Rynna’s heart tightened, and slowly, she leaned in, her lips grazing his as if testing something fragile.
Kaelith stilled, his hand resting against her neck, holding her there in the still moment between breaths.
“And what in the Elemental fuck is this?”
Kaelith released his grip.
“I thought I killed you, snake.” The voice cut through the clearing again, hard and familiar. “And I thought you were supposed to be with Guide Fenn. Not that that was a shock to anyone.”
“Taren?” Rynna turned slowly, her hands refusing to release the monster who’d dared to love her.
He stood there, arms crossed, his long ponytail swaying slightly in the breeze, dark strands of hair falling loose into his face. With a quick shake of his head, he flicked them out of his eyes, revealing a faint shadow of stubble dusting his cheeks.
That’s new,she thought, taking in his appearance.
She hadn’t seen him since he’d left after the Ascension, determined to find out more about his parents’ deaths. He looked older now, his frame still lean but with corded muscle visible under his sleeveless tunic. The dark fabric clung to his torso, its intricate stitching a discreet departure from the standard Reach uniform.
“Miss me?” The corner of his mouth twitched up, the loose folds of his deep blue shirt shifting as he adjusted his stance.
Rynna stared for half a second longer, taking in the long, frayed scarf draped across his shoulders, and then sprang at him, throwing her arms around his neck in a fierce hug. “Are you kidding me, you asshole! It’s been almost five years!”
Taren huffed, catching her easily, the black boots hugging his calves barely marking the dirt as he steadied her. “Except for that time you wouldn’t let me kill that old twat.”
“You glaring at me for thirty seconds and then disappearing doesn’t exactly count.” She punched him hard in the shoulder, feeling the solidness there. “Besides, living is way more miserable for that old bat than dying. Trust me.”
Taren shrugged, shaking off her punch with a grin. “She was just a small piece of the problem anyway.” His fingers fidgeted. “And I learned a lot following your lead. Wasn’t worth the fight.”
His gaze slid past her to Kaelith, and his face hardened, lines carving deep across his features. “But that one should be dead.”
Shit. Please don’t say anything stupid, Kae.
“This generation, Rynna.” Kaelith pushed himself off the tree he’d been leaning against. “So ungrateful.”
Taren’s lips curled in disgust. “You’re a foul, unnatural monster. Death would be a kindness.” His hand drifted toward the great sword strapped to his back as he turned to Rynna. “What has he done to you?”
She let go a weary sigh and rested her hand on his, her fingers sliding over the tense grip that held the sword’s hilt.
“You would stay my hand again?” His jaw clenched. “I don’t know if I can walk away this time.”
“Will you listen?” Rynna asked, her eyes pleading.
Taren looked from her to Kaelith, pausing. Then, finally, he released the air he’d been holding, his hand easing off the sword.
“For you,” he said, his voice softer now. “For you, I’ll give you fifty heartbeats.”
“Okay.” Rynna hugged herself, unsure of where to start.
Just tell him the truth, Kaelith’s voice whispered in her mind.
The truth? Rynna thought bitterly. She barely knew the truth of her own life anymore. But there was no turning back now.
“Kaelith and I were together over fifty years ago, during the lull in the last great Hollow-born war.”
Taren’s eyes widened, but he said nothing, waiting for her to continue.
“Then I... uh...” She hesitated, the words catching in her throat. “I...disappeared.”
“Without telling me you’d be leaving and never coming back,” Kaelith muttered.
