“I’ll gather materials,” I say, pushing off the wall. “Aspen builds, Darian advises. Kieran—”
“I’ll check the route,” Kieran finishes. “Make sure the path is still clear.”
“And brood mysteriously?”
“If time permits.”
That might actually be a joke. Hard to tell with him.
Aspen heads for the staircase, his footsteps echoing off the stone. He moves with purpose now — finally something concrete to do after hours of…. listening.
I watch him go, then turn back to Kieran.
He’s staring toward the hot spring cavern again. Not moving. Just… looking.
“Hey.”
He blinks. Focuses on me.
“You sure you’re good?”
For a long moment, he doesn’t answer. Then something in his expression shifts — not quite a smile, but close.
“I’ve waited centuries,” he says quietly. “A few more won’t kill me.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
“I know.” He meets my eyes. “I’m good, Torric. Truly. Seeing them happy…” He trails off. Swallows. “It helps.”
I nod slowly. “Okay.”
“Okay.”
The word hangs between us. An understanding. A truce, maybe, between two men who love the same woman in different ways.
I clap him on the shoulder — probably harder than necessary, but he doesn’t flinch. “Don’t stay up all night brooding. We need you functional tomorrow.”
“I don’t brood.”
“You absolutely brood.”
“I contemplate.”
“Same thing. Fancier word.”
He almost smiles. Almost.
I head for the stairs, already cataloging what we’ll need. Rope. Something soft for padding. Something to bind the frame together. The fire rune on my chest pulses with warmth as I walk.
We’re really doing this. Leaving Japti. Climbing a mountain. Chasing Seren and Lira into whatever trap Alekir has set.
And somehow, despite everything, it feels right.
The group is finally aligned. Finn and Kaia, bonded. Malrik steady at the center. Me and Aspen are finding our footing. Even Kieran, for all his ancient baggage, feels moreherethan he has since we arrived.
We’re not whole yet. There are still cracks. Still wounds that haven’t healed.
But we’re closer.
