When Anna's green eyes opened, the first person she saw was the baron. He stood there, crying.
The baron's face was covered in tears, cloudy streaks running down his cheeks. His lips trembled twice before he forced out a hoarse sentence.
"Anna, I'm sorry. I... from now on... I won't touch another drop of alcohol. I'll never lay a hand on you again, Anna, Anna..." His voice was swallowed by sobs.
Anna slowly raised her hand and gently touched his tear-streaked face. Her throat was so hoarse she could barely speak, but he could still hear her murmured words clearly.
"Philip..." She paused for a long time, her voice so soft only he could hear it. "I want to go home. Not Crow's Nest." A cough interrupted her. After catching her breath, she continued.
"Let's go back to the old house by the Aina Riverside, all right? That's where we met. The garden I planted with my own hands is still there."
"All right, I promise you." The baron clasped her withered hand. "Aina Riverside. The old house. The garden."
Tamara left Ron's side and slowly walked over to the other side, lowering her head to look at her mother. Her throat worked for a long while.
Anna turned her face slightly and raised a hand to touch her daughter's cheek. "Tamara, my dear daughter, you have your own companions and things you want to do. I'm proud of you."
Tamara's gaze shifted between her mother and the baron. She said nothing. Anna's raised fingers brushed Tamara's chin, and she did not ask anything else.
Ron turned around. In the courtyard, Gladden and several witch hunters were still standing where they were. Gladden's gaze passed over Ron's shoulder and landed on Keira behind him.
"Harboring a sorceress from the Lodge