“Tell me what happened after the fire,” I asked softly.
Cassian’s face darkened. “I went back into town for supplies, hoping the gates would be open. That was when I overheard Corvessa speaking to her men. She was making sure the fire consumed everything, that the Dregs could not be rebuilt.” His nostrils flared with anger.
“She admitted to starting the fire in the final trial. Before I… killed her,” I said quietly.
Cassian gasped, his eyes wide. Clearly, he had heard little news since fleeing, and I couldn’t share that in front of my siblings. I didn’t even want my mother to know I’d taken a life.
“I got your letter. How did you find out she killed your brother?” I asked.
“I confronted her. Forced her to speak. Under my magic, she admitted to it, then tried to kill me.” He tugged down the collar of his shirt, revealing a scar running along his shoulder. “I barely escaped. Hid in the basement of my friend’s bakery until she left for the trial. Then I sent you the letter and ran, hopping trains, hiding in villages, until I made it here.”
I reached for his hand and squeezed. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
His fingers tightened around mine. His eyes softened, dropping to my lips in a way that made my stomach twist. I remembered when he had once asked me if I wanted to go on a date after the trials. It felt like a lifetime ago, but his eyes told me the memory was fresh for him, too.
“Kaelric and I are mates,” I blurted, pulling my hand back.
The words hung heavy in the air. Why had I said it? We were not married. The bond felt broken and fragile, but something about imagining Cassian in a romantic way felt wrong, as though I were betraying Kaelric. My heart was a tangle I could not begin to unravel.
Cassian’s face fell. “Wow, is that even possible? You’re human?”
I shrugged. “It’s complicated. I just really need a friend right now.”
“I’ll be whatever you need me to be,” he promised, voice steady.
My chest tightened. That promise carried more weight than the words themselves. He was telling me he could be more if I wanted, but that he would remain my friend if that was all I could offer.
“Thank you,” Iwhispered.
He was a good man. He always had been.
“Do you want to stay with us? You can have my room. I can bunk with my mom,” I offered.
He nodded gratefully. “If it’s no trouble, that would be great. My back hurts from sleeping on the ground for?—”
The guard cleared his throat, stepping closer. His sharp hearing had clearly caught every word.
“Cassian is not to stay inside your home for the night,” he announced.
I frowned. “Says who? This is my house. I can invite anyone I want to stay.”
“We have prepared a place for him. I will escort him there now,” the guard replied, ignoring my protest.
Heat rose in my cheeks. Was I truly not allowed to choose who could enter my own home?
Cassian sighed. “Jealous Kaelric. Some things never change.”
I froze. Jealous? No. That was impossible. Kaelric had made his feelings clear. Still, the thought unsettled me.
Embarrassment burned hot on my skin, so I forced a laugh. “See you tomorrow? Come for breakfast. We will have leftover peach cobbler and fresh eggs.”
Cassian’s smile was genuine. “Sounds great. I’mso glad to see you, Brynn. News in the small villages was scarce. I had no idea if you had survived.”
“I’m here. Safe and happy,” I said softly.
He glanced up at the house, nodding with a mixture of admiration and regret. “Kaelric did right by you and your people. He gave you more than I ever could have.”
Sadness laced his tone, and I reached out again, my voice gentle. “Will you stay in town a while?”
