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"At least I am saying goodbye right now. That is good, isn't it? And I grew many more of those poppin bushes around the stronghold, so you will always have them when I am gone. Is that a good farewell present? Liam said you'd be most upset if I left without doing either."

The knife twisted in me, and I turned to Liam. "What the fuck have you been telling him?"

He held his hands up. "Kaiya. You don't understand. It was all I could do to stop him. He's turning off his body somehow. He was going to do it last night, but I convinced him to wait so he could say goodbye to you in person. I tried to explain that there were optionsotherthan dying, but the stubborn man wouldn't listen to me! I was hoping he'd listen to you …"

I clenched my jaw and turned back to Rien. "No oneis dying today. Liam and I are going to get you out of here, Rien. So just — just stop whatever it is you are doing!"

The Forest God just shook his head again. "I see I have gone about this wrong. I am not good with humans. But I suppose that makes sense, given I am not human. Please think of me as a leaf, falling from the tree in fall. You do not weep for a falling leaf, do you? Not while knowing a new one will appear in spring. Thatleaf has fulfilled its purpose so it can rest as another takes its place. Do you see?"

Throat tight, I stepped closer to him, touching his cheek, desperate to make him stop talking. "You're not a leaf, Rien. You are a person. And your purpose isnotdone."

He smiled gently and shook his head. "You are wrong. I am a temporary extension of the spirit tree's soul — one of the many pieces that reach out into this world for a time, caring for the forest until their purpose is fulfilled — before returning to the tree once more. Like a leaf."

"No," I hissed. "I've talked to you. Held you. You are a person! And we don't cast off people likeleaves!"

"You don't understand —"

"What about all the things you haven't seen yet? Every night you told me all about the wonders you'd seen that day. I know you love seeing the world and the little moments it holds. And learning things! You love learning things. If you die, all of that will end."

"It will end for this body and mind … but the next me might enjoy them, too." His expression turned thoughtful. "Or he may not. Before you — I never even dreamed of leaving the forest, and now … what if — the next me does not leave the forest?"

He shook his head, the chains clanking against each other loudly.

"Did you know, yesterday, I saw a tired flutterwing land on a crying baby's nose. I thought the baby would scream and scare it off, but do you know what it did?"

I shook my head, heart aching.

"The babystopped crying.It sat so very still, and the two sat together like that for several minutes. It was quite … beautiful."

"See!" I said. "How will you see those beautiful things if you are gone?"

"I do not know," he sighed. "How will I see you, if my mind and body are gone? I — would miss seeing you,Kaiya."

"Ha." My cheeks heated as something deep inside me twisted at the sound of my name on his lips. "I — I'm not sure about that," I stammered. "But you understand what I mean now. Don't you?"

"Maybe I am a person," he said, eyes sad. "But I am also a key. And now Frexin has all three of us — the dragon, the giant, and me. Once she has her demon weapon, even my forest will be in trouble. I am sorry, Kaiya, to add weight to your branch, but I cannot let Frexin use me. I must return to the forest."

"No," I shook my head, throat tightening. "Please. We'll find a way —"

"KAAAIYA," a terrible voice boomed through the wall.

I jumped, staring in horror at where I guessed the stone giant was chained up in the next room.

"LISTEN TO HIM, KAAAAIYA," he boomed. And I could swear, it boomed in my mind as well …

"WE MUST NEVER FREE THAT DARKNESSSS … AND YET …"

Forsaken hells!! The monster was so close! If he didn't quiet down, he was going to draw too much attention …

The room shook again, and I stumbled to Rien, grabbing his face, forcing him to look at me.

His skin was so soft …

"Rien," I said. "You said you will return. When you do, will you still be yourself?"

His cheeks reddened, and he raised an eyebrow. "This feels … strange."

"Look at me!" I demanded, searching that pale gaze. "Will you remember me?"