Lincoln’s gaze stays locked on Walker. “Not beyond the few messages I gave him.”

A muscle flickers along Walker’s jawline. “I’m under an unbreakable oath. Myla’s mother must approve anything I say about her.”

“How about I act as proxy for my mother?” I twiddle my fingers in Walker’s direction. “I release thee from thy oath.” I want to hear how Walker ended up in my life too. Besides, the mega-tension in this hallway isn’t helping an already-anxious morning.

“That should work.” Lincoln’s eyes narrow. “Speak.”

Walker inhales a long breath. “Xavier was my instructor ages ago, in the Citadel. He became like a father to me. When he left Purgatory, he asked me to watch over Camilla. I took an unbreakable oath. When Myla was born, I watched over her too.”

Lincoln’s hands ball into fists. “So, Myla’s the mystery girl you’ve been visiting all these years?”

My brows jet upwards. Who knew I was a topic of conversation between Walker and Lincoln? For years, no less.

Walker juts out his chin. “Yes.”

My mouth rounds into an ‘o.’ It took my anxious brain a bit, but I finally get what’s going on here. I move to stand directly in front of the Prince, cupping his face in my hands. His day-old stubble tickles my palms as he stubbornly keeps glaring at Walker. “It’s not like that between us. Walker’s basically my brother.” I guide his eyes to look directly into mine.

Rage simmers behind the Prince’s features. “So, you two never?”

“Sha!” I roll my eyes. “I appreciate the jealousy, but we’re burning up valuable goodbye kiss time.”

Lincoln finally grins and leans in closer. We share a slow kiss. It’s sweet, intense, and over way too soon.

The Prince presses his forehead to mine. “Be safe.”

My tail musses his hair. “I will.” I kiss him one more time, just because I can.

I pull my mask over my face, suck in a deep breath, and turn to Walker. “Let’s do this.”

Walker turns to Lincoln, setting his fist on his chest. “Goodbye, Shield Brother.” I’m guessing this is a traditional farewell for the Aquilinea, but the way Walker says it, it’s more of a question: ‘are we okay?’

The Prince pauses, then moves his fist in the same motion. “Until we meet again.” The way Lincoln says the words, it’s an answer: ‘We’re good.’

Walker smiles. Together, we step out onto the Arena floor, heading toward a group of quasis clustered around Sharkie. All of them have long black tails with arrowhead ends.

Arena fighters. All part-Furor. The best in Purgatory.

The last time we were all gathered together, it was the Scala initiation. My forehead creases with questions.

“Walker, is there a ceremony today?”

“Not that I know of.”