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He blushed and shrugged in feigned modesty, but that familiar rueful smirk crept across his face.

Seriously. Only fucking Liam would try something like that. But he'd actually pulled it off! Jaiel, Tye, and I were alive because of him.

"What about the bonded — Gram and Mirrim?"

"The bulk of the village fled on foot," he assured me. "And they're carrying the sleepers on stretchers that Frexin was kind enough tolendus."

I glanced over at the horrible woman, bound and hanging from the ship by vines. She looked more dead than alive. But I couldn't shake the feeling that we should leave as soon as possible.

"And, of course I brought Rien, as I'm sure you could tell. Rien! Come down here and say hello!" A moment later, Rien — the man, not the little vine version, descended on vines from the ship.

Serali was on his shoulder, and when she saw me, she dove into my chest, nearly bowling me over.

"Well, hello, little one," I laughed, heart warming.

"Hello, friend Kaiya," Rien said, moving to stand in front of me. "I am glad you are okay." His pale gaze slid over my body, brows knitted in the center. "I felt the taint on you, but it is mostly gone now. How did you do that?"

I ignored the question and reached my free arm around him, pulling him into a tight hug. "Thank you."

The Forest God's arms wrapped around me, pulling me in close —very close, just like he had on the hardest nights.

It was comforting, yes … but it also feltverydifferent now that he was a tall, handsome man, and not a little green creature.

To make matters worse, he bent his head in to snuggle into my neck, his nose and lips brushing my jaw.

It sent a shiver down my spine and made my breath catch.

I cleared my throat, cheeks burning, as I looked up to see everyone watching, brows raised. Tye was growling, but Rien either didn't notice or didn't care.

"I — uh," I stammered.

"You don't like it?"

Liam laughed. "Oh, judging by the color of her face, I'd say she liked it very much."

Tye's growl grew even louder.

Smiling abashedly, I pulled free of his embrace and took a much-needed step back.

Gods. I'd forgotten who was behind that little green man. I hope he didn't expect us to continue snuggling at night, now that he had his body back.

"How are you turning even more red, Kaiya?" Liam teased. "Thinking of how you'll take innocent Rien's virginity?"

Rien's brows drew together, and Tye could no longer take it, snarling and snapping at Liam, making the man yelp and jump back.

Laughing, I put a hand on Tye to calm him. "It's alright, Tye. Let'snotkill the people who just saved us. Alright?"

Tye huffed in agreement, but he kept his narrowed eyes on Liam.

If not for my worry over Jaiel, that moment would have been perfect. A brief respite after so much chaos.

"WATCH OUT!!" someone yelled from above.

We all looked up, confused, and were greeted by the sight of the airship beginning to tilt and sink on one side.

"What in the seven hells?" Liam whispered.

My heart skipped a beat, and I looked back at Frexin.