“I noticed.” His gaze flicks to Thane again, then back to me. Kieran is more observant than I realized.
Kieran’s smirk falters slightly as his gaze lands on the road ahead. “But seriously, Thalor—are you okay?”
I frown, surprised by the shift in his tone. “What do you mean?”
He looks at me like I should already know. “The merging of your fires.” His voice is lower now, quieter. “What happened back there wasn’t normal, and you both were at the center of it.”
His words hit like a stone dropped in my gut. Because he’s right. What happened wasn’t just the bond or prophecy. It was something else—older, vaster—and I don’t even have words for it.
I let out a slow breath.
I could brush it off and tell him I’m fine. But Kieran isn’t Lyra. He won’t tease or push—he’s just asking.
“I don’t know.”
The words slip out before I can stop them. Because it’s true and, frankly, I haven’t stopped long enough to really think about it.
Kieran watches me, and for once there’s no smirk, no teasing. Just concern—and somehow, that unsettles me more.
“You’re not alone in this, you know.” His voice is calm and steady. “I know you’re the Spiritborn and all . . . ”
He exhales, tilting his head toward the road ahead.
“But it’s not just you carrying this. The outpost is behind you. The entire realm is. We believe in you and stand by you.” His gaze holds mine, unwavering. “And that’s not changing anytime soon.”
I breathe out, taking that all in. He’s right. I’ve only ever been shown support since I arrived. And lots of natural curiosity.
“Thank you.” I glance ahead, where Thane rides, where Valen speaks quietly to Garrick. But knowing that and feeling it aren’t always the same thing.
Kieran nudges his horse closer.
“Well, if you ever want to talk about it,” he grins, lighthearted again, but I can hear the sincerity beneath it. “I’m an excellent listener.”
I smirk. “Oh? Since when?”
He presses a hand to his chest, mock-offended. “Since always, Thalor. I am deeply wise and insightful.”
I laugh, and some of the tension in my chest loosens.
Kieran is still watching me. And gods, he actually means it. I shift in my saddle, clearing my throat.
“The prophecy. Our magics.” I shake my head. “It’s not just something out of a dusty old scroll. I feel it, Kieran. And I don’t mean in some grand, destined way. I mean—it’s alive. It’s real. It’s doing something to me. Some kind of bond.”
Kieran raises an eyebrow. “Doing something?”
I nod. “I don’t know how to explain it.” I pause, fingers tightening around the reins. “It felt like something was waking up. And now? The bond isn’t just some force between me and Thane anymore.”
I exhale, steadying myself. “It feels like a thread, pulling me toward something older. Deeper. Bigger than just the two of us.”
Kieran tilts his head, thinking.
Then, in the most serious tone I have ever heard from him, “Ah, yes. The deep, complicated emotional turmoil of the Warlord. I, of course, have always understood it intimately.”
I stare. Then laugh.
I can’t help it. Because it’s ridiculous. Because it’s Kieran. Because I needed that.
He smirks, looking far too pleased with himself. “What? I have depth, Thalor.”
