The skin between his eyebrows creased. “Of course.”

“Please can I borrow some books on magic?” I pulled out the big guns—the baby-blue puppy eyes. “Since I’m being forced to stay in and all, I think it’s only fair that I’m offered entertainment. A consolation prize, if you will.”

There was a beat of silence before Flick threw his head back and barked a singular “Ha” at the ceiling. He patted Zadok’s shoulder. “Definitely your son.”

Zadok shook his head fondly, eying me with a sense of admiration. “I will gather the materials and bring them to you tomorrow morning. Deal?”

I nodded.

Flick tapped his leg. “Leaf, come on.”

Slow as could be, the little beast lifted her head, giving him what could only be described as a scathing once-over, but ultimately, she decided to obey.

Zadok smiled at me as he retreated, but missed his footing as he turned toward the door. Luckily, Flick had anticipated his clumsiness, and reached out one-handed to steady him, a mildly exasperated sigh flaring his nostrils. I couldn’t help but grin to myself at the familiar scene, peering up at Cair from the corner of my eye to find he was already sending me a knowing look.

No DNA test needed.

The door closed, and I let out a slow breath, giving myself a minute to just be. A yawn disturbed my plan to chat Cair’s ear off, spending an hour rehashing everything he’d been present for. I liked to go over things multiple times to make sure I was on the right page. Mostly I wanted to rebel against the order to go to bed, to prove I could stay awake, but I wasn’t fooling anyone.

But seriously, how can I be dead for twelve hours and still be so tired?

Cair helped me shuffle down the bed until I was once again lying on my back. He tucked me in, making sure I was comfortable before planting a kiss on my cheek and settling in beside me—on top of the covers, but my eyelids were suddenly too heavy for me to query it. He played with my hair, exactly how I liked it, huffing a soft laugh when I nudged his fingers for rougher scritches.

“I love you too,” he said, voice a silky-smooth murmur. I gazed up at him, my brow furrowed in confusion. “It was the last words you said to me before your eyes closed in that meadow, and I didn’t get to say them back.”

Realization dawned, and I smiled. “I know you do.”

“Forgive me. If I had listened to you… If I had⁠—”