They’re off before I can respond. I ease down and cradle my head in my hands to stare up at the stars, shining brighter here than they do in Nerwick. They appear only an arm’s distance away—as if I could reach out and pluck them from their inky canvas. Crickets and other insects hum their nightly hymns, and I wonder how the Idunns find and keep these and other creatures alive in The Wood. A question for the morning. A question for the daylight.

“We’re taking him to the inn. He asked that you make sure no one touches his crossbow.”

Rising to my elbows, I see a larger woman carrying a dead-asleep Lin draped across her shoulders.

I chuckle as she leaves, and my breath hangs in the brisk air. I rest back in my hands.

Someone kicks my foot, and I’m pulled from relaxation yet again. It’s Lorna. She’s smiling as I’ve never seen her smile before.

“I take it you had a good night?” I ask.

“Something like that,” she laughs, and her cheeks flush. “Okay with you if I take the other bed?”

“Yeah, I don’t want it. You should know that.”

“I do know that,” she corrects. “I thought you might want to give it to the girl.”

I shoot up. Idalia. Where will she sleep? Lorna is waiting, so I laugh lightly.

“You think I’d give a Verdanian a bed and leave one of my own without? You definitely drank too much. Get inside.”

For the first time since we started this trip, Lorna sends me a look filled with gratitude, satisfied that I haven’t forsaken my people.

I smile and lie back again, listening to her boots scuff against the old wood as she makes her way up the spiral stairs into the trees. No one remains outside now but me—and her.

I shut my eyes and try to let the gentle breeze and crisp air lull me into a deep, peaceful sleep. Any other time, this would work. Tonight, though, thoughts keep me awake. My heart thuds and my breaths are labored. I can’t rest because I can’t stop thinking about Idalia.

With a sigh, I prop myself up on my elbows and look to the last place I’d spied her, but she’s not there. She’s gone. Good, now I can sleep.

Though, she is my captive. What if she’s escaped? What does that matter! She doesn’t even have a map! Honestly, how far could she even get? Still, it’s my responsibility to deliver her to my father. Yes! I must make sure she’s still here, my gods! What would my band say if they awoke to a missing captive princess? They’d have my head and…