Vice couldn’t even summon a laugh or a smirk at that.

“Blackwood,” Saba said when he arrived at their makeshift seats. “That was—well, I reckon every woman here has found a new and deep appreciation for music after that.” She gulped her drink, eyeing him over the rim of her cup. “Half the men, too, I bet.”

Knigh scoffed. “Thank you—I think.” He topped up Saba’s raised cup with the jug of palm wine that had been thrust into his hands. He raised his eyebrows at Vice in question.

Yes. Oh gods, yes—more drink. She nodded and lifted her cup for him to fill.

He sank onto the log beside her, arm brushing hers as he looked into the fire. “You didn’t dance,” he said softly as Perry struck up a fresh tune. “You always dance. Was it that bad?” He gave her a lopsided smile.

“In case you hadn’t noticed, I haven’t danced at all—our Hesperian friends saw to that.” Wincing, she waved at her side.

His eyes widened, drifting down to her torso. “You’re injured? Is it bad? I thought—”

“Ah, I’m fine. I’m more annoyed they tore my shirt.” She shrugged. “Besides, you got hurt, but you seem to be managing.” Thin cuts had crisscrossed his arms and the back of his hand by the time the Hesperians had surrendered. “You even serenaded us with an injured hand.” She frowned. No bandages. “Hold on, didn’t you have a cut there?” She pressed her fingertip into the skin just above his knuckles—skin that was whole.

He flinched, gaze darting around, but Saba must have decided to leave them to it, as her seat was now empty. His mouth twisted to one side, and he leant close. “Can you keep a secret?”

She scoffed. Funny question for him of all people to be asking her. I’m Lady Avice Ferrers, your former betrothed. “I think so.”

He squinted and gave her an odd look, then glanced around. “Come on then.” He rose and started away from the fire.

“Come on then, where?” Raising an eyebrow, she hurried after him.

“I mean it,” he said when she caught up, “you can’t breathe a word of this to anyone.”

“Even if I knew what this was, I swear, I wouldn’t.” She glanced back towards the fire. “But, seriously, where are we going?”

“I don’t want them to see the glow.” Frowning, he glanced down at her side again. “Is it bad?”

“Glow? What glow?”

“You’ll see. I found a cave when I was wandering this afternoon. It’s not far.”

They followed a stream into the rainforest, near where she’d found him earlier. The fading daylight barely penetrated the sighing leafy canopy. Still, it was enough to follow the path even without her fae-blooded sight. Within ten minutes, a rocky cliff rose ahead, and the stream disappeared into a shadowy cave.