“Probably.” Kieran’s voice is calm. “But that’s a problem for tomorrow.”
Finn waves a hand. “Seconded. Spooky mountain vibes noted. We’ll deal with it when we deal with it. Right now I’m trying to enjoy the fact that Kaia isn’t screaming.”
“Romantic,” Torric deadpans.
“Realistic,” Finn counters. “I’ve got low standards at this point. ‘Everyone is alive and no one is on fire’ is basically a win.”
“No one is on fireyet,” Torric says.
“See? Optimism.”
The fire crackles. Mouse’s purring is the only sound for a long moment.
I let my gaze drift across the cave.
Finn has sprawled out completely now, one arm flung over his eyes. Torric is still tense, but it’s the normal tension — watchful, not wound to breaking. Aspen has tipped sideways, his head resting against his brother’s shoulder, eyes half-closed.
Darian is lying on his side, finally,finallybreathing normally. The tight coil of guilt that’s been wrapped around him for weeks has loosened.
And Kieran…
Kieran is holding Kaia like she’s the most precious thing in existence. His ancient stillness wrapped around her. His gold eyes soft in a way I’ve never seen from him before.
She didn’t break because she doesn’t want us.
She broke because she finally felt how much we all want her.
I close my eyes.
Tomorrow, we face whatever’s waiting at the gate.
Tonight, we rest.
All of us.
Together.
Chapter 36
Aspen
I wake to the wrongness before I see her.
The air in the cave has shifted. Colder. Sharper. The kind of cold that doesn’t come from weather — the kind that comes from magic pressing against the edges of a space that should be safe.
My eyes snap open.
She’s standing three feet inside the cave entrance.
Platinum hair. Flawless posture. Gold insignia gleaming at her throat even in the dim morning light.
Alenya Virath.
“Well.” Her smile is a knife wrapped in silk. “Isn’t thiscozy.”
My frost crackles to life before I’m fully conscious, spreading across my fingertips in sharp crystalline patterns. Beside me, Torric jerks awake, heat flaring instinctively.
But it’s Darian who reacts like he’s been stabbed.
