Drak’s eyebrows shot upward at the title, but he recovered quickly. With his usual gallantry, he smiled at Lys and inclined his head.
"The pleasure is mine."
I bit my lip to stifle a laugh as Lys’s cheeks flushed a deep crimson. Orcish charm, I suspected, might soon become as legendary as their skill with an axe.
“Fiona?!”
A familiar voice rang out, and I turned just in time for a whirlwind of motion to crash into me. The scent of walnuts and blackberries reached me the instant Kristan wrapped me in a crushing hug.
"Kristan!" I returned the embrace with equal strength, lifting her easily off the ground. Relief surged through me at the sight of her safe and sound. "You're okay!"
She pulled back slightly, seemingly unaware that she still hung in my arms. The difference in our size was striking. In my new body, she looked like a delicate doll cradled against me. Her beautiful green eyes shimmered with emotion, her lashes fluttering while one small, soft hand rose to cup my face.
"By the Goddess, Fiona… I thought… we all thought…" She swallowed hard, her voice breaking. "We were so worried. After you left, Lady Laurelin had a dream. She saw you being attacked by a dùthragh in the forest."
"This actually happened, Kristan," I said, helping her back to her feet. "But Malek saved me. I have so much to tell you."
Kristan finally noticed we weren't alone and spun around, coming face-to-face with Drak. I had to stifle another laugh while watching her take him in from head to toe. It was her first time seeing an orc up close, aside from me, and the height difference was almost absurd—her head barely reached Drak’s abs.
I introduced them just as I had with Lys, though Drak’s smile turned noticeably warmer when he saw Kristan. Her beauty and sweetness could enchant nearly anyone, even an orc.
"Well, this is all very touching, but we need to know what happened to Laurelin," Leone interrupted, immediately drawing Kristan's attention.
Her cheeks darkened, making the freckles across her nose and cheekbones stand out even more. My friend had never hidden the affection she felt for Leone, though he had never returned it—or at least, I didn’t think he had.
"I know where she is," my friend said. "In fact, I helped her escape."
Leone and I exchanged startled glances. Alyssandre brought her hands to her mouth in shock.
"Escape? Where to, Kristan?" I asked, urgency weighing heavily in my voice.
"She went after Merith."
She explained that my mother had suspected Fenric would attempt something against the court. Rumors of a coup d'état had already reached the Lord and Lady, and they had prepared themselves.
"Lady Laurelin said she would settle things with Merith and bring you back home."
A mixture of worry and love tightened my chest at the thought of my mother. There was no better mother in the world—she would sacrifice everything to protect us. That knowledge only deepened my guilt, because I didn't want her to fix anything.
I had finally found my place in the world.
"She shouldn't have done that," I said, shaking my head.
"Your mother would do anything for you, Fiona," Kristan reminded me, her eyes filled with tenderness. "She loves you."
Leone nodded, his brow furrowed with concern. He glanced toward Drak, a silent understanding forming betweenthem—the polished prince and the scarred warrior, united by the same mission.
"We need to know where Merith lives. Did she tell you anything, Kristan?"
Kristan shook her head, dejected. "No… I'm sorry."
Great. That complicated everything.
"I can go after your mother," Drak said, speaking for the first time since Kristan arrived. "You focus on solving the problems here."
My eyes widened at the offer. Leone looked equally surprised.
"No, Drak. We couldn't ask that of you," I said. "Besides, we don't even know where to start."
