Corinthia…, Perfidy started, preparing to relay Cainan’s message.

I heard.

Ye cain hear whut I hear?

Yes. Eventually you’ll be able to hear what I hear, too.

Perfidy wished she had a moment to bask in the truth and wonder of that statement, but everything was happening too fast. If ye heard him, does that mean ye’ll take us both to Comman Dur?

Why should I? I don’ know this man nor his daughter. And Finfalla doesn’t have the only forest in the world. We can leave, go elsewhere, somewhere free from human drama and their insistence on fighting their bloody wars.

For a raw and exciting moment, Perfidy could imagine the future Corinthia was describing. Leaving Finfalla, a place of sorrow. Being free, the wind at their backs, making a new home wherever they happened to be. And yet, something gave her pause, a truth she only realized once the thought had formed in her consciousness.

I don’ want to leave.

Why not? What has Finfalla ever done for you?

I—I don’ know, but I think I’m s’posed to stay here. I think I’m s’posed to be a part of this.

You think, or you know?

Both mebbe? All I know is there needs to be a reason this is all happenin’ to me. There needs to be a reason I’m out here in the woods talkin’ to a godsdamn bloodpanther an’ a crippled ol’ man who helped me dig up fancy ’shrooms in the dark.

Fine.

Fine?

Yes. I’ll take you both. Because you’re my bloodbond, and this seems to matter to you, though I can’t fathom why. And if it matters to you, I’ll try to make it matter to me too.

Thank ye.

You’re welcome. Now you might as well come outside. I’m waiting, and I’d rather not have to slash any of your friends’ throats if they happen to stumble outside for a midnight stroll.

Perfidy didn’t need to be told twice. “Cainan,” she said excitedly.

“She agreed?” he said, reading the expression on her face.

She nodded. “We’re leavin’ immediately. C’mon.”

She helped him to his feet, slung his arm over her shoulders, and, together, they exited the shack.

Only to stop, Perfidy’s mouth falling open at the vision of perfection that stood before them, as unmoving as if she was a statue. Even through the gloom, her dark fur was so sleek it might’ve been painted on, her unblinking eyes like golden orbs. For some reason Perfidy wasn’t at all surprised that Corinthia had also acquired a third gold leaf, positioned on her forehead exactly where her own had appeared.

Are you going to stand there and gawk at my beauty all night or climb on my back?

Ye are…beautiful, Perfidy said.

Obviously.

Perfidy moved toward her, slowed by Cainan’s hobbling form tethered to her side. Reached her, the bloodpanther so large and muscled it made Perfidy’s heart beat faster in her chest.

“Ye are…,” Perfidy started to say aloud.