The willow, burned and blackened, began to bloom again white blossoms like snow falling upward.
Seraphine fell to her knees. "It has chosen you not to be children, not even to be lovers, but to be guardians."
The Hollow was broken. The darkness lifted. Villagers came out of hiding, weeping, offering apologies and bread.
Thalen ran to them. "The town… is yours now."
And so, Everspring began again this time built on truth, not superstition. On love, not fear.