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“Layala?” Evalyn called stepping out from behind a pair of Ravens. “Is it really you?”

Layala pulled away from them, and her dirty hand flew to her mouth. She rushed forward, throwing her arms around her aunt. “He didn’t tell me you were here!” She pushed back, searching her face. “How did you get here?” She looked at Thane. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I thought it would be a nice surprise.”

Evalyn hugged her tightly. “I missed you, my sweet child. Are you well? What can I do for you?”

“I’m fine now.” Her smile revealed her pretty, white teeth and tears sparkled in her eyes. “How did you meet Thane? I’m just so surprised you’re here.”

“Well,” Evalyn said. “I found him so I could find you.” She brushed her hand over Layala’s wild hair, flattening out the strays. “So, you can come home. Everyone misses you. Forrest and Ren have been positively bored without you. It took me convincing them every day to let you go and do what we always planned.”

Layala gently tugged away from her aunt and looked at Thane. “You didn’t tell her?”

“I told her enough.”

Evalyn patted Layala’s wrist. “Your mate bond is broken, and you are free to come home. He said he’d let you go if that’s what you want, and it’s what you want, isn’t it?”

Everyone watched with rapt attention, Thane included. Would Layala choose to leave? He couldn’t even fathom it but if that’s what she chose… Maker, he suddenly felt nauseous even thinking about it. He couldn’t bear her opting to leave him a second time.

“I love him,” Layala said. “And I will go where he is. As much as I love Briar Hollow and you, and the others, Thane is my home now.” She looked at him. “He’s my everything.”

Fennan whistled and pushed Thane in the back. “Go on, give her a kiss after that.” Deep chuckles from the Ravens standing all around brought a lovely blush to Layala’s cheeks.

“Don’t be shy on my account,” Evalyn said, shaking her head but smirking. “I’m just a little taken aback given—everything.”

“Now it’s uncomfortable with all of you watching,” Layala said, rolling her eyes and waving her hand in dismissal.

“Don’t worry, I’ll get that kiss later.”

Leif slapped Thane on the shoulder. “Hopefully more than that after the rescue we just pulled, aye.”

“Oh, Maker above,” Layala crowed and folded her arms. “We’re not even going to start a public discussion about what Thane and I do.” She rolled her eyes then glanced around. “Does anyone know what happened to Tifapine?”

“Here I am!” Tifapine poked her head out of the saddle bag on Phantom among the trees nearby. She stuck her arm out and waved but kept the leather flap half covering her. “No need to worry about me.”

Layala’s hand pressed to her chest. “Tif, I’m relieved you’re alright.” Tif smiled but when many of the Ravens turned to look at her, she quickly ducked back inside and slammed the flap closed. Layala shook her head slowly but smiled. Things hadn’t changed with the little gnome.

Thane turned back to Piper and Fennan, beaten and bruised because of his incompetence. He should have seen Aldrich for the traitor he was sooner. Piper’s swollen black eye made his chest hurt and he didn’t know how serious Fennan’s arm injury was. “I should have been able to get you all sooner. I am sorry I was not.”

“Don’t say that. We’re just thankful you’re alive,” Fennan said, patting Thane’s armored shoulder. “We heard many rumors. For a couple weeks we thought you were dead, and the only reason we were being kept alive was to be used against,” his gaze shifted to Layala, “You.”

“Thatisthe only reason you were kept alive.” Layala let her eyes drop and her perfect lips turned into a frown. “And it would have worked. I would have done it.”

Thane ran his fingers from her shoulder to her wrist and gently wrapped his hand around hers. He wished he could feel her emotions and send her comfort. It was so strange he couldn’t. A lifetime of feeling that gentle tug, that line of connection obliterated in a few moments. Would they ever get that back? Would she want to be mate bonded to him again? Now there was a choice.

“Sire, we shouldn’t stay here long,” Leif offered, removing his helmet. He shook his long red hair and smoothed pieces of it down. “They will track us here.”

“What’s our next move?” Fennan asked.

“Head north.” Thane released Layala’s hand and folded his arms.

“We can’t leave,” Layala blurted out. “I promised your father death and I’m not leaving without making good on that.” Her chin trembled slightly. “He slit Reina’s throat. Did you know that? He starved me for weeks and locked me up in that tower. The bastard needs to die, and we know exactly where he is right now. This is the perfect time.” Layala lifted her chin and met him with a hard stare. “And we can take Mathekis down while we’re at it.” Some of the Ravens murmured. She pinned them with a glare. “Are you afraid?”

Evalyn stepped to her side and held her hand, rubbing her back with the other. Such a motherly thing to do. “Honey, you need rest and healing.”

Thane nodded in agreement with Evalyn, but he knew better than to try and tell her she couldn’t do something unless he wanted a fight. “You are brave, and I admire that. But many have tried to kill Mathekis. He’s nine hundred years old and no one has done it yet. And my father has two thousand soldiers or more at his disposal who won’t hesitate to kill us. Even if I had all five hundred of my Ravens here it would be a very bloody battle that would take the lives of too many of my soldiers.”

She tore her gaze away, muttering a curse. “Swear to me, I will get my revenge.”