He stared at me a moment. “That was...ages ago. Another lifetime. I can’t even remember what I ate this morning.”

“Start with anything unusual, especially when Tohon was around. What struck you as odd.”

Ryne leaned back in his chair. “Tohon was civil to me. Considering how livid he’d been when the headmaster had announced the king for our class, I was surprised at his change in attitude. Tohon hadn’t been one to forgive and forget. But then I’d assumed he’d matured in the past year.”

“Did he prick you or scratch you by accident? Or invite you to share a meal with him?”

“No, he didn’t touch me.” Ryne gave me a sardonic smile. “I was smart enough to keep out of his reach. Once we’d learned of his life magic, we all avoided his touch. As for meals, we attended a few banquets together, but so did all the returning alumni.”

“Did he give you anything? Cologne? Candy? Wine?” I asked.

“Not that I can recall.”

“Did you eat something you’ve never had before? A delicacy or rare dish?”

Ryne shook his head. “Sorry, Avry. Nothing stands out.”

Too bad. Guess I’d have to wait and ask Kerrick when he returned. I stood. “If you do remember something later—”

“I will let you know. It’ll probably be in the middle of the night. My thoughts churn rather chaotically when I’m trying to sleep and odd ideas or forgotten memories pop out without warning, waking me.”

My healer instincts kicked in. “I could give you a very mild sleeping draft that would ease the chaotic thoughts while still allowing you to be roused if needed.”

“Oh, no. Those ideas are the best. I wouldn’t want to stop them.”

“All right. Feel free to wake me if a memory about the reunion pops.”

“Will do. Oh, and that reminds me. How are your nightmares? Are you still dreaming of Tohon?”

“Yes. But only when I’m not with Kerrick.” They’d started again a few days after he left.

“Sorry to hear that.”

“Me, too.” I stepped away, but paused as a soldier arrived. He’d drawn his sword and he kept glancing at the cave’s entrance. Alarm shot through me. The soldier appeared to be terrified.

“My lord, you have a...visitor.” The man swallowed.

“Who is it?” Ryne asked.

“I...we...don’t know. He said—”

A commotion at the cave’s entrance interrupted the man. Sunlight was blocked as a knot of guards rushed after a huge man, who seemed to pay them no mind even though they were well armed and shouted for him to halt. He strode toward Ryne.