Strides back toward Garrick, Jarek, and Rian.
His face resets—calm, composed. His voice smooth, measured, in control.
As if the last thirty seconds never happened.
But I see it—the ease in his jaw, the way his shoulders have finally relaxed.
And my stomach flips again.
Garrick claps him on the back, grinning like this is the best thing he’s seen all week.“Bold move, Warlord.”
Jarek just shakes his head, somewhere between exasperated and amused. “That’ll make council news tomorrow. But hey, that’s their problem.” Jarek places a strong hand on the back of Thane’s head and pulls him in, then releases him with a laugh. “It’s about damn time, brother.”
And Rian—ever steady—nods once with quiet approval, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips.
The realization slams into me—they all knew. The entire Phoenix Ring had seen what I thought we’d kept hidden. Heat rushes through me.
Thane doesn’t acknowledge any of it. He’s already back in control. Already issuing orders. Like kissing me was just—handled. Like he hadn’t just staked his claim in front of theentire godsdamn outpost.
Like he hadn’t justchanged everything.
My mind spins. And just when I think I might—might—get my bearings—
“Hhhkk—” Lyra lets out a strangled wheeze.
I whip around, glaring at her before she can even open her mouth. “Don’t. Say. A word.”
Her grin only widens, eyes bright with pure, unfiltered delight. “I don’t have to. That was plenty loud all on its own.”
“It appears your Fire Warlord does not like to share.”Calryx purrs the words into my mind, humming with delight.
I forgot she can feeleverythingI feel now that we’re bonded, even though she is nowhere in sight.Godsdammit.I groan, pressing both hands to my flaming face. I am never going to survive this day.
And that’s when I remember—Kieran.
My breath catches, guilt tightening in my chest. I turn—he’s still standing there, hands loose at his sides, his expression—completely unreadable.
Shit.
“Kieran, I—”
He exhales. When his eyes meet mine, there’s no anger—just something softer. Knowing.
His mouth quirks, that familiar smirk playing at the edge of his lips. “Looks like you fell after all.”
The words hit deeper than I expect—quiet and exact. They settle in my ribs like truth.
But there’s no bitterness in his voice. Just acceptance. And maybe—just maybe—a glint of something unfinished.
He dips his head—gracious as ever—then steps past me, already moving on.
I just stand there.
Breathless. Spinning. Trying to make sense of what the helljust happened.
Somewhere behind me, Thane’s voice cuts through—calm, measured, controlled. Like he hadn’t just kissed me senseless.
Like he hadn’t just wrecked my entire world and gone right back to war plans.
