His voice was tight with urgency, but all I could feel wasdistance. A widening chasm I couldn’t close, no matter how close he stood.
“You sound like the Order,” I muttered. “Cold. Efficient. Focused on answers that have nothing to do withme.”
His brow furrowed, caught off guard by my tone.
“You asked if Cyran is helping the Sigil,” I went on, voice rising, “but you didn’t askif I was alright.If I was scared. Or if I evenmade it outof that meeting with my father intact! Not physically, but emotionally.”
Remy opened his mouth, but no words came.
I shook my head. “Did anyone ever actuallywant meforme?Not because of my fae heritage. Not because of my bond withKaelith. Or because I might unlock some kingdom-saving secret. But just… because I wasworth wanting?”
The question left me breathless. I glanced down, my chest tightening with a pain I couldn’t name. Not physical. Not magical. Just…raw.
I didn’t get the chance to say more.
Because the wind shifted, and the stones beneath us trembled.
Kaelith landed hard, her talons scraping the stone as her wings snapped once before folding in. A second later, Hein descended beside her, his silver scales slick with moonlight, eyes glowing faintly as he settledtoo closeto her side.
Were they… flying together?
Remy turned toward them, exasperated. “Kaelith, can you give us some space?”
Kaelith’s growl vibrated in the stone beneath our feet, low and dangerous.
But it wasHeinwho moved first.
He stepped forward, wings lifting slightly in warning. His tail lashed once. Twice. A low, rattling snarl rose from his throat as his body tensed—not like a dragon defending his territory.
Like one preparing tostrike.
“Easy,” I said, stepping between them before things snapped out of control.
He didn’t attack. But his stare burned into Remy like embers under skin.
And somehow, I knew.
He’d heardeverything.
The barracks door slammed open.
Riven stepped out first, her gaze cutting toward me, then Remy. Naia followed, expression unreadable but watchful. Then came Cordelle, quiet and watchful, already noting everything with his scholar’s stare.
And behind them was Jax and Ferrula.
Jax took one look at me, then at Remy, and his jaw flexed. He strode forward, planting himself directly between us, Ferrula at his side like a wall of steel and quiet rage.
“I think she said she’s done with you tonight,” Jax said flatly, folding his arms across his chest.
Remy didn’t move. “Did Kaelith actually send a warning to your dragons?”
“She didn’t need to,” Jax replied. “We heard Ashe raise her voice. You’re being a dick, Remy. Back off, or you and I will have achat.”
His voice turned to steel on the last word.
Remy scoffed, low and amused. “Please. You couldn’t take me on your best day.”
Ferrula stepped forward, the firelight catching on the edge of her armor. She came to stand just slightly in front of Jax, her fingers curling around the pommel of her sword with casual ease.
