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“Like shit.”

“That’s the exact phrase I was going to use!” He clapped her shoulders. “Those are the kindest words you’re going to be getting anytime soon, so enjoy ‘em.” He giggled like he was about to burst. “I couldn’t resist meeting you outside of the base. How was the trip?”

Lily bit her tongue, knowing her expression couldn’t hide every cross word she had for it. “Fine.”

His dumb smile continued to grow. “I’d love to hear all about it. I’m sure it’s filled with all sorts of thrilling details. Ten years of them, right?”

“Eight,” Lily squeaked as if that sounded better. Glad to see he hasn’t changed a bit. Other than his size. He was thin when he was a sentry, and now he had to be, what? A lieutenant? She was surprised to see him not trailing behind—

Lily’s heart jumped to her throat. “Hold on.” She took a step away. “If you’re here”—she glanced at an equally smug Draven and back—“Oh no.”

Sterling’s grin turned wicked. “Oh yes.”

No, no, no. She dragged her fingers through her hair and settled her palm against the back of her neck. “I thought I had a few more weeks…”

“I figured you might like to grovel in stages. Kyer and Maude first, then the Argents. You know, break up that wonderful social shame. What do you think? Is it too much?”

The Tomans. Two of the three she truly regretted leaving behind. Her second family. The one who saved her from the Stalkers and took her in after arriving in the Tyrisa Kingdom. How could she face them after all this time?

“They’re okay?” Lily asked under her breath.

Sterling’s smile shrunk, and he nodded.

A swell of relief washed over her, dredging up a shaky laugh. Lily had been so preoccupied with stressing about Amalia she never concerned herself with those that served under her. “This makes sense now.”

Sterling cocked his head, confused.

Lily groaned and threw her arms out toward Draven. “This! Of course Kyer would be crazy enough to thaw him out of the ice. What the fuck was he thinking?”

Sterling’s face tightened before he set his sights on her chain. “Ah, yes.” He tossed an arm around Draven’s back and hugged him until his ever-growing amusement disappeared from his face. “How was our reformed incarnation? Has he been a gentleman?”

Lily narrowed her eyes at Draven’s aversion to looking at her head on. “Completely,” she said with an accompanying smile. “I was only in a state of complete terror a handful of times, and he’s been oh, so patient.”

Sterling snickered and patted Draven’s bristling chest. “Wonderful. I’m sure you both had plenty of time to work through your issues. I’m glad to see it was used wisely.”

They both audibly groaned with disapproval, and Draven vanished from Sterling’s side, leaving Lily wishing she could do the same.

“Or not. Oh! Croll. It’s nice to see you.” Lily had nearly forgotten about the man who regarded Sterling like a stain in a garment. “Mind taking the horses back?”

Croll’s eyes flicked behind them, and Draven spoke up in Retian. Croll replied, and three of the four were taken ahead. Sterling approached Luka’s horse.

“And this must be what all the fuss is about.” Sterling bowed again, placing one forearm over the other, gripping his elbows and tipping his head forward. Luka ducked behind the horse’s neck, peeking out from between the strands of its mane.

Lily sharpened her tone. “‘All the fuss’ is Luka, and he is under my protection.”

“Save it for Kyer, Lils. Are you hungry?” Sterling turned to her when he didn’t answer. “Is he hungry?”

Luka nodded after Sterling’s back was turned.

“Starving,” she said.

“Perfect. So am I. Have you ever had a candied pecan tart?” Sterling asked Luka, who perked up a little. “Thought that might get ya. Consider it a peace offering.” He winked and snagged the reins. “Take a break, Atwood. You’ve earned it.”

“You’ve no idea.” Draven stretched an arm overhead and smirked at Lily.

Lily returned it with a scowl before he disappeared.

Sterling clicked his tongue, and the horse continued along the trail that followed a line of trees. “It’s still early, and I consider myself a fairly generous man, so I’m thinking we’ll get you both fed, bathed, and all spruced up before Zander returns.”