Hushed Willows tomorrow never comes until it's too late

Mae stepped back and nodded, falling silent. Her own dread stood at the forefront of her mind now; dread at the thought of seeing Reverie, apologizing, telling her that she meant to leave. Dread at the thought of leaving.

Hearthwood was nearly as bad as Swiftcurrent Creek had been in terms of tragedy and uncertainty. But somehow its leaders had come to mean nearly as much to her as those who led Swiftcurrent Creek. Or... the leaders it'd had before. Mae didn't know Reverie's brother, and she didn't care to know him. He wasn't her leader.

But Reverie was, and so much more than that. She was the first true connection to her mother that Mae had found, the first person to remember her fondly and know her well enough to speak of her. And in spite of all their arguments, Reverie had never given up on her. Mae didn't think she would now; she wasn't afraid of being cast aside. She was afraid of causing more pain.

Akavir couldn't save her from what she feared, but he could make it more bearable. So much stood between them, but he was still the safest place in the world. He always would be.