Arc 5: Victory and Roots
Page 81
A Binding Declaration
Rosie Vasquez, with the utmost solemnity a seven-year-old can muster, places a hand-woven flower wreath upon Chloe's head. 'You live here now,' she announces, and the room seems to agree. Marco smiles from his doorway, flour still dusting his apron, while Luna watches from the counter with her usual feline skepticism. Chloe, touched and amused, asks if the town council has been consulted. Marco, leaning against the doorframe, grins and informs her that Rosie IS the town council — and it's best not to argue. Somewhere between the wildflowers and Rosie's gap-toothed grin, Chloe realizes she has already been claimed.