How did those stars help you? she thought, and her eyes stung. They couldn't save you from the rocs. You fell while I linger on, no beacon to guide me.

The pain clutched her like claws. She had not shared her grandfather's faith, but she missed him so much that breathing hurt, and her throat felt full of coals.

The blast of wings sounded from behind, and Dorvin flew up toward them. He held a goose in his mouth, which he chomped and swallowed, spitting out the beak. "And I follow my belly, and these geese are delicious." He coughed feathers right onto Maev. "I think the flying mammoth arse here is guided mainly by her loins, which burn for me." He whistled. "Hotter than dragonfire, they are."

She showed him her dragonfire, blasting him with a jet. He winced and swerved, dodging the brunt of the attack, though not before she had charred several of his scales.

"You're certainly not guided by your mind, Dorvin." Maev growled at the boy. "You don't got one."

He rolled his eyes. "That's your insult today? You're as witty as you are beautiful, Maev, old beast."

When she tried to roast him again, he darted off with a smile to hunt more geese. Maev grumbled. The journey could have been pleasant if not for that damn boy. Alina was too quiet, too mysterious, too pious, but at least she mostly kept to herself. Dorvin was a constant thorn in Maev's side; he couldn't last a moment without taunting her, singing bawdy songs, telling rude jokes, or nipping at her tail. Sometimes Maev wanted to stab him in his sleep.

"Let go!" she shouted when he grabbed her tail between his jaws, tugging at her just to hear her yelp. She freed herself and slapped her tail across his face, but he only grinned and flew off again.

Maev couldn't take it anymore. She just wanted to turn back, to fly home to the others. Even her brother, Tanin—a silly oaf of a thing—would have been preferable company.

Maev sighed. Where are you now, Tanin? Have you reached Eteer with Issari? Are you safe, and are you thinking of me too?

The unspeakable seemed to be happening. Maev was missing her family. She wished she could fly with Tanin again, even if they'd taunt each other and often come to blows. She wished Jeid were here, her gruff grizzly of a father, even if he'd spend the journey scolding how she spat, cursed, and rushed headstrong into fights. She even missed Laira; she hadn't known the young woman for long, but over the winter, Laira had become a dear friend. The Eteerian was perhaps more quiet, more reserved than Maev, but there was strength in her, a strength Maev saw and respected.

Where are you now, Father? Laira? Have the demons found you yet? I pray we meet again.