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It was seidr. I wasn’t going to explain it. A new path was broadening for the man and he could feel it. That was all.

“Here is the room,” I said. “Will it do?”

Niklas took it in. Walls made of bone and rock surrounded us. In the center was an old, wooden table with a layer of dust thick enough to coat my entire body. It reeked of musk and ancient air, but he nodded.

“It’ll do just fine, I think.” Niklas placed his hands on his hips and took in the space once more, then spun on me. “I will need access to a stove or fire. Possible?”

“The cooking rooms are old and empty. They’re yours.”

“You never eat or what?”

“I eat.”

“Hmm.” Niklas had a mischief about his gaze. “You don’t speak much do you? Odd. For I’m quite certain you are the Wraith from Ari’s dream, and you spoke enough there.”

Dream walking was not reality, another part I wasn’t planning to explain. Mostly because speaking was growing uncomfortable. The familiar dampness gathered on my palms and my scalp prickled with the urge to duck away.

Niklas didn’t press and waved his hand about, gesturing at the arched ceilings of the catacombs. “No time to waste, I suppose. I’ll go speak to Arvad.”

I jolted when he clapped me on the arm, like I’d witnessed folk do when they were attempting to be friendly. He flashed me a quick grin, told me to take a moment to go rest before the royals of every kingdom bombarded me with questions, then disappeared back up the staircase.

Centuries of solitude, now I had whole royal households as my damn guests.

My chest grew tight and my skin heated.

Other folk were thrilling in many ways. I was glad they were here. It was the right step, a unified front and all that. But the noxious, painful pieces that came when too much chatter, too many bodies were close by, had me also wishing the lot would find their own space and leave me to be alone with Calista.

I shook away the unease and followed where Niklas had gone up the stairs, anxious to find the only person in the entire palace that brought me solace.

Calista wasn’t in the music room. I thumbed a few strings on a lyre out of habit to soothe the race of my pulse, and went to look for her.

Folk strolled the corridors of the palace now. I avoided them. Truth be told, they seemed to avoid me, but curious gazes followed me as I strode past. I leaned into the shadows, seeking their dark reprieve. Most of those wandering about looking for rooms didn’t look familiar. Then again, I knew so few faces. Only those who’d truly stood closest to Calista all this time were recognizable. These unfamiliars were likely members of the thief guilds, other warriors, or possibly servants.

I kept my gaze schooled on the woven rugs in the halls until I rounded into the corridor with Calista’s bed chamber. Not a moment too late, for when I stepped into the hall, Calista backed out of the room. Soft steps, movements like a whisper, she gently eased the door closed.

In a breath of relief, without a thought, I wrapped my arms around her waist from behind and let my brow fall to the back of her head.

She jolted with a little strangled squeal, whirling around. Calista snickered and smacked my chest a few times. “Don’t startle me like that.”

“Sorry.” Now, I pressed my brow to hers. “You make it easier to breathe.”

Something about my words drew a small smile over her lips. She kissed the hinge of my jaw. “You weary of socializing?”

I balked. “If you call muttering a few words to the Falkyn, then avoiding every other soul in this damn place socializing, then yes. I’m quite finished.”

“Shhh.” Calista pressed a finger to my lips. “You’re normally so quiet. Lower your voice.”

“Why?” No one was around. Finally.

“We have exhausted littles in my bed.” She gestured at the door. “The only way we could get them to part with their parents at all was by promising they could all sleep in my magical room.” Calista wiggled her fingers.

“There’s not magic in—”

Again, she pressed her finger to my lips. “Silas. Hush. There is, and if you want them to sleep so we can make plans, you will agree with me.”

I dipped my chin and murmured against her finger. “As you say.”

“My royals are all meeting in the hall.” She gave me a cautious look. “Do you wish to join? You don’t have to, I can tell you what is said.”