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All of it was familiar. It made little sense.

The barest flicker of a flame cut through the trees. I let out a cry and dove toward the small camp. Niklas, Junie, and their Falkyns had arranged traps and wards that kept Davorin’s dark glamour out. Still, every face was tense, everybody seemed ready to lunge and attack.

Ari shot to his feet with Mira asleep in his arms. Which of the two refused to part with the other, I didn’t know. Since pulling her from the burrow, Ari hadn’t taken his hands off the girl. Then again, nor had she. The only time she seemed to breathe at a normal pace was when both her little hands were clasped in mine and Ari’s.

Gorm, Magus, our folk who’d joined us in the journey to explore beyond the altered isles, rose at the sight of me.

The Falkyns watched with curiosity, sharpening their blades or checking the wards endlessly.

I slipped behind a shrub where I’d abandoned my clothes while Rune landed in front of the king.

“Well? Anything?” Ari asked.

Rune folded his wings, grinning, and accepted Bo’s subtle hand when the tracker went to his lover’s side. “Oh, we found a great deal.”

I slipped my gown overhead and stepped into the camp before I’d finished tying the belt. I pecked Ari’s lips, but he kept his face close. “I learned quite swiftly after you left, that I cannot do that again. I’m not certain I’ve taken a breath since you flew away, sweet menace.”

Gods, I’d never tire of this man when he allowed the sincere vulnerability to snap through the surface. I kissed him, slowly, Mira’s body pressed between us.

“It is a good thing I did,” I whispered against his mouth.

“Tell me why, though, for I doubt I will agree. Any place without you is never a good thing.”

“Because she found us.” Valen’s voice snapped Ari’s face away.

The Night Folk king grinned a little slyly as the others filtered in behind him. Now, like Ari, Kase and Malin carried exhausted twin boys. Valen had Livia perched on his back. More and more, folk from both the North and the East filled in with their blades, littles, and a thirst for battle in their eyes.

“Ah, finally decided to join the fun, Nightrender?” Niklas tossed a pouch between his hands.

Kase glowered and eased Sander onto a grassy plot of land. “I come with armies from the North. Seems like you are the ones joining the fun, Nik.”

Niklas chuckled. Relief burned in his eyes at the sight of the Kryv and the Eastern folk. But the sight of the somber boy walking between Isak and Fiske, Niklas’s face shadowed. “Where are Luc and Dag?”

Kase’s eyes shaded black. I wasn’t certain he could control it. In a rare tender moment, he brushed a lock of Sander’s hair off his forehead. “We’ll speak about things soon.”

Niklas blinked, scratching his head as his chin fell. Junius clasped his hand, a palm over her mouth.

Doubtless, they already knew there would be a somber tale to tell.

“Gunnar.” Herja shoved through the procession.

“Maj.” Gunnar released Eryka’s hand and sprinted for his mother. He swallowed her in his arms. Soon, Hagen hooked an arm around his son’s neck, then embraced Eryka much the same. Gunnar laughed and teased his sister, donned in her warrior’s gambeson, then embraced Dain and young Metta.

“For a moment, we can be at peace.” Herja kissed Gunnar’s cheek, smiling.

Ari gently eased Mira into my arms, then crossed the camp in four strides toward Valen.

“I keep trying to think of something grand and hilariously amusing to say.” He paused, and clasped Valen’s forearm. “I’m afraid I must disappoint us all and simply say it is a great relief to see you, My King.”

Valen pulled Ari into a quick embrace as best he could with his daughter still clinging to his neck.

Ari tapped Livia’s nose. “Been a frightening adventure, Princess?”

“Etta broke,” she whimpered.

Ari’s smile flickered a bit, but as he’d always been able to do, he hid the disquiet masterfully. “I see. Well, the good in all this, is now it seems we’re all much closer together. I know for a fact the Nightrender is especially thrilled by this turn of events, don’t you think?”

Kase groaned. “Soon, I will demand that Valen or your own wife build me an isle of solitude to escape your voice.”