Finn’s expression flickers. Something vulnerable underneath the performer’s mask.
“She trusts Malrik to catch her,” Aspen adds. “When she falls. When she breaks. She looks for him.”
I don’t know what to say to that. So I don’t say anything.
“And Kieran?” Finn glances toward where Kieran is holding her. “What’s she like with you?”
Kieran is silent for a long moment.
“Guarded,” he says finally. “Wary. She watches me like she’s waiting for the next betrayal.”
The words land heavy.
“But tonight she let you hold her,” I point out.
“Tonight she was desperate.” Kieran’s voice is carefully neutral. “That’s not the same as trust.”
“It’s a start,” Darian says.
Kieran’s gold eyes shift to him. Something passes between them — not friendship, not yet. But maybe the beginning of understanding.
“Perhaps,” Kieran allows.
Finn yawns dramatically, breaking the moment. “Cool. Great talk. Very emotional. Now can we acknowledge that I had sex in a magical hot spring and it was incredible and I deserve recognition?”
“You deserve a rock to the head,” Torric mutters.
“Malrik was there too,” Finn adds. “In case anyone was wondering.”
“We weren’t,” Aspen says.
“He’s very good with his hands.”
“Finn.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Is there a version of this conversation where you have some dignity?”
“Absolutely not.” Finn grins at me, unrepentant. “Dignity is for people who didn’t just have a threesome with the love of their life in a sacred healing spring while her shadows watched.”
Torric chokes on nothing.
“The shadows watched?” Aspen looks horrified.
“Bob turned around,” Finn says. “Eventually. Patricia took notes.”
“Of course she did,” Darian mutters.
“Speaking of watching—” Finn’s grin turns predatory as he swivels toward Kieran. “Want to explain why you were lurking at the edge of the Berserker hall? Again?”
Kieran’s expression doesn’t change. “I was patrolling.”
“You werewatching.”
“I was ensuring her safety.”
“From behind a pillar. While she was between me and Malrik. Very safe. Very noble.”
Torric snorts. “He watched you two at the sanctuary, too. Back when we first came to Absentia.”
