He leaves us alone and Fen reaches for me, pulling me into a longer, more intimate hug than on the boat. I rest my head on his shoulder and breathe him in. It feels so good to be in his arms again, I don't ever want to let go.

"Have you healed well?" I ask. "I had to give you my blood. I'm sorry."

He chuckles and kisses my forehead. "Only you would apologize for saving someone's life at the cost to yourself. I'm fine. Thank you."

"Anytime," I say. "But you really should stop getting kidnapped and tortured by Outlanders."

He chuckles. "I've missed you, Ari."

"I still miss you," I say. "It doesn't feel like you're here, knowing you are leaving. When will I see you again?"

"Soon," he says, his voice low. "Soon."

Baron whines and pushes his nose between us. I lay my hand on his large furry head. "Take care of this guy for me, Baron, will ya? Don't let him do anything stupid." Baron licks my hand, and I pet him and then put my hands on Fen's chest. "We'll figure this out. We'll figure us out. But for now, go figure out your realm. Your people need you."

"They need you too," he says softly.

"Tell them I'm well, and that I miss them and my heart grieves for their losses. And tell Kayla... " My voice wavers. "Tell her I'm so sorry. So very sorry. I tried to save him. But I couldn't. I didn't know how, and it's my fault. I should have let her go. She would have known what to do."

"She doesn't blame you," Fen says. He lifts my chin with his finger, looking into my eyes. "No one does. It's war. People die."

"Don't die," I tell him. "I couldn't handle that."

"I'm not easy to kill," he says, grinning in his cocky way. "You'll be sick of me long before I die."

He leaves then, with Baron reluctantly following. Yami droops and makes little pouty noises as his new friend disappears out the door.

"We're both going to miss them, huh?" I ask. "I guess you don't get a lot of friends. Sorry about that." I walk to my new bed and sit down. "Are you hungry? Should I call for some meat?"

Yami wags his tail and flaps his wings, and I laugh and ring the servant's bell. Kara and Julian arrive, and I hug each of them. "It's so good to see you safe. Were you cared for well? Given a place to sleep and change?"

"Yes," Kara says. "Thank you. "

"Could you fetch some food?" I ask. "I need a lot of meat. Raw, or as raw as you can get it." They frown at me. "I think I'm iron deficient."

That doesn't help. They exchange a confused look, then leave to fetch the food. I change into more sturdy clothes, black leather pants and shirt. Asher would say I'm supposed to be resting. Healing. And yes, my ribs still hurt, but the medicine I drank is helping. I do love the potions this world provides. Elixirs that can cure anything, it seems. It would be interesting to learn more about the medicines here.

When the girls bring back a plate of raw steak, I let them know I'm going for a walk, I won't need them for a while, but I'd like to talk with them later if they are around. They leave, and I feed Yami, who acts as if he hasn't eaten in his whole life, though I know for a fact he eats all the time these days. Once he seems satiated, he curls around my neck like a necklace and purrs. I grab a black and red cloak and leave the castle.

The temperature has dropped, as if Fen brought the cold with him when he arrived. I miss the Prince of War, so I look for something else to occupy my thoughts.

I walk around the city and admire the different shops. Most sell clothing and jewelry, Asher's expertise. Women walk in outfits of feathers and flowing silk, the kind I'd expect to see at a fashion show. Men wear dozens of rings on each hand, their necklaces heavy with amethysts and rubies. But I'm not interested in clothes and baubles right now.

Black smoke billows from a stone building, and I smile and walk toward the smithy. A large hammer sits on the counter, and I pick it up, enjoying the feel of the weight in my hand. With one touch it brings back a flood of memories, of Daison and forging iron, of laughter and banter and friendship. Of fire.

I drop the hammer.

A large man—the blacksmith—walks over. "You okay, miss?"

He doesn't seem to know who I am. That's good. I'd like some anonymity right now. "I'm fine, thank you," I say, even as my hands tremble. I try to distract myself. Something catches my eye to the left. A large white tent teaming with people. "What's going on there?"

"The healing tent," he says gruffly. "The new Keeper set it up to tend to those wounded in the recent attack. Heard they're looking for volunteers if you've got any skill that way. Nasty fight that was."

"It was at that," I say. I wish him a good day and walk toward the tent. The new Keeper, Seri, is there, her white dress replaced by a simple grey grown. She bends over a bed, tending to one of the guards injured in the attack. His leg is broken, bone sticking out from his flesh. Seri has men hold him down as she sets his leg back into place. He screams and I cringe, but the Keeper is unaffected. Calm, precise. She washes her hands of blood and moves onto the next patient, a Fae lad who broke his wrist in the water. In Asher's presence she was all nerves and more than a little incompetent, but here she is in charge.

I must admit I am surprised. "Can I do anything to help?" I ask.