Hushed Willows Sweet disaster

Larkspur's heart sank when Harlyn shook her head. She felt a numbness creep through her. If Mordecai hadn't come back here, then what were the odds he had ever resurfaced at all? Her eyes squeezed shut as a fresh batch of tears spilled down her cheeks and a sob caught in her throat. There might be hope for Pippin—and a return to the hollow was plausible—but right now, Spur could only mourn her daddy's likely fate.

"It's my fault, mommy," she wept. She had left, prompting Mordecai to come after her and accompany her. Then she had led them into the way of danger. "I'm so sorry," she whispered, lips trembling. "And I—I broke a promise to Deirdre and now I can't ask her to cast a spell to br—bring him back..." If there even was such a thing as a spell that could bring back the dead.