I pulled up to Lakin’s house, and the sight of his steambike parked in the drive assured me he was at home. My nerves jangled a little as I headed up the path to the front door—Lakin had a huge crush on me, and he’d made it known on more than one occasion that he wanted more than my friendship. I hoped he wouldn’t react too badly to my betrothal to Iannis, and that he would still be willing to help me out.

“One second,” Lakin called when I knocked on the door. It sounded like he was toward the back of the house, maybe in his bedroom. My lips twitched as I remembered the first time I’d knocked on this door. He’d answered wearing very little and looking quite embarrassed about the fact. Hopefully, he’d put on a shirt this time.

Yeah, unless that was just a strategy to get you into bed.

I frowned. I hadn’t thought of that at the time. I hoped Lakin would respect the boundaries I’d set for our friendship, because I would hate to have to end it. He was Roanas’s successor, after all, and responsible for the safety of Shiftertown. I didn’t want things to be weird between us.

“Sunaya!” He threw open the door, a friendly smile on his rawboned face. His reddish-yellow shifter eyes glowed with pleasure, and an answering grin sprang easily to my lips. “I was just thinking of you.”

“What a coincidence.” I looked him up and down. His short, blond hair was damp from a fresh shower, and he wore a button-up red shirt and tight pants that clung to slightly damp skin. He’d foregone shoes, which meant he probably hadn’t gone out yet. The lack of shadows beneath his eyes told me he’d gotten a good night’s sleep, maybe even slept in.

“You’re looking a hell of a lot better than the last time I saw you,” I commented as he let me in.

“Yeah, well, I’ve had a bit of time to recover from my little vacation in Prison Isle.” His voice darkened, but only for a second. “I hear you went on a little vacation yourself.”

I snorted. “Yeah, if being stranded on a deserted island with no amenities of any kind could be called a vacation.” Luckily for me, shifters were much better at surviving in the wilderness than the average human. I made my way into his living room and plopped down on the couch. He’d added a bookshelf and a side table, and there was a still-life painting on his wall that I didn’t remember seeing before. “I nearly went insane trying to keep myself occupied.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re home safe.” Lakin eyed me up and down, then cleared his throat. “And, um, congratulations on your engagement.” He looked away.