The sun rose over a gray, fog-blanketed city. Briar sat at his desk, his head in his hands. He had not slept all night.
Rosethorn, he thought. Why did you leave me, Rosethorn?
His teacher, a powerful green mage like him, and his beloved friend, had died the day before while carrying a basket of medicine to Urda's House. She had died before of a disease, but Briar and his sisters had been able to bring her back. Now, after all that trouble and power, she was gone.
Evvy, his own student who lived down the path, came in. "Oh, Briar, I'm so sorry about Rosethorn." She had known her as well.
"Thanks, Evvy. I just miss her so much. More than I ever missed anyone." He moved to the bed. "Sandry hasn't come back from Summersea yet. I wish I could help."
After talking a little longer, Evvy left. As she walked out the door, she paused. "Remember, Briar, tomorrow is another day."
All Briar thought about that day was Rosethorn: her plants, her brews, her voice, her gruff friendliness. He was alone all day; everyone else was busy.
At last, after supper, there was a knock at the door.
It was Evvy again.
He opened his mouth to speak, but she threw her arms around his neck, shocking him. It felt so good to be hugged, so natural and normal. He hadn't been hugged in so long. He hugged her back, not wanting another person to be taken away from him. His teacher was dead, gone forever; Sandry was in Summersea, sorting out Rosethorn's affairs; Tris worked at Lightbridge; Daja had been in a coma for a week. Briar's family was scattered to the winds. He held Evvy tighter.
They stood there for a long time, both silently weeping. Briar stopped after a while, and looked down at Evvy, who, in this late winter month, wore only a sleeveless tunic, and pulled his mage's cape over her. She smiled shakily.
She's so pretty, he thought. It had been four years since Chammur, and now she was fourteen. Stubborn, yes, but in a different way, like how she giggled when he became frustrated with her sometimes. He wiped a tear from her cheek.
Evvy watched Briar's face. He was so sad, losing Rosethorn. Evvy had always liked him a lot. Now he was eighteen, at the height of his good looks. He had become different lately, nicer, sweeter, and friendlier than before.
Without thinking, Evvy stood on tiptoe and kissed him lightly on the lips. She turned bright red. "I – I guess I'll see you tomorrow, then," she stammered, then left.
Briar watched her go, wishing he'd kissed her back. Well, tomorrow is another day.
Dedicated to the Briar/Evvy shippers out there.