“That Nephele’s a smart girl,” Lady Galanis said. “What were you doing in the barn?”

Ephyra did not think it wise to admit she was stealing. “Waiting out the storm.”

“Well, please, let me offer you a dry place to stay the rest of the night,” Lady Galanis said. “It’s the least I can do.”

Ephyra shook her head. “Thanks, but I have people to get back to. Friends.” The word felt strange on her tongue.

“Are you sure?” Lady Galanis asked. “There’s nothing I can do to thank you for healing me?”

Ephyra opened her mouth to refuse again, and then thought better of it. “Actually, there is something.”

Beru was outside the tent when Ephyra arrived back at camp carrying a pack full of food, clothing, and blankets gifted by Lady Galanis.

It wasn’t yet dawn, so Ephyra was fairly certain Beru hadn’t simply woken early. And from her tightly crossed arms and the set of her shoulders, it was clear she was waiting for Ephyra.

She opened her mouth as she spotted Ephyra, but before she could speak, Nephele rushed out of the tent, Khepri at her heels.

“What happened?” Nephele asked.

“Dracon Galanis will never bother you or your family again.”

Beru’s gaze whipped toward her. “You killed him?”

Her voice was sharp, accusatory. Ephyra supposed she deserved that, but it still stung. There was some part of Beru that was all too ready to believe the worst of Ephyra.

“He’s alive,” Ephyra said, looking at Nephele instead of Beru. “But you have my word. You and your sister are safe and so is the rest of your village. From him, at least. Lady Galanis will do everything she can to protect you all from the Witnesses, too.”

“Lady Galanis?” Nephele asked, her forehead creased with confusion. “You mean—”

“She’s back in charge,” Ephyra replied. “All healed up.”

Nephele stared at her. “You did this?”

Ephyra nodded. “It’s safe to go home. I promise. Go back to your family.”

“I’ll take her,” Khepri volunteered.

Nephele was still looking at Ephyra. “I can’t … I can never repay you.”

Ephyra smiled weakly. “It’s not your debt, kid. It’s mine. Just … keep yourself safe. Your sister, too. I know you thought you were doing the right thing by leaving, but … you gotta stick together, all right?”

“Right.”

Nephele gave a little wave and then followed Khepri back toward the farms, the sky lightening ahead of them.

Beru didn’t move for a long moment, staring at Ephyra with her arms crossed.