"I can hear you both," Ambrose says without looking up from his contract.
"We know." Skye grins at me, something warm passing between us, an understanding that doesn't need words. We've both been watching. We've both been worried. And we're both here now.
I glance around the cavern, looking for the others. Stellan has found the community's youngest members, a cluster of children with unstable essences who are thoroughly enjoying his fire tricks. He's conjured a small flame that dances between his fingers, the kids mesmerized, reaching for it without flinching. Jade is across the cavern talking to Mira, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed while she gestures at something I can't see. Whatever she's telling him has his full attention, his tail still for once.
And then there’s Harlow standing at the cavern's edge, deep in conversation with the old man whose essence flickers between solid and translucent. Two beings who understand what it means to exist between states, finding common ground.
"They're good with them," Skye says, following my gaze. "The kids, I mean. I didn't expect Jade to be so patient."
"He knows what it's like to be young and scared of what you are."
Ambrose sets down his pen, flexing his fingers. The trembling has gotten worse. Skye notices immediately, catching Ambrose's hand and bringing it to his lips, pressing a kiss to his knuckles.
"Break time," Skye says.
"I have two more families—"
"Who can wait fifteen minutes." Skye stands, pulling Ambrose with him. "Rumi, help me with him."
I take Ambrose's other arm, and together we guide him toward one of the smaller alcoves branching off the main cavern. He protests weakly, but there's no real fight in it. He's too tired to resist both of us.
The alcove is carved smooth by decades of patient hands, the three of us settling against the wall, Ambrose between us, and for a moment we just breathe together. "You two are ridiculous," Ambrose mutters, even as he leans into Skye's warmth on one side and mine on the other.
"You love it," Skye says, pressing a kiss to his temple.
I watch them together, Skye's easy affection, and Ambrose's reluctant acceptance that slowly melts into something softer. The wanting I've been carrying for the last few days rises up so strong I can taste it. Skye catches my eye over Ambrose's head. His expression shifts, something knowing settling there, and he tilts his head slightly. An invitation.
I lean in and press my lips to Ambrose's jaw, just below his ear. He goes still between us.
"Rumi..." His voice comes out rough.
"I've been wanting to do that all day," I admit against his skin. "Longer, maybe."
Skye's hand finds mine behind Ambrose's back, squeezing once. "So have I. Wanting to see you do that, I mean." His voice drops lower. "I’ve been wanting to watch you with him."
Ambrose makes a sound that might be a whimper, though it’s a bit lower, carrying the full weight of his essence. "You two are going to kill me."
"Eventually," Skye agrees cheerfully. "But not today. Today we just want you to rest."
I turn Ambrose's face toward mine, giving him time to pull away. He doesn't. His green eyes darken a little, his breath coming faster. "Tonight," I tell him. "After the work is done. I want more than this."
"We both do," Skye adds.
Ambrose closes his eyes, overwhelmed. When he opens them again, something has shifted in his expression. “Mmm, I like the sound of that.”
4
Skye
Byevening,Iheadtoward one of the alcoves we were given to rest before continuing our journey. Harlow, Jade, and Stellan are a mess of limbs, my stepbrother spread between them with the demon and the phoenix curled into his sides. A small smile spreads across my face, relief warming my chest.
I never thought we'd get here. Even with the world as chaotic as it is, the six of us together is more than I could have hoped for.
Movement catches my eye from the alcove's far corner. Rumi and Ambrose are tucked against the wall, sitting close enough that their shoulders touch, their heads bent together as theywhisper things too quiet for me to hear. Rumi's wing curves around Ambrose's back, a protective canopy of gold-streaked feathers, and Ambrose is leaning into him in a way I've rarely seen him. Something has been building between them for a while now and watching them finally give in to it makes me happy
I cross the alcove quietly and settle beside Ambrose, close enough that my thigh presses against his. He glances at me, and I nod slightly. Permission. Encouragement. Whatever he needs from me right now.
Rumi moves first, turning Ambrose's face toward him and presses his lips to Ambrose's mouth. The kiss is soft at first, almost tentative, both of them learning the shape of this new thing between them, Ambrose making a small sound as his hand comes up to grip Rumi's shoulder. The kiss deepens, and my breath catches in my throat.
