“Everyone.”
“Everyone is an idiot.”
Despite everything, I almost laugh.
Revna’s expression softens—just slightly. “Kieran wasn’t always like this, you know.”
I glance at her. “Like what?”
“Quiet. Controlled. Brooding.” She waves a hand. “He used to laugh. Loudly. Dangerously.”
I try to picture it. Can’t.
“What happened?”
“He learned that caring too much burns the world down.” She pauses. “So he stopped letting himself care. Until you came back from the dead. When he felt you again.”
My chest tightens.
“He’s a complete disaster around you,” Revna continues. “Won’t admit it. Everyone sees it. Malrik’s keeping score.”
“Revna—”
“I’m just saying.” She grins. “It’s entertaining.”
I try not to react. Fail miserably.
Revna pauses, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully.
“Oh—reminds me. That little glowing menace—Walter, I think? He brought me to something yesterday. Wouldn’t leave me alone until I found it.”
She reaches into her pocket and pulls out—
The Heart of Eternity.
My breath stutters. I go still.
The shadows press closer—gentle, relieved.
Mouse purrs softly like he’s content.
Revna holds it out gently. “He seemed very sure you need this now.”
I take it carefully. The pendant is warm in my palm. Something in my ribs loosens.
“How did he—”
“He was… persistent,” Revna says. “To say the least.”
I close my fingers around it. The warmth settles something I didn’t realize was still fractured.
“Thank you,” I say quietly.
I hold the pendant for a moment, feeling its weight, then secure it around my neck.
The warmth settles against my chest.
Movement catches my eye—three shadows I don’t recognize drifting toward me from the edges of the square. Hesitant. Curious.
