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I find him lounging on a flat rock near the stream, his tail flicking back and forth.

“You returned,” I murmur.

He gets to his feet, stretching his large form. His eyes turn to the forest and I wince.

“Wait.”

Slowly, Eamonn turns his head, his yellow eyes cold. I did damage with my words. Damage I somehow need to fix.

“Thank you,” I say. “For finding Madinia’s friends.”

“I didn’t do it for you.”

“I know.”

He turns again, and I clench my fists. “I’m sorry. I was…enraged when we spoke last time. I understand—that you couldn’t tell me. I know what it’s like to be forced to act in ways you would never choose to.”

Silence stretches between us. Finally, he inclines his head. “I forgive you.”

Relief surges though me as he disappears into the forest. Watching Madinia with her friends has reinforced my own lack. Eamonn was right. He was the only one to consistently be there for me since I returned to this continent. Truthfully, he’s the only one I have trusted since the moment I opened my eyes in that forest all those centuries ago.

At least until I met Madinia.

Madinia

I wake up wrapped in Calysian’s arms. His hands are gentle as he plays with my hair, his eyes hard as he stares into the distance.

I attempt to move, and Calysian tightens his grip, his eyes meeting mine. “This is becoming familiar.” He grins crookedly, and that grin is so normal, sohim, that something in my heart twists.

We shared his sleeping mat last night, and at some point, I drifted from the edge of the mat. Now, I’m sprawled over Calysian’s hard chest.

I’m not entirely sure that he’s the one to blame.

I lift my head. “Where is everyone?”

Calysian shrugs. “They left us to sleep.” His tone is disinterested, his eyes focused on my mouth.

I should get up. But I’m still so tired. He gently strokes my bruised cheek. “That looks painful.”

“I’m fine.”

Calysian nods, but a muscle ticks in his jaw. “I should have realized Haldrik was a traitor.”

With a sigh, I lay my head back on Calysian’s chest, listening to the comforting thud of his heart. “Ishould have. I knew him.” Even now, it’s difficult to reconcile the man who tried to kill me with the same man who sat with me those few nights in the galley. He’d been a silent support while I trembled from the remnants of my nightmares. “You were trying to fight the pull from that stone. What is it, anyway?”

“I don’t know. I remember nothing of any other worlds.” He hesitates, and then firms his jaw. “I know you left something out last night. What did Haldrik do to you?”

I tense, and he sweeps his hand down my back soothingly.

When I don’t speak, he cups my chin, lifting my head.

I wriggle even closer to his warmth. “He was half fae. I’d always wondered what his power was, but he was so…ordinary. I guess I began to assume he didn’tgetany power. I’m sure Daharak thought the same. Now I wonder if he ever used that power on her.”

“I wish you’d told me he was half fae.”

I sigh. “Honestly, I’d forgotten until we were in that clearing. Haldrik worked hard to appear as normal and unthreatening as possible.”

Calysian tenses at the reminder, and I shrug, letting my eyes drift closed again.