,” I said, stunned.
“Coen? You… look different.” The Coen I remembered had been a wiry, shy boy with short-cropped hair and a pale complexion.
Nothing like this tan, well-built man.
I probably wouldn’t have recognized him even if I spent all day staring at him.
He smirked.
“I guess we’ve both grown up since we last saw each other…” I shook his hand.
“It’s beautiful here, isn’t it?” I nodded, backing away from him a little.
“I hope you don’t mind me intruding,” he said, wetting his hair and flicking it back.
“That’s okay.” “I’ve been curious to see you ever since Brisalia mentioned you were back.
Lots of us are… Though I see you’ve been keeping to yourself.” I heaved a sigh.
“It’s been so long since I was last here… and so much has happened since.
I guess I’m still trying to ground myself.” “That’s understandable,” he said, eyeing me closely.
“I guess it also must be bizarre being welcomed by the same people who expelled you all those years ago.” Coen clearly wasn’t one to skirt around subjects.
I gave him a small smile.
“Yes, that too.” “If you wanted a little help in reintroducing yourself to people here, I’d be happy to assist.” “Thanks.” “It might be too soon after your arrival, but a small group of us—mostly old classmates—are gathering to celebrate my older brother’s birthday tonight, after the sun goes down.
There’ll be music, food, dancing…” He swam toward the bank and climbed out, grabbing his shirt and buttoning it up.
Straightening, he looked down at me.
“If you feel like it, just come knocking.
I still live in the same place… opposite your parents’ old home.” I nodded, swallowing hard.
“Thank you, Coen.
I’ll think about it.” “You never know, it might help to take your mind off things.” He flashed me a smile before turning on his heel and vanishing.