20
Tempest and I knock on the door to Maxon’s mead hall. After taking a quick nap, we headed off to my brother’s cloud castle. The place is pretty stark. Gray brick walls, flagstone floors, and arched stone ceilings. Good news is that the doorman confirmed my family’s here. At least, Alden didn’t lie about that.
Footsteps sound on the other side of the door. “Who’s there?”
“It’s me, Portia.”
The door whips open to reveal a very tired but very happy Mom. She wraps me in a huge hug. “Baby! You’re safe!”
“We did it,” I say breathlessly. “The Firmament’s fixed.”
Mom’s thin arms keep an iron-tight grip on my shoulders. “I knew you could do it.” She barely gives Tempest a glance. “Thanks for taking care of my baby.” Mom calls over her shoulder. “Look, everyone! Our Portia is back!”
My fam
