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He hadn’t run. He hadn’t abandoned me. They had taken him.

“Is he awake?”

“Intermittently.”

“When can I see him?”

“When the medical team clears visitors.”

“How long?”

“I do not know.”

I opened my eyes. The prince’s expression didn’t soften, but his shoulders lowered slightly. His gaze held mine, steady as stone.

“But he is expected to recover.”

My breath left in a rush I hadn’t realized I was holding. The knot in my chest loosened all at once, leaving me lightheaded and unsteady.

I sat back down because my legs had stopped cooperating.

Veyr’s fingers stayed around mine.

I didn’t realize until then that some part of me had already started mourning him, silently and carefully, because admitting I thought he might be dead would have made it real.

I rubbed at my eyes. “Sorry.”

“No need,” Anik said.

I laughed once. “Yeah, well. I’m not crying.”

Veyr looked at me. “I did not say you were.”

“You were thinking it.”

“I am not telepathic.”

I looked at Anik. “He is.”

Anik’s face remained neutral. “I will not participate.”

That pulled a laugh out of me despite everything.

Good.

I needed it.

When the room settled again, Anik returned to my record.

“There is one part we cannot complete for you.”

I frowned. “What?”

“Your future placement.”

I stared.

He continued. “The administrative system requires a status designation.”