The path back to the central courtyards seemed a hundred miles, and every step, my resolve wavered. But that was why I had Sari with me. She held my hand, walking almost an entire pace ahead of me, gently tugging me whenever I lagged.
"Are you sure he's over here? You're not trying to run, are you?" she asked.
I nodded. There was no way I could mistake his aura. He hadn't moved from where we'd landed.
Elves gathered around us as we left the secluded shadows behind, but I ignored them and their greetings, keeping my eyes focused on the ground. Everywhere, there were smiles and laughs, but none of them were for me. Not yet.
We finally found them. Korra, Gayron, and R'lissea stood together, speaking in hushed voices. Korra gestured expressively with her hands, freezing as she saw me over Gayron's shoulder.
"It's going to be okay," Sari whispered, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze before letting it go.
I nodded, my tail giving a nervous flick.
