“We Claerwyns are made of tough stuff, my love,” I tease, then stop, squinting into the distance.
“I don’t think they’ll need your help at the healer tent,” I say, a smile spreading across my face. “They’ll already be in good hands.”
I point toward the Miravow at a line of green-haired figures riding toward our encampment.
“Diomi!” Ana calls to the dryads ahead, catching their attention. “Did you tell them to come?” she asks.
“We did,” Diomi replies, looking at his colleagues with a bewildered expression. “But there’s no way our request for aid could have gotten north of Starfall yet. They must’ve started making their way here of their own accord.”
“Let’s go tell the other healers,” Ana says excitedly.
Yet when we turn the corner, I see a sight far more shocking than the appearance of the dryads. Damia Rhymis, also known as death on two legs, is holding hands with Corrin Wadestaff. And they’relaughing.
Damia’s laughter stops when she spots us, but I note that she doesn’t drop Corrin’s hand. Instead, she raises her chin to give me a defiant look.
“There you are, Damia,” I say. “I was worried you got mauled by a ruined, but now I see you’ve picked up something else from Hallowbane.”
“Very witty, Your Highness,” Corrin says, rolling his eyes, while Damia glares daggers at me. “But might I remind you that Hallowbane will be going up in the world soon, thanks to the reward I’ll receive as the queen’s advisor.”
He gives Ana a meaningful look, and she glances at me, amused.
“Don’t worry, I won’t forget,” she tells Corrin. “How can I, when it seems you’re about to become one of the family?”
Ana nods meaningfully between the two of them. Corrin beams, and Damia goes a little pale.
“That’s…not…I…” she stutters. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her so lost for words.
“We haven’t gotten as far as discussing that yet,” Corrin says smoothly. “But it’s early days. I suspect Damia will want to pretend she’s not madly in love with me for a few more months at least.”
“You already know how I feel,” Damia says, ducking her head and keeping her voice so low I nearly miss it. Corrin smiles even wider, and he squeezes her hand. It’s all so intimate, Ifeel almost embarrassed, thinking this is what Ana and I subject other people to. Though at least we have the good grace to keep most ofourproclamations of love inside our own heads.
“Stratton will be very disappointed,” I say, trying to lighten the moment. “He doesn’t want to be stuck as the only single one.” We all know Hyllus, who is perfectly happy on his own, doesn’t count.
Damia scowls at the thought. “Listen, you’ve got the fact you’re my captain to protect you. But you can tellhimif he makes any jokes then he’s snake food.”
Barb hisses happily, emerging from Damia’s collar to wind over onto Corrin’s shoulder and nestle her head under his chin. It seems Damia’s not the only dangerous creature to be charmed by the criminal.
“Oh good,” I say, grinning at Damia’s words. “She’s back to threatening people again. I’m glad to see you haven’t completely changed her personality, Wadestaff.”
“Stop teasing them,”Ana says, even though I can feel her amusement through the mooring. Corrin just laughs and tugs Damia away between the tents.
“Why? It’s so fun,”I reply, watching them go.“And you were stirring the pot too with your ‘part of the family’ talk.”
She shrugs. “I just thought with Harman and me marrying into this crazy fae clan, we could do with another human to balance the numbers.”
I blink at her. “Has Alastor…”
“No,” she laughs. “As if they’d have gotten engaged without Alastor blabbing it to every person in this camp. But you know it’s only a matter of time.”
I pull her tightly toward me, wrapping my arms around her. We survived, we’re together, and I can only think of one thing that could make me any happier.
“As long as they don’t get around to it before you marry me first.”
Chapter 38
Morgana
“Do you think it’s too much?” I ask, shifting in front of the mirror.
