And somewhere along the way, Dex had come back into her life, into her heart. He’d carved out a space just big enough for him.

Could she love them all—her crew and Dex? Could she open herself up to the threat of pain that would come when she inevitably lost him, too?

People didn’t stick around in Andi’s life. So she’d gotten used to running.

The problem with Dex was that he was too damned stubborn to stop chasing after her. Even when she’d driven a knife into his chest and begged him to quit.

Andi looked up as a school of smaller, more brilliant needlefish arrived, their outlines like bursts of fireworks on display. The entire cavern flashed and lit up with their colors, and the crowd watched in reverence as they spun and danced in the water beyond.

“If you go to Arcardius, I’m going with you,” Dex said suddenly, taking Andi’s hand.

She turned to him, a question in her gray eyes. “I have no plan. I have no guarantee that I’ll survive this. That we’ll survive this.”

His grip was warm and so familiar. “I know that. But I learned, ages ago, that when you put your mind to something, no one can tear you away from it. So if you’re going...then I’m going, too. We’ll free the girls, and then we’ll find a way to shut down that weapons network from the inside. Just like Klaren said.”

“I can’t ask that of you,” Andi said. “If you want to run, find somewhere safe...” But she knew there was nowhere safe. Not anymore.

His eyes were fierce and determined as he said, “You are my safety. Andi, we’re two of the most unlovable people in this galaxy. And yet somehow we found each other.”

She wanted to laugh at that, at the sincerity and pure Dexness of that statement. But he kept going.

“I intend to see to it that you live through this mission. So that when all is said and done, after we burn that mind-robbing witch and her brother to the ground, I can finally give you the life I’ve always wanted to give you. The adventures I always promised you.”

“I don’t need you to give me anything,” Andi said. “I can happily take it for myself.”

“You’re right,” Dex said. “You don’t. But I’d like to try anyway.”

“Okay,” Andi whispered. “How about we start with—”

He pulled her to him, pressing his lips against hers.

They hadn’t touched, hadn’t been close, in so long. But she found herself turning molten in his arms, found herself desperate for more of him as she wrapped her fingers in his hair and every part of her became a flame.