“But if she hadn’t,” Kythel said, “then he would have never found you.”
“Yes,” I said, giving him a soft smile. “You’re right.”
“And do you think he regretted that?” he asked.
Grief went through me, sharp and unexpected. Ithurtbut only because I’d loved him so much, and I didn’t think that was such a terrible thing. At all.
“No,” I answered, wiping at my wet eyes, unashamed to let him see. “I don’t.”
Kythel loomed before me, so tall that he blocked out the sun that was peeking through the canopy overhead.
Handsome,I thought, studying the sharp cut of his features, his dark hair, and the subtle downturn of his lips, like he was displeased all the time.Incredibly handsome.
This silly fascination for him was foolish, and I felt oddly guilty for it. I had no business letting my heart flip and twirl for aKyzaireof the Kaalium, even if I was beginning to think of him as my friend. I had no business pining overanyonewhen I should’ve been wholly focused on getting to my father, on fulfilling his last wish.
I was lonely. That much was obvious. But I enjoyed Kythel’s company. I believed he enjoyed mine. Our time was freely given. Was there anything wrong with that?
I didn’t have the answer.
“Thank you for thezylarr,” I said quietly. I motioned behind me toward the cottage. “Would you like to—”
But he cut me off before I could get the question out. “No, I’m needed in Erzan.”
“Oh,” I murmured. “All right.”
He hadn’t come to RaanaDyaanlast night, even though I’d lingered in the alleyway during my break for longer than necessary, then felt foolish for doing so.
“Will you come to thedyaantonight?” I asked softly.
Our gazes locked and held. I was holding my breath, my fingers curling against the splintering wood fence behind me—just one more thing that needed repairing, one more thing rotted by this place.
There was turmoil in Kythel’s eyes. Indecision, though it was brief.
Finally, he backed away, and my lungs released a slow breath.
“No,” he said. “No, I won’t, Millie.”
It felt like the firm words were in answer to another unspoken question, one we both heard.
Disappointed dismay flooded me, but I nodded.
“All right,” I said, smiling, keeping my tone light. Chipper, even. “Have a good afternoon,Kyzaire.”
He lingered, studying my features. Then, faster than I could blink, he whipped around, his strides certain and quick. He leaped into the air, pumping his wings hard and fast until he was beyond the trees.
Watching him go, I felt even lonelier than I’d been before.
CHAPTER16
MILLIE
Long after midnight, long after my night at RaanaDyaanhad ended, I was cleaning inside the cottage with a bleary gaze when I heard a heavythumpoutside.
Immediately, my eyes flitted to the closed door, trepidation rising. The Kylorr of Erzos might’ve stayed clear of this forest, but that didn’t mean there weren’t beasts living within it. Dangerous, large beasts. Kythel had said there were hunting cabins nestled within it, after all, for game. Something aboutlyvins.
All the exhaustion I’d felt left me in a single moment as I crept to the window. Peeking through the glass, I roved the front garden with my gaze before landing on—
I blew out a long breath of relief, my shoulders slumping. Then I backed away, another thread of nerves zinging through me.
