When her chin trembled, she retreated to a deep, hidden chamber of her mind. The safest place for her. A dreamland without thoughts or memories, words no longer needed.

As they marched on, she lost track of time. At some point, Kaysar drew her out of seclusion, beseeching, “Tell me how I can help you.”

His anguished desperation pulled a response to the edge of her tongue. Or had he used his glamara? Either way, she resisted the urge to speak and won. Say nothing.

A group of pixies flew past, snagging Kaysar’s attention.

Dread prickled her nape. There are no better troublemakers than pixies, her mother once said. They’re thieves, the lot of them. You see one, you go in the opposite direction.

Homesickness assaulted every cell in her body. Miss you so much, Momma.

“One second, love.” Her brother halted and released her to study the map he’d drawn on his forearm using a metal claw and blood-ink. A necessity. No one survived the winding maze of gnarled trees, invisible interrealm doorways, fae-hungry trolls, organ-starved centaurs and poisonous foliage without aid.

He sucked in a breath, strain emanating from him. The tips of his pointed ears twitched. Did he hear something?

He dropped into a crouch, pulling Viori down with him. When seconds ticked by without incident, he straightened enough to pull her to her feet, and swept her in the opposite direction.

Her stomach’s growl stopped him. Looking wrecked, he shifted his gaze between Viori and the path they’d abandoned. With a curse, he reversed course, steering her toward the brook. Specifically, a knotted patch of poisonvine with a hollow center.

The sweetest scent coated her airways, courtesy of the foliage. Her brother encouraged her to sit amid the mess without brushing against it, then settled Drendall in her lap.

“You know I’ll always protect you, yes?” Bleak eyes searched hers. “Stay here and remain unmoving.” He whispered the command as he placed the satchel filled with their meager belongings at her feet. “I’ll find out what’s going on. While I’m gone, I want you to remember how much I love you. All right? I’ll return shortly.”

The admission of love heaped buckets of coal upon her guilt.

Cupping her cheeks, he kissed her brow. Then he kissed Drendall’s brow and darted off, never looking back.

Viori yearned to shout for his immediate return. As much as she hated being a drain on Kaysar’s life, she hated being without him. He and Drendall were her everything.

Say. Nothing.

Hours ticked by, sunlight waning. Finally, full darkness arrived, cloaking the forest in writhing shadows and bringing bone-numbing cold. Tremors plagued her. Her teeth chattered, her thin dress no match for the weather. Howls and growls reached her ears, and her gaze darted. But she didn’t stray from her spot.

Where was Kaysar? Why hadn’t he come back yet? When would he return?