"You have some explaining to do," Lark said.
It was later, much later, after everyone had dispersed at they had told their story, leaving out as much of their feelings as possible. Lark and Rosethorn had forced Briar and the girls to bed, although Lark had a sneaking suspicion they were listening through the walls.
She, Crane, and Rosethorn were all seated at the table at Discipline Cottage. It was about eight at night and they had already eaten dinner and gotten Healers to tend to their wounds.
"Yes, we do," Rosethorn agreed.
"I feel like we've been gone years," said Crane, pondering over how to scoot his chair closer to Rosethorn's without making it too obvious.
They were holding hands under the table.
"It all started when we went off to go to this place of Moonstream's," Rosethorn began.
Lark stopped her, "I've already heard your story, but you cleverly managed to leave out why you two were kissing after you landed."
Rosethorn and Crane both blushed.
"Lets just say we don't hate each other anymore… and its not just because we saved the world together," Rosethorn stated simply.
Crane smiled wistfully and looked at Rosethorn, "I think I fell in love with you at least before the sun started going out…"
"That long? No wonder you were acting so strange," Rosethorn replied smiling at him.
Lark smiled to herself and said, "Well as long as you two don't murder each other, I'm going to bed."
"Goodnight Lark," Rosethorn called after her friend as she left.
Crane stood up and Rosethorn followed suit.
"I haven't had a chance to see my garden," Rosethorn said and started heading for the door, "I hope Briar took good care of it or he will wake up in the well."
Crane agreed, "and my greenhouse."
The two stopped as they reached Rosethorn's garden. Rosethorn reached out with her magic and touched each of the plants in turn, making sure they were all right. Unconsciously she took Crane's hand and they walked through out the garden as she checked them.
Once she was sure they were all right she turned and looked at Crane, taking his other hand in her other hand. Crane looked her, and at the moonlight, full and beautiful, reflecting in her eyes. He pulled his magic back away from his greenhouse, which was doing fine, and let himself forget everything that had been going on.
"I can't believe we're alive," he said, staring into her eyes.
"Me neither," Rosethorn agreed, giving a slight shake of her head, but never once letting her gaze leave Crane's.
"Oh gods, I love you," Crane said and kissed her, letting go of her hands and wrapping her in a hug as well.
Once they finished Rosethorn answered, "I love you too, Crane."
Little did they know four pairs of eyes had been listening and watching curiously.
"I wonder how that can about," Briar said, leaning back on the chimney and looking up at the stars.
"It's a Mystery," replied Daja.
"I wonder if we could get it out of them?" Briar wondered.
"No way!" the girls said at the same time.
"They'd never tell us!" Sandry insisted, "its far too personal."
"Look at that!" Tris suddenly said, pointing up at the night sky.
A little white flash of light suddenly flared up and darted across the sky. It stopped for a moment, taking the appearance of a large star or planet then moved again, becoming just a bit bigger. In that time, all four of them heard a message in their minds before it zipped off and disappeared.
The message was: WE'LL BE BACK…