My job would be to find Melina as quickly as possible while the others figured a way out of the monastery. It sounded simple...right?

As we changed and practiced our stories, Kerrick fed and watered the horses. He’d find a stable for them once we left. He’d been unusually quiet ever since Odd and his men had joined us. While we were gone, he’d planned to find that southern aqueduct exit and meet us there. Once we reached that point, he’d be in charge of getting us out of Ozero without encountering any trouble. And he’d help us lose any pursuers.

We had all the angles covered...right?

“We’ll leave two hours before the shift change,” Ives said. “That will get us there right at the end of the day shift. At that time, those guys won’t care who they let in. They’ll be more interested in when their replacements arrive than anything else.”

We finished going over the plan. I handed Odd the container I’d swiped from the infirmary and explained how it worked. With about an hour left before we needed to leave, I packed my bag and then headed toward the horses. Kerrick had found six hardy Tobory horses so we could double up. Yet only five stood.... Oh. It popped into sight along with Kerrick. He cleared a stone from the horse’s hoof.

I smiled. “For someone who doesn’t like horses, you sure know a lot about them.”

“It’s not a matter of like or dislike,” Kerrick said. “They’re useful at times and must be cared for. And since I’ve nothing else to do...” He checked the horse’s other hooves before moving to the next one—the large chestnut-colored stallion shifted his weight obligingly.

Ah. The reason for his...moping? I’d been so busy planning Melina’s rescue, I hadn’t had much time to spend with him. We shared a mount and a bedroll, but hadn’t had any privacy.

When he finished with the stallion, I blocked him from checking another. I wrapped my arms around his neck. His magic buzzed along my skin. “That can wait. I’ve something else for you to do.”

He met my gaze as he pulled me closer. The tingling sensation intensified, going deeper.

“I understand that staying behind is hard,” I said. “I’ve been on the waiting and wondering side of things too many times to count. All I can do is promise to be as careful as possible. Knowing you’re here is plenty of incentive for me to hurry back.”

“If you don’t, I’ll come get you.” A stubborn resolve flashed in his eyes. “I might be trapped in the forest, but I’m not without other resources.”

“I believe you. After all, you’re skilled at a variety of activities.” I raked my fingers through his hair. It had grown just past his shoulders—the longest I’d seen it.

“A few,” he admitted in a husky voice.

The heat from his body reached me through two layers of clothes. Or was that from my own internal fire? “Don’t be so modest. I’d bet you could find us a nice secluded little—”

Kerrick picked me up. His magic disappeared, but my body still hummed as we turned the colors of the forest. I hooked my legs around his waist. He kissed me as he carried me to...I’d no idea. All without missing a step.

When he laid me down, we broke apart for a moment. “Impressive.” I panted even though I hadn’t done any of the work.

“I’m just getting started. Next step, getting rid of all these annoying layers.” Impatient, he tugged on the brown robe.

“Yours, too,” I said, pulling on his short cape.

Soon we had a pile of clothing next to us. I shivered in the cool air. But I wasn’t cold for long. Kerrick warmed me up until a bonfire raced through my body.

* * *

A few heartbeats later...or so it seemed, time ran out. With great reluctance, Kerrick and I untangled and dressed.

Before we headed back to the others, he drew me close. “Do I need to lecture you?”

“No, I already promised to be careful.”

“Get in and get out. Don’t dally.”

“Dally? Seriously?”

His expression darkened. “Avry.”

“All right. No dallying and no more lecturing.”

Kerrick pulled an orange leaf from my hair. “Sorry. It’s...difficult for me to remain behind. You have my heart, my soul, my life. I’m an empty shell without you.”

Emotions lodged in my throat. I squeezed him tight. “You’re never alone, Kerrick. You and I are linked. Inside you is all of me. And I’ll be there forever.”

He tipped my head back and kissed me with such passion that I forgot about the mission and all the world’s problems in that moment of utter bliss.

“Hey, lovebirds,” Quain called. “Stop raking the leaves. It’s time to go.”

I broke off the kiss. “Raking the leaves? Is this one of those guy euphemisms?”

Kerrick sighed. “No that’s a Quain-ism. He has many of them.”

“Don’t tell me.”

We returned to the campsite hand in hand. The others had shouldered their packs and waited for me.

“I’ll be at that southern exit,” Kerrick promised, whispering in my ear.

“I’ll see you there.”

Kerrick and I shared one more kiss before he pulled power and we appeared normal.

Odd frowned at us. “We need to leave now or we’ll miss the shift change.”

I squeezed Kerrick’s hand before letting go. Picking up my knapsack, I slung it over my back. “I’m ready.”