I tucked Ethie into bed, the light beside her on the curving, bush like end table dampening on its own as she sighed and half turned over, cheeks pink from crying. At least she'd finally wept herself into exhaustion. Maybe a good sleep would heal her heart enough she could move on.
I'd found the doorway to her new bedroom after the Gate closed, startled by two additions-one on the same side as the room I'd shared with Liam and another next to the archive. The cavern knew, it seemed. Happily made room for us.
I left my daughter to sleep in the pale green bed, peeking my head in across the corridor. Gabriel was passed out, too, lips parted, left foot twitching under the covers as he dreamed. The power of the cavern whispered around me, soothed him back into quiet.
I wanted to believe it was Liam. But I knew better than to go looking. My love was gone this time, for good. And no amount of wishing would change that.