Tristam glanced in the direction of the campfire. “Let’s hope, for all of our sakes, that James’s way is not the only way.” He pushed off from the tree and turned to face her. His eyes were solemn in the firelight. “I don’t regret disobeying the Council, and tomorrow brings what it will. But I want to apologize.”

He was still able to surprise her. “Apologize? For what?”

“For misjudging you at the beginning. For assuming the worst. I wonder, if we had met under different circumstances…”

Kyra wished he’d stop talking as if they were preparing for their funerals. She forced a smile. “I wasn’t exactly on my best behavior either, but there’s no reason we can’t start anew.”

He smiled. A genuine smile that took the exhaustion off his face. “I’m glad you think so.”

A lock of hair had fallen across Kyra’s forehead, and Tristam brushed it away, though he faltered at the end, as if realizing the intimacy of his gesture. For a moment, neither of them breathed. Then Kyra stepped toward him, and it was with something like relief that Tristam cupped the nape of her neck and coaxed her even closer. Strangely enough, it reminded Kyra of the time she’d shown up poisoned on his doorstep, when he’d tipped her face to the light. But this time she was lucid enough to be acutely aware of his fingers buried in her hair, the newly familiar scent of his skin. And there was something in his eyes that hadn’t been there before. Had it only been a few weeks ago when they’d been enemies? But she trusted him now, after all this.

She closed her eyes. His lips, when they touched hers, were soft. Hesitant at first, but growing more confident as she responded. Kyra melted into him, savoring the way his arms tightened around her waist and losing herself in the feel of him. For the moment, at least, she could forget about what would happen tomorrow.

Suddenly, Tristam went still. Confused, Kyra looked up. He was looking past Kyra, and his expression was guarded. Kyra followed his gaze to the campfire behind her. Czern, in cat form, lay by the fire, and James, still tied to a tree, was looking straight in their direction. Kyra turned back to Tristam. Their arms were still interlaced, and she wished she could retrieve the moment. But it was gone.

Tristam took one last look toward the fire and reluctantly backed away, letting out a shaky breath. “I should go make preparations for tomorrow,” he said. “Try to get some rest.” He touched the backs of his fingers lightly to her cheek, and then disappeared into the forest.