Tristam’s body went rigid as his eyes fell on Flick’s hand. There was anger in his face, and for a moment none of them breathed. Then Tristam exhaled, and all his strength seemed to leave him. His voice was thick with exhaustion when he spoke.

“I’m sorry for your loss, Faxon.” His use of Flick’s real name startled Kyra. “I’m bound by oath as a knight to watch Kyra and keep her under Palace custody. But even if I weren’t, it’s the safest place for her right now. The Guild has tried to kill her once. They must not know that she’s alive.”

Kyra snapped out of her stupor. “But what about them?” she asked, gesturing to Flick and the girls. “They’re not safe either.”

There was a long pause, then Tristam finally spoke. “Very well.” He turned to Flick, who was staring blankly at the smoldering ruins. “Come with us. You and the girls will be safer there. We failed once to protect you. I’d like to do better, if you’ll let me.”

It was a somber walk back, picking their way through the invasion’s aftermath. At first, Kyra attempted to shield Idalee and Lettie from the worst of the carnage, but she soon gave up. There was just so much. In bits and pieces, when the girls were out of earshot, she filled Flick in on the events since her capture.

No one challenged them upon entering the Palace. Although the fire had not breached the walls, the injured were already pouring in. A tent had been set up in the main courtyard, and healers picked their way amongst the victims.

As they stepped deeper into the compound, Flick became noticeably tense, gaze moving suspiciously in every direction. Tristam too changed from the young man who’d joked with Kyra in the forest, taking on the weight and authority of a knight of Forge. The easy camaraderie they’d shared just hours before fell away, and she was once again very aware that she was his prisoner. Tristam led Kyra and her friends to a spare room, where Idalee and Lettie collapsed almost immediately, too tired even to be distracted by the fine furniture. Kyra kissed their foreheads, and Flick tucked blankets around them. When they closed the door behind them, Kyra looked questioningly at Tristam. After roaming the city and forest unsupervised, she wasn’t sure where she was supposed to go.

“Let’s put you back in Ilona’s patient room,” Tristam said reluctantly. Kyra wondered if he also found the Palace walls stifling. “I have to keep you under guard while you’re in the Palace. Flick can stay in one of the rooms here.”

“I’d like to speak with Flick,” she said.

Tristam thought briefly, then nodded. “You can have a few moments after we get to your room.”