I keep watching her as we fly, unable to take my eyes away, wanting to live in this moment for a while longer. Knowing that as soon as we get back to the lair, the reality of our situation will consume us all once more, and we’ll forget those few moments of happiness we shared on the cliffside. Ones we may never get to experience again.

When we finally make it back to the small clearing in the forest, it’s too soon. We lower to the ground, an ominous stillness hanging heavy in the air as the wind is snuffed out, replaced with a harmonic tinkling noise as the leaves at the tops of the welwigs rustle in the breeze.

Not wanting to stay out here in the open, we hurry toward the entrance of the tunnel, pushing Dagny through before the rest of us follow. One by one, we step into the circular room waiting at the base of the passage, blinking rapidly to adjust to the light glowing from the sconces on the carved walls.

The first thing I notice is Kaebl is standing at the center of the room. The second—and far more frightening—is the molten glow of rage in his eyes. The golden light casts harsh shadows along the panes of his face while highlighting the deep scowl creasing the corners of his mouth, making him appear far more tense than usual.

And just where did you run off to?

Before any of us can explain, Malice steps forward, his lips tipping into an answering smirk. “If you’re angry you got left out, you can just say that.”

Kaebl’s frown deepens. I’m not angry you left without me. I’m pissed you left at all. His gaze turns to Malice, his eyes narrowing in a deadly glare. Especially you. I never expected you to risk Dagny in this way. If Slaine’s scouts saw you⁠—

“But they didn’t,” Roark interrupts, his tone soft in an attempt to prevent a fight from breaking out. “We were careful. Nothing happened to her. She’s safe, Kaebl.”

Shadows spread from the corners of his eyes, infecting the molten gold with inky, swirling tendrils of rage. That doesn’t matter! You took her away! You want to keep her from me! He takes a step toward Malice with deadly intent, his muscles shuddering as the last thread of control snaps and his inner demon bursts free. Just before he strikes, Dagny wrestles free of Cyprien’s hold, her body a blur of motion as she races to stand between the two demons.

“Stop it!” she yells, pushing her palms into Kaebl’s chest. “Stop fighting! This is stupid! No one is taking me away from you, Kaebl. No one.”