Dev’s mouth twitched and he almost smiled, but he was feeling something strange inside of him too. He was worried about Thisbe, but it was more than that. Like the three of them had become a family in the time they’d spent here in this dilapidated palace. It was something Dev had never had before. And now that Thisbe was gone, he experienced a loneliness that was unlike what he’d felt in the past. Worse than when Shanti had died. This was much sharper. Deeper. More personal. He was as glad to have Fifer by his side as she was to have him. He was aware of a new level of emotion that he’d never encountered before, and he wasn’t quite sure what to do with it. It threatened to bubble out and spill all over the library if he wasn’t careful to rein it in.

Back at the castle, if he’d ever let his emotions out, he’d have been punished or ridiculed. But Thisbe and Fifer carried no judgment about such things. They cried freely when they felt like crying. And when Dev had lost it in the catacombs, Thisbe had accepted it as if it were normal. It felt liberating and somehow stifling all at once. Like, now that it was okay to cry or shout or be angry, he had some burden to do it. Yet he still felt the urge to batten it down.

He turned away without saying anything and went over to his sofa, leaving Fifer puzzled as she watched him go. She knew Dev had been raised differently than she had been. But she’d expected some sort of a response. After all, she’d just said something quite kind to him. It made her wonder if maybe he didn’t want to be here with her… or maybe, after all he’d been through, he was just afraid of getting close to anyone ever again.

In the morning Fifer went to the desk according to the plan they’d finally decided on. She removed one of the send spell components from her vest, took out the pencil that accompanied it, and wrote:

Dear Florence,

I only have two send components and didn’t want to use one until it was absolutely necessary. Unfortunately, that time has come. I am sickened to have to tell you that Thisbe has joined the Revinir’s side—she stole away during the night. Please come if you can. I’m trapped at Ashguard’s palace surrounded by dragons. Maiven will know how to find it. Just… please. Come.

Your friend,

Fifer

Fifer showed the note to Dev. “Does that look right? It’s time to send it.”