She stared at him like he’d handed her a spellbook full of answers.
A groan rose from the ground behind them. Teren attempted to sit up, clutching his forehead. “What… hit me?”
“A falling rock,” Nythir said flatly. “Nature is dangerous.”
Essie elbowed him weakly. “Nythir.”
He ignored her. “You’re done for tonight. And if you go near her again, the next rock won’t stop at falling.”
Nythir had guarded secrets, caravans, and contracts.
This was different.
This was a boundary—and once crossed, it did not reset.
Teren wisely lay back down.
Nythir guided Essie away from the stream, keeping close but not crowding her. “We’re going back to camp.”
“I’m sorry,” she murmured.
He stopped walking.
Her apology hit harder than the situation itself. Not because it was unwarranted—but because it was automatic. As if fear alone constituted guilt.
Something old and vicious stirred in his chest. That reflex had been taught to her. Carefully. Repeatedly.
“What are you apologizing for?” He needed her to hear this part. Not later. Not softened. Now, while the moment was raw enough to rewrite.
“For… not understanding. For trusting too easily. For making you worry.”
He turned toward her fully, moonlight brushing pale gold over her features.
“You didn’t do anything wrong.”
Her breath caught. “But—”
“You trusted someone because you want to see the good in people.” His voice softened despite himself. “That’s not a weakness.”
“It feels like one.”
“It’s not.” He hesitated, then added, “And I’d rather spend the rest of my life throwing rocks at idiots than see you lose that.”
He had always believed vows mattered more than blood.
Perhaps that was why he had been so careful with them.
“Nythir,” she whispered, her voice small but full of something warm, something scared, something hopeful. “Why are you always—always—”
He reached up, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face.
“Because you deserve people who protect you,” he said. “Not people who make you afraid.”
Her eyes glistened. The bracelet pulsed gold. And for the first time since they’d arrived at the stream, Essie exhaled without shaking.
“Can we go back now?” she asked.
“Yes,” he said. “But can I ask to do something first?”
