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‘It’s not the same,’ Amrita argued. ‘You had no choice. I understand that now.’

‘And you didn’t choose to have your whole world upended.’

‘No, but I did choose how I reacted.’

‘Maybe, maybe not. But, like I said, I can forgive you that. I can probably forgive you most things.’

It felt like a multitude of eternities before she smiled and – clichéd though it was – their tiny patch of privacy beneath the blossoms seemed to glow more brightly. ‘Well, if you’re sure about that…’

‘I am.’

‘Then maybe this one could have a different meaning. A more specific one about intentions I might have towards you. Romantic ones.’

He took the flower between his fingers, gently twirling it as he studied it for long moments. Then he leaned forward and tucked it carefully into her hair, taking an extra moment to gently stroke her cheek. ‘I know we still need to talk – that we have a lot to work out – but is this OK?’

‘Yeah.’ Amrita leaned into his touch and his heart stuttered even as her breath caught and he closed the distance between them. He let his fingers trace down her jaw so he could tilt her chin towards him.

‘I need to know what you meant when you said it’s not a choice between you and here.’

‘Rayenne. She’s started teaching me. It’s going to take me time – probably a lot of it – but I’m already learning. And I like Hudsbury. It’s somewhere I’d like to try to be. With you. If you’ll have me?’

He stroked her cheek again, once, twice, his thumb wandering over the velvety-soft skin before he lowered his lips to hers. She tasted of the zingy sweetness of the wedding cake – and hope and promises. Of their future.

* * *

Lunar landed by Mist, almost startling the cat from her perch on the windowsill.

Whatcha doing?

Watching.

You know you’re missing out on cake?

This is just as sweet, the cat replied, golden eyes not moving from her target. And rarer.

What is it?

The world realigning to correct itself. She twitched her tail and smugly added, Things working out, just as I told you they would.

Lunar peered out of the window. You did not! I told you.

Mist’s disdainful glare might have worked on anyone else who wasn’t crow-kin. Whatever. It works. And so do they.

Like I said they would.

Insufferable featherbrain.

You’re just annoyed that I’m right. Lunar took off, swooping back down before the cat could reply.

EPILOGUE

Amrita and Jamie snuck back into the barn, hands tightly clasped. She was a bit dishevelled, despite her best attempts to smooth things out in the bathroom mirror, but struggled to care all that much. She was surprised to see the wedding party was all but over, with the large room empty but for the few final stragglers who had dragged their chairs into a rough circle around a table filled with cake, snacks and drinks.

‘It’s about time.’ Mia laughed at them. ‘If you kept us waiting much longer, I was going to send Mist out after you!’

‘What did we do to deserve that?’ Jamie demanded, letting go of Amrita’s hand long enough to pull over a couple more chairs.

‘Kept the bride waiting.’ Katie poked out her tongue as she wrestled with another bottle of bubbly.