Licking her lips, she tried to let go of the past. To not let it overshadow what was in front of her now. “I’m sorry Omira wasn’t the wife you deserved, Fain. And I’m really sorry that I allowed her bitterness to taint you in my eyes. Most of all, I’m glad I didn’t kill you like Kyr wanted me to do.”

He arched a brow at her. “Seriously?”

“You were the carrot he dangled to get me to go after Dancer.” She playfully slapped at his arm. “Ha! Joke’s on him now.”

He snorted. “We’re sick beings to find humor in that.”

“Yeah, well, I accepted my weirdness a long time ago.”

Shaking his head at her, he took her hand into his. “I’m glad to have you back as my sister again, Sumi. I’ve missed you.”

“I missed you, too,” she said with another sob. “More than you’ll ever know.”

He tightened his hold. “I’m here now, and I will never leave you on your own again.”

She let out a bittersweet laugh as she saw the bandage on his hand that matched hers. “Oh yeah. I forgot that we were both adopted today. You are legally my brother now.”

“Damn straight. And I should probably tell you that Andarion custom demands I sleep in the same room as you while you’re under the roof of an unrelated male.”

The blood drained from her face. “What?”

He laughed. “That expression is priceless. But don’t worry. Dancer would kick my ass if I stepped into his bedroom. And while I might be larger, he’s a lot meaner… and he bites in a fight.”

She rolled her eyes. “No, he doesn’t. I’ve seen him fight.”

“Not against me, you haven’t. He bites the crap out of me.” He held up his arm. “See.”

“Oh my goodness,” she gasped. There actually were several bite-mark scars on his forearm. “Why does he bite you?”

“I told you. He’s mean.”

She ruffled Fain’s braids. “I know better. He loves you too much.”

“Well, I wish he loved me a little less. Or that he’d find another chew toy.” He gave her a light squeeze. “And speaking of, you should return before he wakes. My luck, he’d come storming naked out of his room to look for you and blind us all.”

She rubbed noses with him. “Goodnight, Fain.” But as she left, she saw the sadness descend over his face again. And in the back of her mind was the fear that she and Dancer would meet the same fate as Fain and Omira.

How could they be happy when so many others weren’t? When so many others were out to end their lives?