“Yeah—yeah,” I cleared my throat. “Let me show you around.”
I feinted left, then hooked right—clipping Fallon’s jaw with my fist.
Her head snapped to the side, but she only grinned and rubbed her chin. “Damn, I’m a good teacher,” she laughed.
I shook out my knuckles and dropped back into position, circling her in the training ring. The sun was sinking behind themountains, stretching long shadows across the Hollow. I hadn’t seen Lakota since morning—he’d spent the entire day soaring through the peaks, stopping only to eat.
There’d been no warm welcome when we returned. Just one of Arrow’s guards at the entry bridge, delivering a curt message: Arrow expected our full report by this evening.
We spent most of the day settling in. I’d given the newcomers a tour of the Hollow, answering what I could and leaving the rest to Fallon, who—surprisingly—was in a decent mood and didn’t seem to mind their questions. We found unclaimed huts for Davis and Pehper, while Cleo and Tatum bunked with me. I requested a larger bed to fit the three of us. It took up nearly every inch of floor space in my hut, but I couldn’t care less.
Their presence was the only thing keeping the hole in my chest from swallowing me whole. The space Laney once filled still ached—but she would’ve been happy to see the three of us together again.
Fallon swiped low with her foot, trying to knock me off balance as she charged forward with a flurry of punches. I sidestepped, letting her kick slice through the air, dodging every strike. We squared off again, circling in the ring, breath steady, eyes locked.
Cleo and Tatum cheered from the sidelines, earning an exaggerated eye roll from Fallon.
After settling in, we still had some time before Arrow was ready for our report. I didn’t hesitate to squeeze in practice—and Fallon didn’t either.
We’d been going at it for almost an hour, and my sister still hadn’t knocked me on my ass.
I’d let myself be smug about it later—for now, I had to stay sharp.
“Fitz,” a familiar, deep voice called from outside the ring.
Fallon’s hazel eyes flicked from mine. Her features brightened instantly with a smile. I turned just in time to see Doryan leaning against the railing, arms crossed over his chest. He gave a nod, and I was about to return it—when Fallon shoved me hard enough to knock the wind from my lungs.
I hit the dirt with a thud, wheezing and laughing all at once. “Cheap shot.”
Fallon stepped over my sprawled legs, smirking. “Never take your eyes off your opponent, sis.”
Doryan chuckled. “She’s not wrong. He’s ready for you. Salvitto and Wylder will meet us there. Let’s move.” He nodded toward the far path and vaulted over the fence with effortless ease.
Just before Fallon followed, a sudden jolt of hesitation pulsed through ourmarekem. I frowned, confused by the unexpected flicker of emotion, but didn’t get the chance to ask. She cleared the railing, and I was close behind. I agreed with my friends to meet them later.
I trailed behind Doryan and Fallon. River emerged from between two huts and fell into step beside my sister. Fallon’s shoulders looked more at ease, her head turning toward Doryan, then forward again, as if they were mid-conversation. When he glanced at her and laughed, his smile was unguarded—bright in a way I hadn’t seen from him before.
From what I’d gathered, Doryan was a high-ranking soldier of the Hollow, all discipline and duty. He rarely spoke unless it was to instruct or inform. But he was also the only person I had ever seen Fallon let her guard down around.
Her friend.
Maybe… her only friend.
As we rounded the corner, I spotted a tall, broad-shouldered figure with dark hair, deep in conversation with a guard on the steps of the station hut. As if sensing us, he lifted a hand, pausing the conversation and turning to meet my gaze.
My heart fluttered.
He smiled softly, revealing a dimple.
My heart launched straight up my throat, stealing my breath.
As Doryan, Fallon, and River ascended the steps and disappeared inside, Rhodes lingered.
I took one more step, just enough to fall into his orbit. He towered over me, dipping his chin to search my eyes. The familiar warmth of cashmere sandalwood and vanilla wrapped around me, coaxing a part of me that longed to curl up in his arms and lose myself in the fictional story that had once kept me awake at night—right where I had left off.
He must have felt my hesitation. His gaze flicked toward the door, then back to mine.
He sighed. “Ready?”
