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“Yeah, okay. I should have been eating more chicken burgers. That’s criticism I’ll happily take on board.”

“Kathleen says she hasn’t seen you in Hogshead inweeks.When was the last time you even stole my cheese?”

I scowled. “You’re always bitching about it, and when I stop doing it, you tell me to steal more cheese?”

She softened. “Just… I’ve been worrying about you. A lot. And it’s really hard because Iknowwhy you’re in this state, and it reminds me way,waytoo much of when Aria left. I didn’t let myself acknowledge how much of me… left with her. Didn’t let myself grieve it properly. And I don’t want you to do the same.”

I forced myself to take another bite of food, just because I didn’t want to respond. It tasted like I was chewing on cardboard. Did Brandy suddenly suck at making chicken burgers? Because I didn’t remember them tasting like this.

“You loved her,” Emberlynn said, and I shrugged.

“Eh.”

“You called her your wife. I don’t think that’s something you do with a little crush.”

I shrugged, a little less energy this time. “Eh.”

She sighed, hanging her head. “You’ve always been so stubborn… it was almost better when it was about lizard breeding.”

“You know how much longer they’re gonna keep me in here? I need to figure out the situation at the bakery.”

She put a hand up. “Fong’s been checking in on the bakery at least to make sure nothing’s going wrong. It’s closed, but it’s not, like… the food is all rotting or the ovens are running or anything.”

“Fong’s just been going in there for better acoustics. Answer the question or I’ll ritually disembowel myself in front of you right now.”

“Easy there. Honestly?” She shrugged. “Despite the name, Doctor Hardy is kind of a softy. She’d let you off now if you asked. Just… please don’t rush out of here. You’re going to get seriously sick.”

“I’mfine.” I looked away. “Going to be seriously sick if I have to sit here brooding forever.”

“Please. Listen to what the doctor says. Atleastone more night here. Promise.”

“Fine. I promise. But I’m gonna be miserable.”

She looked down. An uneasy silence settled over the both of us. After a minute sitting in the tension, I cleared my throat.

“Just spit it out.”

“It’s just…” She shook her head. “Nah. Forget it. No point.”

“It’s morally indefensible to leave me hanging like that.”

She looked out the window. “I’m sorry. Sorry she left like that. I never would have imagined…”

I rolled my eyes, sagging in the bed. “Guess I should have let you leave me hanging.”

“Sorry.”

I shifted uncomfortably. “Um… thanks. You know. For checking in. Hanging around to make sure I’m okay. Bringing me a chicken sandwich.”

She perked up a little, giving me a sweet little smile. “Anytime, Pais. Said it yourself. Ride or die. I’m with you to the bitter end, no matter what.”

I laughed. “Hardly. I’m out here living to a thousand, and you’ve given up.”

“All right, all right. Well, if you’re living to a thousand, then so am I.”

“That’s better. You’re marrying into my clan, so you’re not allowed to dishonor it.”

She smiled wryly. “Clan,huh. Hell of a word. And I see you’ve moved on from telling me not to date your sister to just straight-up telling me to marry her…”