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"You had no right to tell them" The words came out sharp.

"I had every right." His voice dropped dangerously low. "You're not just some soldier they can send on a suicide mission anymore. You're more?—"

"I don't even know what I am!" The outburst surprised us both. "I've barely had time to process any of this myself, and now you've just announced it to everyone like it's some sort of shield you can use to protect me."

"Of course I'm going to protect you against those with nefarious intentions." Something flashed in his golden eyes.

"I can think for myself." I stepped closer, anger making me bold. "Make decisions for myself. You were going along with that quite nicely before. What changed?"

He didn't answer, but his eyes narrowed.

"Is this because of Ashford?" I raised an eyebrow. "Because I was already planning on finding my friends in the West, the ones I was in a unit with. I told you this last night."

"I don't understand why you should be the one to speak with him," he said, running a hand through his hair and looking off towards the ocean.

"Because they're right. He might not listen to anyone else," I admitted quietly, taking a step toward Aether. "If he could join this resistance that they've started, it could change everything."

I slipped my hand into his and the rigidness in his posture melted as he pulled me towards him, my face pressing against his chest.

"I don't want anything to happen to you." His chest vibrated with the words. The fear in his voice could have been about my safety, but something told me he was more afraid of losing whatever this was between us. This fragile thing we'd only just begun to understand.

CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

The waves crashedagainst the cliff as we finalized our plans. Despite the Soleils' new hesitation about my involvement—now that they knew exactly who I was—we'd agreed to move forward, confirming that once a fortnight, we would each send representatives to Riftdremar to exchange information and any new advancements. My stomach churned at the thought of returning to Sídhe, but we needed allies. We needed the truth to spread.

"It's about four hours by ship," Osta's voice cut through my thoughts as she approached, her familiar presence already soothing some of my anxiety. "Please tell me you've gotten over the seasickness. Remember that time we took the ferry to?—"

Before she could finish, Aether let out a sharp whistle. Tryggar and Nihr emerged from the treeline, their massive forms casting shadows across the clearing. I caught Osta's expression shifting from confusion to terror as she stumbled backwards. Even the Soleils took a few steps back, their earlier composure cracking.

"We actually have our own ride," I said, fighting back a smile.

"Onthat?" Osta's voice cracked on the second word, her eyes wide as she watched Tryggar's wings flex in the sunlight.

"They're not so terrifying." I took Osta's hand and nearly dragged her towards the Vördr. Tryggar immediately pressed his head into my palm as we approached, his dark eyes gentle. Osta stood frozen beside me, clearly torn between fascination and fear.

She took a hesitant step forward, not taking her eyes off Tryggar. "Whoareyou?" Osta asked quietly.

I paused, not quite sure how to answer her question. "A lot has happened," I finally said, the words feeling inadequate even as they left my mouth.

"I can see that." Her eyes finally found mine. "You're different."

"You can pet him, you know," I teased, stepping aside to give Osta room to advance. She shot me a look that reminded me of all the times she'd tried to convince me to do something questionable and I'd refused. Eventually she sighed, taking a tentative step forward, reaching out to run her hand along the Vördr's neck.

"His name is Tryggar," I said as he nudged her gently, drawing a nervous giggle from her throat.

"Well you're just a big baby, now aren't you?" Osta cooed, her confidence growing with each stroke of his fur.

I glanced behind me, finding Aether at the cliff's edge. He stood perfectly still, staring out at the sea, hair being tousled by the wind. It had stopped raining, but the salt air and humidity had done marvelous things to his onyx waves, causing the ends to curl just above his shoulders, and at his temples.

"What's going on with the two of you?" Osta's question snapped my attention back. Heat rushed to my face as I realized she'd caught me staring.

"I don't really know," I managed, but Osta's knowing look told me she wasn't buying it.

"Come on, Fia. You know you can't lie to me about these things." She lowered her voice, though Aether was too far to hear. "If I thought Laryk's looks were intense..." She shook her head. "The way that man watches you—it's like you're the only person who exists." She paused. "It's actually terrifying."

The heat in my cheeks spread down my neck, guilt and something else tangling in my chest.

"He's... protective," I offered weakly.