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“Find Taly, find Taly, it’s all about Taly. How do you even plan to find her?” Kato leveled him with a look. “Do you have a plan, or are you just grasping at straws?”

Skye’s eyes cut to the door. “I figured out how to use a blood simulacrum. It’s more accurate than an earth mage’s locator spell, and it will work even if she’s been turned into a shade. I’ve also been able to glean a few memories from the blood samples I lifted from her necklace. They’re patchy, but… she was alive when she went through the palace gates. And if she’s—” Skye stopped, seeming to think better of what he was about to say.

“If she’s what?” Kato prompted, already knowing the answer.Dead.

But Skye shook his head. “Nothing. Just… she’s alive. Taly’s alive, and I’m going to find her. I won’t leave her out there to die.”

“If you leave the protection of the city walls,” Kato said, not bothering to mince words, “you’ll probably die.”

“It’s a risk I’m willing to take,” Skye said just a little too quietly. His fists clenched at his side. “Do we have a problem?”

“No.” Kato smiled, not in the mood to start a brawl. “I just figured if I didn’t at least try to convince you to stay, Mother would kill me too. Likely throw my body into a grave alongside yours, and believe me, I don’t plan to spend eternity next to you.”

Skye’s lips twitched, and he almost smiled.

“She’d probably also kill me,” Kato went on, “if I didn’t at least try to offer you some help. Lord Kalahad Brenin—I met him when we were camped in Della, and I’ve spoken with him a few more times since we’ve been back in Ryme. He seems honorable, despite his reputation, and he might have some resources at his disposal. Give me a day to talk to him, and I might be able to get you a contingent of men to guard your ass while you go rescue your damsel.”

Skye gave Kato a long look, considering the offer, turning it over in his head. After a moment, he merely snorted and said, “Taly would kill you if she ever heard you call her a damsel.”

“Oh, I don’t doubt it.” From the few days he’d known her, Kato had quickly learned that the little human was a hellion. “And if you manage to bring her back, I might even let her. After the way I confronted her, I think she’s allowed to give me a good kick in the balls.”

Setting himself down at a nearby table, Kato reached for a discarded helmet, frowning at the large dent that caved in one side. “In return,” hesaid, sensing Skye come up behind him. “I want you to get out of this damned workshop. Take a shower, shave, comb your hair, maybe grab that earth mage I always see moping around here and go get a drink. You look so pitiful right now, I can’t help but be nice to you, and that’s not something I’m comfortable with. I’ll fix the armor, even give you credit when the Marquess inevitably asks, if you just leave and don’t come back.”

“Why are you doing this?” Skye asked, a slight frown creasing his brow. “I mean really doing this?”

“Do I need a reason?”

A nod. “Most definitely. You’re the biggest asshole I’ve ever met.”

Kato laughed at that. He couldn’t deny it. “I don’t know,” he said, shrugging. “Maybe I just know what it’s like to send the woman you love away to die.”

The words surprised even him, and he hunched, pretending he couldn’t feel the pitying look boring into the back of his neck.

“You’ve changed,” Skye murmured, and Kato paused, glancing over his shoulder. “Thank you. For this and… for not saying that she’s dead.”

“I hope you find her,” Kato said and meant it. He pushed himself to his feet, grabbing the helmet and moving back to the armored suit still on the lift. “And if you want my help, then do what I say. Go out on the town, get a drink… enjoy yourself before you inevitably get yourself killed chasing after this woman that’s definitely not your mate.”

Skye turned to go, but Kato called after him, “And if you do manage to bring her back, don’t be surprised when I take a pass at her. I have a weakness for beautiful women that know how tohandle a dagger, and Taly did manage to stab me the first time we met. Given my history, that means I’m obligated to fall in love with her now.”

Skye’s answering growl had him laughing so hard he almost fell off the ladder.

Chapter 23

-From the personal notes of Ivain Castaro, Marquess of Tempris

Breena was married today.

Due to my position in the family, I was, of course, invited. However, since she hasn’t spoken to me since the incident—ignored all my letters trying to explain my reasons for doing what I did—I thought it would be kinder to not attend. Breena always dreamed of her wedding day, and I did not want to spoil it with old grudges.

Sarina tells me that the ceremony was lovely, the bride more than radiant, and that the gift I sent was well received. I recognize Atlas’ hand in this, but it still gives me hope that perhaps reconciliation may not be as impossible as it once seemed.

It was late afternoon, and Taly was sitting in the dappled shade of the great silverleaf oak that marked the center of the training arena. Her legs were crossed, her eyes closed. Bruises painted every inch of visible skin, and one of her wrists was broken, the bone already set but still mending. The pain, though excruciating, was a given at this point.

She’d taken a beating today. Worse than usual. And while she normally would’ve been sitting in the infirmary, guzzling faeflower and cursing Azura’s name, time was of the essence. If she was going to try this, it had to be now. Before the explosions began and the world reset. Before the memory of what had transpired that day got erased.

Nothing can escape the influence of time; therefore, everything has memory.

She’d read that in a book last week, and it got her thinking. She would be making more progress with the fairies if she could watch replays of her matches. It was a common training technique. Skye used to spend hours watching and re-watching the playback from his sparring sessions with Ivain, trying to see where he went wrong, how he could improve. And while Azura hadn’t been recording her matches, Taly had been toying with a new idea.